Wella Announces the Finalists of Wella Trend Vision Awards
This year’s awards centered around the Monochromatic trend, which is rooted in minimalism and intentional by design.
by Anne Moratto
Product Spotlight: Gluten-Free Haircare
Gluten-free isn’t just buzzing in the food world; gluten-free products and brands are becoming increasingly popular for clients with sensitivities or simply a preference to nix the g-word from their lives.If you think gluten-free diets ...
Lauren Quick・Contributor
3 min to read
Gluten-free isn’t just buzzing in the food world; gluten-free products and brands are becoming increasingly popular for clients with sensitivities or simply a preference to nix the g-word from their lives.
If you think gluten-free diets seem to have come out of nowhere, you’re kind of right. Eliminating gluten from food has sprouted a 27-percent growth in the gluten-free industry, according to Fitness Magazine. The cut-down has expanded outside of just those individuals with celiac disease, or similar sensitivities and allergies; now the beauty industry is touting increasingly long lists of what ingredients their products are free of, and gluten has joined parabens, sulfates and more.
What’s the big deal?
“Roughly one percent of the population worldwide is affected by celiac disease, which is characterized by gluten intolerance,” says Henry Owegi, Malibu Wellness Laboratories cosmetic chemist/manager of regulatory and compliance for the Malibu C brand. “Individuals suffering from this disease experience symptoms due to the ingestion of gluten, which results in damage to their small intestines that in turn affects other organs and lends itself to a plethora of symptoms. Individuals with celiac disease also avoid other non-dietary products containing gluten that could accidently be ingested, such as cosmetics.”
To be clear, gluten-free products typically don’t focus on a specific hair type or need, but rather the user of the product. For Pravana, eliminating gluten from its care and styling ranges was a matter of providing peace of mind to stylist and clients alike.
“Pravana launched the Nevo haircare line in 2012, and since then, the line has expanded to include styling products,” says Pravana Director of Marketing Irene Seferian. “Since its inception, the line has been gluten-free in order to provide hair products that everyone—from professional stylists to consumer clients—could enjoy free of concerns.”
How gluten works
Gluten remains in many products for a perfectly good reason: it provides protein, according to Keila Rokkan, educator for Verb Products, which are all gluten-free.
“To put it simply, gluten acts as a less expensive, non-animal alternative to add protein, which helps strengthen the hair follicles,” Rokkan says. “However, there are several other alternatives that still strengthen hair, help add moisture and don’t involve gluten. We chose to specifically use hydrolyzed quinoa protein that still helps strengthen while helping smooth and condition hair.”
Other functions of gluten include conditioning, moisturizing and volumizing, Owegi says. Plant-based proteins, such as the hydrolyzed quinoa protein that Verb uses, are common substitutes for gluten because they provide many of the same benefits.
“Pravana chooses to use soy and cottonseed proteins that strengthen the hair and leave it feeling healthy without compromising the health of the user who might have allergies or intolerances to gluten,” Seferian says.
The choice is yours
Gluten continues to make headlines. Although it’s not ingested when used in a beauty product, some salons opt to carry a gluten-free line simply to ensure they can cater to any client or stylist, gluten concerns or not.
“From the very beginning, we knew we wanted to create a haircare line that was clean, effective and provided an alternative option to those who need (or choose) to live a gluten-free life,” Rokkan says. “If we could easily keep this ingredient out of our products and help a segment of people… why not?”
More In The Know
The Doux Launches Roblox Hair Salon Game Celebrating Textured Hair and Entrepreneurship
Haircare brand The Doux has launched “My Salon Empire,” a free-to-play salon management game on Roblox, helping the next generation celebrate the diversity of textured hair and explore salon entrepreneurship.
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric Achieves Record-Breaking Success in Historic Partnership Year
The show reported 30% attendance growth. It felt that way. This event for the southwest professional beauty community had heart, spice, and something for everyone.
by Anne Moratto
House of Wella Los Angeles Brings Fall/Winter 2026 Trends to the Stage and Innovation to the Salon
Wella artists presented the Monochromatic trend movement, introduced new Pure Perfection color and Sebastian styling innovations, while the Wella team created interactive fun throughout Wella Studio in Los Angeles.
by Anne Moratto
The Industry Remembers and Mourns Educator and Artist Dominique LyVar
Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.
by Angela Reich
Brad Johns Dies at 70: A Friend Remembers the Celebrated Celebrity Colorist
Known for his buttery blondes and a technique for highlighting hair with more precision that he called chunking, Brad Johns died on August 27. His friend and fellow colorist, David Stanko, shares thoughts on his talented colleague and close friend.
by Anne Moratto
Salon Today 2026 Technology Guide
As technology evolves at an accelerated rate, you want to make sure you have the best in your business toolkit to help you grow sales, motivate your team, communicate with your current and future clientele, and streamline your managerial tasks. The 2026 SALON TODAY Technology Solutions Guide is designed to help you navigate today's growing landscape of salon and spa technology. In this guide, you'll find a curated look at more than 50 of the latest software platforms, digital solutions, and innovative features to help you compare options and identify the best fit for your business.
Looking Inward: With Community at Its Heart, Davines Reinvents Its Pro Channel for North America
The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.
by Anne Moratto
RÜTE Wash Launches Shower Cap Designed for Crown Washing and Hair Extensions
RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.
by Anne Moratto
Premiere San Antonio Returns as a Must-Attend Beauty Trade Show in the Southwest
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
by Anne Moratto
MODERN SALON Boot Camp Is Coming to Philadelphia
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
by Anne Moratto
Reddit Releases Its First Beauty-Specific Report: Conversations Around Beauty, Hair, Nail, and Skincare
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
by Anne Moratto
Entries Are Open for Wella Professionals’ Trend Vision Awards 2026
Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.
by Anne Moratto
Black Beauty Roster Hosts Beauty Expo Presented by SalonCentric in NYC
The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.
by Staff
Pro Beauty Pulse: A Monthly View of Industry Confidence
The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.
by Stacey Soble
ASCP, ISPA and PBA Receive 2026 Power of Associations Award for Esthetics Licensure Compact
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
by Stacey Soble
In Dubai, Clients Visit the Salon Every Week. Here’s What That Market Can Teach You
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai