Shape, Squeezability, Stopper and Style – The four S’s of hair salon products

It takes a lot of work to build a successful brand. Take Nike for example. That respected swoosh didn't always carry the majesty it wields today. Before all the shoes and t-shirts, Nike was just the Greek goddess of victory. Is it coincidental that Nike, Inc. specializes in sports equipment and apparel, activities where victory is all that matters? Not hardly. Through a few effective and functional choices the Nike phenomenon swept the world.

The same sort of marketing magic can be conjured for nearly any kind of item, even hair salon products. Come in from the grungy soccer field and get sudsy with the four S's for effectively packaging and marketing hair salon products.

Shape
There are many bottle varieties on store shelves today. From the oval shaped, blaring blue Catwalk collection to the conical, neon pink and green Ego Boost from Bed Head. These shapes may set their items apart but a flashy appearance sometimes overshadows and disables a product's function.
Functional choice: Cylinder. This classic bottle style is simple (tall, slender and circular) and it gets the job done. With a shape conducive to the contours of a hand, hair salon products will function flawlessly through smooth handling and distribution. So, those cylinder-using shampoo companies really were on to something after all.

Squeezability
It's hard to sing sweet melodies in the shower when you're struggling to get the last bit of conditioner out of a bottle. Choose the right plastic and avoid setting your customers up for a similar epic fail ending to their bathroom musicals!
Functional choice: LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene). Durable, yet flexible and most importantly, squeezable, LDPE is the perfect option for hair salon products that will be used till the last drop.

Stopper
No one has used the word stopper for a hundred years, but for the sake of our S theme, just go with it. There are several options to choose from when it comes to dispensing lids, the most functional closure depends on the situation.
Functional choice: For home use items flip-top and disc-top caps are your best bet. Equipped to be opened with the use of one hand, it's a dream come true for speedy wash n' rinsers! Customers using hair salon products in large capacities may find a pump more appropriate and functional for frequent, quick and easily managed distribution.

Style
Successfully capturing style requires a balancing act between revealing the essence of the hair salon product (done through a screen print or label design delicately crafted by CPSD!) while also allowing the decoration to enhance the product (water proofing, color coding). Keep three things in mind when perfecting your hair salon product's style – target audience, symbolism and content presentation.
Functional choice: Audience – Are you selling to Vernon's old time barbershop in Nashville or to Ken Paves' hair salon in West Hollywood? Create an effective design that will appeal to your specified audience.
Symbolism “ Tresemme has me trained. Their green, Flawless Curls products are all I need. Consider simplifying the shopping experience through the use of coordinating symbols and or colors for each collection of hair salon products.

Content
Hook ˜em with your product's goods, but limit the spoiler alerts. Let the product speak for itself.

Keep the goddess Nike in mind as your product progresses toward a string of victories for Team You. Just remember the four S's “ shape, squeezability, stopper and style and you've got the win in the bag.

What do you love about your favorite hair salon products? Tell us what the experts are doing right in the comments!