Aldo Coppola: from the salon to a product line
Aldo Coppola was born in Milan in 1940, the son of a hairdresser, and started working in his father's salon at fourteen. At a time when a blow-dry meant hood dryers and stiff sets, he introduced the idea of free, moving hair, with techniques such as dry cutting. In 1961 the designer Biki asked him to style the hair for a runway show at Palazzo Pitti in Florence, and in 1965 he opened the atelier on Via Manzoni. According to the brand, the product line was created so as not to depend on outside suppliers, which is why the formulas are designed to continue at home the work done in the salon.
The lines in our selection
Mediterranean Complex: one plant extract per product
In this line each product is built around one main ingredient. If you wash your hair very often, the Shampoo Idratante con Zucchero Bianco is a good fit, while the Volumizzante shampoo and milk with orange extracts are designed for fine hair that lacks body. For hair sensitized by coloring, lightening and perms there is the Trattamento Rigenerante con Estratto di Mirto, and for frizzy, sensitized hair the leave-in Latte Ristrutturante alla Buganvillea. The same line also covers styling. The Cera Mat con Estratto di Liquirizia gives a matte finish on short to medium cuts, while the silicone-free Cera Lucidante alla Malva defines and adds body to short cuts. Then there is the Pasta Modellante all'Aloe, which combines a wax with the velvety texture of a paste, and the Fluido Modellante con Cera d'api, which the brand suggests for keeping a blow-dried or flat-ironed style in place.
Oli Essenziali and Natura Magica
The Oli Essenziali line is divided into numbered complexes. Complex 01, with Scots pine and eucalyptus, is in the Shampoo Emolliente and the Impacco Emolliente. Complex 03, with birch and lemongrass, is in the Shampoo Purificante, which balances sebum. Complex 05, with chamomile and rose, is in the detangling milk for frequent use. Natura Magica uses plant-based cleansers and, in the shampoo and mask, extracts of cacahuananche, nettle, rosemary and sage.
Black Line and Pink Line
The Black Line consists mainly of masks and fluids. For color-treated hair there is the Impacco Pro∙colore con Estratto di Indigo, for dry hair and scalp the Impacco Nutriente all'Avena, and for hair stressed by chemical treatments the leave-in Fluido Rigenerante all'Aloe. The limited-edition Pink Line has the Shampoo Lisciante and the Impacco Lisciante with mulberry extract to tame frizz, plus the Shampoo Anti.Aging with PVS complex, olive and white calla lily.
Infusion Elements: plant-based color
According to the brand, Infusion grew out of Aldo Coppola's idea of using henna on gray hair, later joined by 14 herbs. The powders are blends of dye herbs and botanical extracts used to prepare plant-based glossing masks, in shades such as Love Red, Red Fire, Namibia, Tibet and Everest. To maintain the color there are the shampoo for color-treated hair, the Liquid Cream with evening primrose oil and Shine, a shine enhancer to mist onto freshly washed hair.
Targeted treatments and sun care
For color-treated or lightened hair there are the Hair Mineral Relax Plus Fiale, a single-dose vial treatment based on trace elements, free of silicones. For damaged fine hair there is the Amo Rebuild Treatment with plant micro-proteins, while for nourishment there is the Vitamin Oil, based on grapeseed, coconut and sesame oils, to add to your shampoo or mask. Finally, the Pearls of Beauty are a treatment in biodegradable single-dose pearls rich in amino acids similar to keratin, suitable for all hair types.
The Aquamare line is formulated with brown algae extract. The Filtro Protettivo is a hair sunscreen that the brand suggests against UV rays, salt, wind and chlorine; the after-sun milk and mask rehydrate hair fiber exposed to sun and sea salt.
How to choose your Aldo Coppola products
For frequent washing, you can pair the Shampoo Idratante allo Zucchero bianco with the Oli Essenziali detangling milk with chamomile and rose. If your hair and scalp are dry, there are the Black Line's Impacco Nutriente all'Avena or the Emolliente shampoo and mask from Complex 01. For fine hair without body, there are the Volumizzante shampoo and milk with orange.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Aldo Coppola?
Aldo Coppola was a hairstylist born in Milan in 1940, the son of a hairdresser. At sixteen he won the Italian women's hairstyling championship, then worked in fashion and with leading photographers and founded a network of salons and an academy. His salon work gave rise to the hair care line that bears his name.
What are Infusion Elements powders?
Infusion Elements powders are blends of dye herbs and botanical extracts used to prepare plant-based glossing masks, in shades called Love Red, Red Fire, Namibia, Tibet and Everest. The same line also includes a shampoo for color-treated hair, the Liquid Cream with evening primrose and the Shine spray for luminosity.
Which Aldo Coppola shampoo is best for color-treated hair?
For color-treated hair there is the Infusion Elements Shampoo, with ultra-gentle cleansers and lightly amber-toned glossing plant extracts. Alongside the shampoo you can use the Black Line's Impacco Pro∙colore with Indigo, the Trattamento Rigenerante al Mirto, designed for hair sensitized by coloring and lightening, or the Hair Mineral Relax Plus vials.
Which Aldo Coppola product is best for oily hair?
For a scalp that gets oily, Aldo Coppola offers the Shampoo Purificante from the Oli Essenziali line, with the birch and lemongrass essential oils of Complex 03. It is a sebum-balancing shampoo that removes excess oil while cleansing gently and leaves hair soft and light, with a fresh, citrusy scent.
Which Aldo Coppola product is best for frizzy hair?
For frizz, the Pink Line has the Shampoo Lisciante with mulberry extract, a low-lather cream formula, and the Impacco Lisciante, which the brand also suggests against heat from blow-drying. The Mediterranean Complex line has the leave-in Latte Ristrutturante alla Buganvillea, which you can use to tame your hair while blow-drying it.
What are Hair Mineral Relax Plus vials for?
Hair Mineral Relax Plus is a restructuring, remineralizing treatment in single-dose vials, based on trace elements and free of silicones. It is specific to color-treated or lightened hair and can also be used on fine hair. The brand suggests it for restoring elasticity, body and shine to lifeless hair.
What styling products does Aldo Coppola make?
Aldo Coppola styling is part of the Mediterranean Complex line. For a matte, tousled look there is the Cera Mat alla Liquirizia, for defining short cuts the Cera Lucidante alla Malva, and for shape and texture the Pasta Modellante all'Aloe. For blow-dried or flat-ironed styles there is the Fluido Modellante con Cera d'api, which makes hair more manageable.
Does Aldo Coppola make hair products for sun protection?
Yes, Aldo Coppola's sun line is called Aquamare and is formulated with brown algae extract. The Filtro Protettivo is a hair sunscreen against UV rays, salt, wind and chlorine; the leave-in Latte Doposole and the Maschera Doposole rehydrate and nourish hair exposed to sun, sea salt and chlorine.
