On The Bright Side

I shed a tear this morning over the realization that my beloved/all-time favorite/after 20 years I finally found the perfect one lipstick had been discontinued.  After running between multiple stores at the mall last night, wondering why they were all out of stock, I went online this morning to purchase it.  Ten tabs later, as I continued to refresh the browser in a state of disbelief, it slowly sunk in.  The lipstick itself wasn't discontinued, just my shade, which I have to admit I took as a personal affront.  So now the search begins for a new lipstick.

It's happened to all of us.  That perfect product that never lets us down is suddenly gone.  When I found out that Rene Furterer was reformulating the popular Fioravanti Shine line, I was very concerned.  People love that line, the Clarify & Shine Rinse in particular.  How was I going to break the news to our clients when they reach toward that empty space on the shelf, and then turn to me with a panicked expression?  How do I explain that it's gone, but I don't know why?

And, so, when the line was reintroduced recently as Lumicia Illuminating Shine hair care, I was skeptical.  The bottle was pink instead of green.  The scent was different - nice, but different.  Unsure, I hesitated to write about it.  I decided to wait until I had feedback from stylists and clients.

Well, it turns out that people like it.  They like it very much.  The Fioravanti complex of 14 plant extracts is still included in the line, as is the Acerola cherry vinegar.  But Lumicia also features vitamin B5 plus anti-static cationic conditioners, making it more moisturizing than the previous version and great for everyday use.  With a shampoo, conditioner, and a shine rinse that now comes in a spray bottle to allow for easier application, Lumicia can be used to preserve color and remove build-up.

After using it myself, I have to agree that it's a great line.  My hair feels healthy and soft, and has so much shine.  Which is exactly what I need to see as I look at myself in the mirror all afternoon at Sephora, trying on every tube of lipstick.