| Jheri Redding | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert William Redding March 2, 1907 Rantoul, Illinois |
| Died | March 15, 1998 (aged 91) Santa Barbara, California |
| Occupation | Hairdresser, chemist and businessman |
Jheri Redding (born Robert William Redding March 2, 1907 – March 15, 1998) was an American hairdresser, chemist, hair care products entrepreneur and businessman. Redding is best-known for creating the Jheri curl, which was used by the singer Michael Jackson.
Redding is credited with being the inventor of modern day hair conditioner. He was the first to make "pH balanced" shampoos, to put vitamins in hair care products, and to market added minerals. He developed the perm product Jheri curl, as well as numerous other beauty products. He founded the international beauty products business that bore his name, along with three others.
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Redding's interest in the beauty industry began during the Great Depression of the 1930s when it appeared to him that hairdressers and makeup artists had the best paying jobs. He was one of the first men in the United States ever to become licensed as a cosmetologist.
As a young man in Chicago, Redding was teaching chemistry and working as a hair stylist using beauty products that did not perform to his expectations. He began experimenting with chemicals and other ingredients he found in his kitchen, such as mayonnaise, vinegar, et cetera, to make his own shampoos, rinses and hairdressing solutions to improve the hair of his clients. From that grew the treatments, styling creams and gels that became known as Jheri Redding Products.
Redding moved to Los Angeles, California, shortly after World War II was over. Having adopted his unusual nickname along the way, he founded Jheri Redding Products Company in 1956, selling a cream rinse he developed. He later co-founded three other major national hair care companies, Redken in 1960, Jhirmack in 1968, and, in 1979, Nexxus, which he said stood for "Nature and Earth United With Science." These companies continue to operate with different owners.
He had four wives, 1st wife, Marjorie Silverman Miller, 2nd Selma, 3rd, Irene J. Divorced March 16, 1979., 4th Cheryl Shirleen Lugo, divorced. Jheri had 3 biological children, 1st- Robert William (Bill) Redding, married to Linda Anne Redding, January 6, 1963, two sons, Robert William Jherimiah Redding, born August 23, 1963, Thomas James Redding, born March 30, 1970. 2nd son, Stephen J. Redding, married Angie Demourkas, had 3 children, Elisa, Stephanie, and Jheri (married with 2 children). All born in Santa Barbara. 3rd son, Sean Redding married to Natalie Moton, three daughters and three sons. Jheri had a total of 11 grandchildren, to date. July 5, 2008
As he succeeded, the recognized authority on hair color put his ideas into print when he wrote The Anatomy of a Permanent Wave. Redding also assumed a leadership position in the cosmetics industry and founded the Hollywood Design Council.
In 1990, Redding was inducted into the National Cosmetology Foundation's Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the North American Hairstyling Award's Hall of Leaders in 1997.
Redding retired from active involvement with his Nexxus company in 1991. His wealth allowed him to own a variety of race horses, including one named Itsallgreektome that placed a close second in the Breeders' Cup in 1990 and 1991.
Jheri Redding died at age 91 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. He is interred at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, in Sunset Section, Lot 70, Grave 08.