A leading, artist-driven salon brand created for hairdressers has merged with a company with the professional heritage, resources and international network to grow it to the next level.

SalonQuest, LLC, the provider of Aquage and Biomega Haircare, has been acquired by the Professional Division of Connecticut-based Conair Corporation.

Conair, like Aquage, is a family-owned business that is deeply rooted in the salon industry. Conair is also the parent company of BaBylissPRO, a widely respected and recognized name in the salon business.

 “Conair and BaBylissPRO are technology-driven and customer focused,” said Ken Russo, senior vice-president, Professional Division of Conair Corporation. “Our success comes from innovative, high-quality products and an unwavering commitment to professional stylists and their clients. That focus drives our success and it will continue to do so with Aquage. We’re very excited to have this opportunity and look forward to a bright future.”

“The marriage of BaBylissPRO and Aquage is incredibly powerful,” said Alan Stockman, vice president and general manager, Professional Division of Conair Corporation. “It is our intention to invest aggressively in Aquage to fully unleash its potential – developing new products, entering new categories, and driving international expansion are just a few of the opportunities that we foresee.”

“The Aquage passion for delivering innovative styling and finishing products, meaningful education and powerful visual imagery remains the same,” stated Luis Alvarez, Aquage vice president and co-founder. “Aquage will continue to go to market as its own brand. Our mission to elevate the image of the professional industry, the hairdresser and the independent salon owner is unchanged.”

Aquage and Biomega products are available to consumers at fine salons nationwide. Beauty Systems Group (BSG),  Armstrong McCall and CosmoProf Stores will continue to distribute Aquage to licensed cosmetologists.

To help salon pros understand the benefits of the new relationship, Aquage and Conair leaders put together a helpful Q&A (see below). For more information on products, resources and education, visit the salon professional sections of aquage.com, babylissus.com and conair.com.

(From left) Luis Alvarez, Alan Stockman

AQUAGE AND CONAIR—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Q: Why did the owners of Aquage decide the company should be acquired by Conair?
A: Conair brings incredible synergies and investment potential to Aquage. We see expansion into new products, new categories and international markets, to name just a few opportunities. Conair is a global corporation with vast resources in product development, engineering, and manufacturing and can help energize Aquage growth. Conair is also parent to BaBylissPRO, world renowned for salon industry technology and quality as well as a focus on professional stylists and their clients.

Q: Will Aquage continue as an independent company?
A: Aquage will continue to operate as a free-standing brand, but is now part of Conair. It will share resources with Conair’s other professional lines including BaBylissPRO, Rusk and Satin Smooth. Our education team has been using BaBylissPRO appliances at shows and on our videos for several years. We love them and they even come in blue!

Q: Is Conair a publically owned company?
A: No, Conair is privately-held; just like Aquage it is a family-owned business. Conair was founded in 1959 and has deep roots in the professional salon business that remain to this day.

Q: I have heard rumors Aquage was no longer going to be a professional brand. Is that true?
A: Of course not!

Q: Does Aquage plan to keep fighting diversion?
A: Of course. Aquage has done a great job fighting diversion, keeping our brand one of the cleanest lines in the professional industry, and we plan to keep on fighting.

Q: Is the company still going to maintain its focus on independently-owned salons?
A: Aquage has always strived to and will continue to support the image and the success of the hairdresser and the independent salon owner.

Q: Will I still be able to order Aquage from my distributor sales consultant?
A: Yes, Aquage will continue to be available to licensed cosmetologists from Beauty Systems Group (BSG), Armstrong McCall and CosmoProf Stores.

Q: Will Aquage still do shows and Academies?
A: Yes. We actually plan on expanding our show and academy schedule for 2017. The new schedule will be released before the end of this year.

Q: We are an Aquage Elite Salon, will that program be continued?
A: Yes, we not only plan on continuing, but on improving the Elite Salon Rewards Program for 2017. After we receive your 3rd quarter purchases you will be notified of your current standing and what you need to purchase by year end to achieve the next level of benefits.

Q. What if I have more questions?
A. Email questions to info@aquage.com