John Frieda Products

John Frieda represents one of Britain's most successful haircare exports, transforming from a London salon into a global brand synonymous with targeted hair solutions. Founded on the revolutionary concept of salon-calibre products expertly tailored for specific hair concerns, John Frieda has spent over three decades helping consumers achieve professional results at home. The brand's colour-specific and concern-focused ranges have earned devoted followings among blondes, brunettes, redheads, and anyone battling frizz. The John Frieda story begins with its namesake founder, John Frieda (born Alan Howard Frieda on 9 July 1951), a third-generation British hairstylist whose grandfather worked as a barber on Fleet Street. After apprenticing at the legendary Leonard salon in London during the late 1960s, Frieda opened his first salon with fellow stylist Nicky Clarke in 1976. He launched his namesake John Frieda salon in London in 1979, establishing himself among Britain's elite celebrity hairdressers with a client list that would eventually include Diana, Princess of Wales. The transition from salon services to consumer products began in 1988 when Frieda started selling a small haircare line through Boots, the British pharmacy chain. The formal company, John Frieda Professional Hair Care Inc., was established in 1989. The pivotal moment came in 1990 when Frieda partnered with Gail Federici, formerly Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at Conair, to launch Frizz-Ease in the United States. This anti-frizz serum addressed a universal hair concern that mainstream brands had largely ignored, becoming an instant sensation. John Frieda's ownership changed significantly in August 2002 when Frieda and Federici agreed to sell John Frieda Professional to Kao Corporation's subsidiary, The Andrew Jergens Company, for $450 million. John Frieda's London salons were not included in the deal, remaining independently owned. Kao Corporation, Japan's leading manufacturer of personal care, laundry, and cleaning products, was actively expanding its beauty portfolio. The acquisition followed Kao's unsuccessful bid for Clairol, which was ultimately acquired by Procter & Gamble. Today, John Frieda operates as part of Kao Brands Company (formerly Andrew Jergens Company), benefiting from Kao's substantial research and development capabilities whilst maintaining its British salon heritage. As of 2025, The Sunday Times estimated John Frieda personally at £150 million, reflecting the brand's commercial success. The Frizz Ease range remains the brand's flagship collection, addressing the needs of those with unruly, frizzy hair. The Original Serum, launched in 1990, pioneered the hair serum category and remains a bestseller over three decades later. The range has expanded to include shampoos, conditioners, mousses, sprays, and styling products all designed to smooth and control frizz. Dream Curls products specifically target curly-haired consumers seeking definition without crunchiness. The technology focuses on humidity resistance and long-lasting smoothness, providing salon-quality results accessible to everyday consumers. Sheer Blonde represents the brand's revolutionary approach to colour-specific haircare, launched in 1998. Rather than offering generic products, John Frieda recognised that blonde hair has unique needs: maintaining brightness, preventing brassiness, and enhancing tone. The range includes variations for different blonde shades, from platinum to honey. Sheer Blonde products contain optical brighteners and tone-correcting pigments that refresh colour between salon visits. The Blonde+ Repair sub-line addresses damage common in lightened hair. Violet Crush products counteract unwanted yellow tones, providing salon-style toning at home. Brilliant Brunette launched in 2004, bringing the same colour-specific philosophy to darker hair. Products enhance richness, add dimension, and prevent fade in brown hair. The range addresses concerns like dullness and lack of shine that can affect brunette hair. Rather than one-size-fits-all formulas, Brilliant Brunette recognises the diversity within brown hair, from warm chestnuts to cool espressos. Radiant Red followed in 2005, completing the core colour trio. Red hair, whether natural or dyed, fades faster than other colours, requiring specialised protection. Radiant Red products contain colour-protecting ingredients and tone-depositing pigments that refresh vibrancy. The range helps maintain salon colour between appointments. Beyond colour-specific ranges, John Frieda offers concern-focused collections. PROfiller+ addresses fine, thin hair with volumising and thickening formulas. Volume Lift provides body and bounce for flat, limp hair. Detox & Repair helps hair recover from styling damage and environmental stress. PRO Colour Revive offers colour-depositing conditioners that refresh specific shades. Precision Foam Colour enables at-home colouring with professional-quality results. Regarding ethical practices, John Frieda's cruelty-free status requires clarification. The brand is owned by Kao Corporation, and official third-party certification from organisations like Leaping Bunny or PETA should be verified. Some sources indicate that John Frieda products are not tested on animals, but consumers seeking definitively certified cruelty-free products should check current certifications directly with the brand or parent company. John Frieda products are widely available across UK retailers. Boots stocks comprehensive ranges as the brand's original retail partner. Supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons carry popular lines. Superdrug and other high street chemists offer extensive selections. Online retailers including Amazon and beauty specialists provide full range availability. Prices typically position between mass-market and premium salon brands, reflecting the professional salon heritage. When comparing John Frieda to competitors, the brand's specialisation distinguishes it from generic haircare. Against colour-specific competitors like Aussie or Schwarzkopf Live, John Frieda offers more sophisticated formulations backed by salon expertise. Compared to premium salon brands like Kérastase or Redken, John Frieda delivers accessible pricing whilst maintaining efficacy. The brand particularly excels in the anti-frizz category where Frizz Ease pioneered the segment. For UK shoppers seeking professional-grade haircare targeting specific concerns and hair colours, John Frieda delivers salon expertise in accessible retail formats. Whether you're maintaining blonde brightness, boosting brunette richness, preserving red vibrancy, or taming stubborn frizz, John Frieda offers targeted solutions developed by a master hairstylist. Using Grocefully to compare John Frieda prices across UK retailers ensures you find the best deals on these specialist haircare products.