TRESemmé

TRESemmé was born in 1947 at the Godefroy Manufacturing Company in Manhattan, New York. The name fuses the French phrase "très-aimé," meaning beloved, with the last name of hair care expert Edna L. Emme. For its first two decades, the brand sold exclusively to beauty salons, building a reputation among professional stylists. Alberto-Culver acquired it in 1968, and Unilever took over in 2010. Today, TRESemmé is a mass-market giant, offering salon-inspired shampoos, conditioners, and styling products at drugstore prices.

The brand's product lineup covers a wide range of needs. The Keratin Smooth line tames frizz, while Moisture Rich targets dry hair. Botanique uses natural ingredients, and Pro Pure focuses on clean formulas free of sulfates, parabens, and dyes. In 2024, TRESemmé launched a dedicated Curl line for wavy and curly textures, responding to years of criticism about lack of inclusivity. The brand also produces dry shampoos, hair sprays, mousses, and heat protection sprays.

TRESemmé competes head-to-head with Pantene, Garnier Fructis, and Herbal Essences in the value-priced professional segment. It holds a strong position in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific, available in over 40 countries. Under Unilever's Beauty & Wellbeing division, which generated €12.5 billion in 2023, TRESemmé is a key contributor, though its standalone revenue isn't disclosed.

The brand faced a major controversy in South Africa in 2020. An ad showed a Black woman with "frizzy" hair before using the product and smooth hair after, sparking accusations of racism and negative stereotyping of Black hair. Unilever apologized, pulled the ad, and removed products from South African shelves. The incident fueled broader conversations about hair discrimination in beauty marketing.[edit]