Image of John Paul DeJoria courtesy Scott McDermott
Paul Mitchell co-founder shared hair tips and thoughts on the industry during a recent visit to Baton Rouge’s Vanguard College of Cosmetology
As told to April Capochino Myers
Do you see any new innovations or technologies being released in the hair industry in the coming years? Yes. Not just on our hair care products that work a little faster and dry quicker, but on the tools we’re coming out with. … There’s new technology that creates less damage to the hair and dries the hair faster with less damage and more shine.
How have Paul Mitchell products changed in the last 35 years? [With] technological breakthroughs, both natural as well as in organic chemistry, new things come along where something happens quicker and faster with the product on the hair. We work with four different laboratories and hairstylists to see what the hairstylist needs. … We come out with something and send it out and make sure all of the hairstylists like it—99% of them—or we won’t come out with it. …. But one thing that’s never changed is that we make products strictly for the beauty industry. If ever you see a Paul Mitchell product in any drugstore or supermarket it is either counterfeit or for what they call the black/gray market. We don’t put it there. We only sell to salons.
What is your favorite hair product?
The Conditioner. I came out with it 35 years ago, and I still use it. It’s a leave-in conditioner that’s incredible.
You live in Austin and are used to the heat and humidity like we are in Louisiana. What hair tips do you have for managing hair in the hot Louisiana summer time? Go to your professional hair stylist, and depending on the length of your hair and the style, we have products that fight humidity. They will tell you what product to use. In some cases it could be a hairspray, in some cases it could be a fixative where it’s a little more resistant to the humidity and the style stays longer.
What hair trends do you see for spring and summer? More color being used than ever before. People of all ages are going in and wanting a little bit of color, some of it being temporary, some of it woven in and some of it becoming permanent. They have a little streak of blue or pink or even woven in. Sometimes what you see, which is really unique, is they take a layer of hair and color it and let it fold below the rest of their hair so when they shake their hair there’s a little color coming from the inside.
What are some of the changing trends for men? I see men’s hair over the last decade getting shorter but more stylish. Instead of the old part-look and combing it back, you see them spiking their hair out, maybe a little bit on the top or on the sides. And you see people in more mature jobs doing the same thing. Where it used to be more conservative—part your hair, show up in your suit and ties—now they’re getting a little bit more independent.
There’s always a debate on whether you should wash your hair once or twice per week or every day. What are your thoughts on that? If you have really good products like Paul Mitchell products, you can wash your hair every day. And because Paul Mitchell products shampoo right out of your hair, you can use the styling products every day too if you want to. But I would suggest they go to a professional hairstylist and ask what products they should use to maintain their look and how to use [them].
About John Paul DeJoria
John Paul DeJoria, 71, co-founded Paul Mitchell company in 1980 after he and his partner, late hairstylist Cyril Thomson “Paul” Mitchell, chipped in $350 each. DeJoria was homeless and living in his car at the time. Their investment launched a global salon hair company, John Paul Mitchell Systems, which produces more than 90 products sold in more than 90 countries. In 1989, the American billionaire also co-founded The Patron Spirits Company.
Where to get Paul Mitchell products
Several Baton Rouge salons use the brand’s hair products. Visit locator.paulmitchell.com to find them.
