Dyson Serves Up More Than Vacuums & Hair Tools

By Rea Lowery

What’s In A Mane?

Dyson has launched its new Omega nourishing hair care collection. Elegant? Yes. Evocative? Yes. Effective for all hair types? Allegedly. Let’s get some definitions out of the way so we’re speaking the same language first.

Whenever a trichologist, cosmetic scientist, cosmetologist, or someone who has worked in beauty marketing long enough hears “all hair types,” we pause. Because we know that hair texture is largely determined by genetics and how it grows out of the scalp.

Hair density refers to how many hairs grow per square inch of the scalp. So, theoretically a person can have high texture and low density, or low texture and high density. Most people fall into the medium/medium space, and let’s be honest: that’s who most products are designed for, since they have the biggest market share.

With that in mind, we also have to address Dyson’s controversy regarding their previous claims about their styling tools “for all hair types,” specifically because they were not, in fact, effective for “all hair types.”

The most common monosaccharide fat used in hair care is coconut oil, frequently incorporated for both its wide adaptability and availability... and we’re fatigued by it, honestly. Dyson’s website cites “OliD7” as a proprietary blend of long-chain monosaccharide fats to boost hair health internally, namely with Abyssinian oil. This excites us because it’s fairly innovative as far as ingredients go. While Dyson’s certainly not the first company to use it, it's still a step in the right direction because the industry needs more ingredient-led differentiators. It also plays into the anti-aging wellness lifestyle their consumer base flocks toward.

Where the pause holds its credibility has to do with the molecular size of these omega-rich oils. Different hair textures have the ability to take on different molecular weights. It’s not dissimilar to a purse’s capacity. You wouldn’t stuff a fanny pack the same way you would a work tote, right?

Argan and jojoba oils are smaller in their molecular size, so naturally they suit a lot of different hair textures, but each individual's hair texture will determine how much product is used. Similar to how your keys or earbuds can easily fit into the fanny pack or work tote.

Dyson’s OliD7 complex contains “sunflower oil, macadamia, abyssinian, avocado, olive, corn, and sesame oils," all of which are fantastic sources of omega oils that are healthy-hair forward and have medium to large molecular weights. While technically suited for "medium to high" textured hair types, the usage amount determines if it’s "universally" friendly, just like jojoba or argan oil.

And therein lies the conundrum for consumers.

Thankfully Dyson foresaw the potential for confusion and provided a variety of usage instructions and “how-to” tutorials.

Sunflowers & Sustainability

Sunflowers, wind farms, sustainability and a brand’s responsibility: what do they have in common? Secondary products and a hint of greenwashing! Let us explain. Dyson has sunflowers on their wind farms, which generate the power for their production. Applying the wisdom of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” methodology, there’s something called a secondary product.

Dyson likely planted the sunflower farm for a variety of good intentions, even if they had subsidiaries from the government to plant them. Whether it be to help solve the under-population of bees, finding a widely used plant hardy enough to withstand the billowing gusts from a wind farm, or simply for beauty? The fact that these flowers are being farmed most likely points to the second reason.

Sunflower oil can be used for a myriad of hair, skin, and cooking products. What they don’t use, they can sell. A win for the company, a win for consumers, and a win for the environment. We love to see it.

We'll leave you with one question. Are you adding to cart?