In French, the word for hair is similar to the word for horse. Beginning French students often comb their horse or ride their hair. However, when picturing a beautiful mane of flowing hair, the image of a galloping horse, its own mane flying in the wind seems fitting and thus the similarity of the two words doesn’t seem as odd. Achieving this flowing mane becomes possible with two hair care products—Phyto and Mason Pearson.

Frenchman Patrick Alès, is the founder and innovator of Phyto hair care products. As a hairdresser in the 1960’s, Alès disliked the harsh products used in most salons. He developed a line of products based on botanical ingredients that nourish and condition the hair. Phyto products are sold online and are a featured product line at Sephora stores.

In 1885, Englishman Mason Pearson, invented the “pneumatic” rubber-cushion hairbrush. The design underwent changes in the 1920’s which survive to today’s models. Boar bristle tufts are key to distributing the hair’s natural oils from the scalp to the ends of the hair to increase natural suppleness, strength and shine. Since different hair types require different treatment, Mason Pearson offers three types of brushes in various sizes.