Beauty by Imagination, Ampro win Buyers’ Choice Awards at ECRM Hair Care program
Beauty by Imagination won the Drug Store News/ECRM Buyers’ Choice Award for its Twist Line of curly hair products at ECRM’s Hair Care & Multicultural Hair Program held in June. Ampro was a finalist for its Shine n’ Jam Magic Fingers Braid Gel.
The products were selected from dozens of entries submitted by participating suppliers. Buyers were able to evaluate each entry and cast their votes based on product packaging and innovation via the Drug Store News-branded Buyers’ Choice Awards section of the ECRM Connect platform.
“The two Buyers Choice Award Winners are a great example of the popularity of products for textured and braided hair,” said “Craig Chmielowicz, ECRM senior vice president of health and beauty care. “Both have innovative products featuring eye-catching packaging designs that will definitely catch a shopper’s attention at the shelf.”
New York-based Beauty by Imagination develops some of the industry’s most recognizable and innovative brands and products such as Goody, Wet Brush, Bio Ionic, Ouidad, Twist, Curls, Solano and Ace. These brands promise quality and innovation and are used by professionals and consumers alike.
Its Twist brand leverages BBI’s curl expertise and was developed to serve all curl types at an accessible price point, with all products retailing for under $12. Twist products are moisture-focused and fit into three moisture categories - essential, extra or ultimate — since waves, curls and coils need moisture to thrive. The products are designed to be mixed and matched across moisture levels for a fully customized routine. In addition, the products’ designs feature bold, graphic packaging to pop on shelf and create excitement at retail.
Memphis, Tenn.-based Ampro Industries was launched from the basement of Vogue Beauty and Barber Mart, a small beauty supply store located in downtown Memphis. It was there that the founder began manufacturing his own brand of hair products. In 1947, he named the line “Ampro,” which is short for “American Products.”
The company’s Shine n’ Jam Magic Fingers Braid Gel was created in 2019 in a partnership between Ampro and Stasha Harris, owner of Magic Fingers Studio in Brooklyn, N.Y. Stasha is the star of “The Braid Up,” which can be seen on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Cosmopolitan.com. Stasha, who immigrated from Trinidad in 2016 and is now a U.S. citizen, is also an editorial contributor to Cosmopolitan magazine and the creator of the braided styles in her episodes. Her respect and devotion to Shine n’ Jam products resulted in this collaboration to create products for the braiding community. Additions to the line include a 4 oz Edge Gel product, an 11.5 oz Oil Sheen and a 12 oz Setting Mousse. Most recently, Ampro added a salon size 16 oz Braiding Gel to the mix.