When it launched in 1995, Fekkai’s Brilliant Glossing Styling Crème became an instant sensation. Offering the ultimate solution for achieving salon-quality results at home, the “olive oil cream” was a multitasking product of sheer magic—revered by fans for delivering unparalleled shine, frizz control, curl definition, hydration, and touchable hold for all hair types.
Simply put, it was a staple before Sephora even opened its doors in the states.
As the story goes, in 2008, the formula was upgraded with advanced technology, further solidifying its status as a beloved staple. A reconfiguration to the formulation in 2018 led to a change in its legendary efficacy, leaving devoted fans yearning for the original formulation—and the eBay price of the ’90s version skyrocketing.
Fast-forward to this past week, when Fekkai revived the original classic. Referred to as the “comeback project,” the brand reunited with the original chemist, Ronald Uy, who meticulously recreated the iconic ’90s formula. Dipping into the archives, he found the 2008 formula. He then began batching based on this recipe maintaining 99-percent of its original formulation.
The Red-Carpet Return
Tonight, the cult classic made its triumphant return to the Emmy red carpet, with both Selena Gomez and Reese Witherspoon‘s styles relying on the creme.
“My goal for tonight was glossy, shiny hair. I started by shampooing Selena’s hair with the FEKKAI Brilliant Gloss Shampoo ($25) and Conditioner ($25),” shared celebrity hairstylist Marissa Marino, who worked with Gomez. “I towel-dried and then applied the original FEKKAI Brilliant Glossing Styling Créme ($30) from roots to ends and brushed through with a paddle brush.”
For Witherspoon’s style, sleek was the end goal, according to her hairstylist Lona Vigi, who also leaned on the creme. “This ‘Grace Kelly‘ sleek and sophisticated bun was inspired by the latest runway trends. It is the perfect blend of classic elegance and contemporary style, making it an ideal choice for Reese’s Emmys appearance! To achieve the classic bun look, I used Fekkai products to create a modern take on this timeless hairstyle.”
