Building a haircare routine that actually works can feel like wading through endless shelves of promises and buzzwords. But no worries, we're here to guide you through a British haircare brand that's earned a genuine place in our edit, and exactly why we rate it.
Why you can trust us:
We've curated the beauty edit at Escentual for over 25 years across fragrance, skincare, makeup and hair
We test and stock hundreds of haircare brands, and only bring the ones that genuinely perform into our range.
We work directly with brand partners like Percy & Reed to bring you accurate, first-hand product knowledge, not just marketing copy. That's us being trained by the brand in the image above.
Want to know more? Visit our online Percy & Reed boutique.
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There's something quietly satisfying about stocking a brand that shares your work ethic. Escentual is Cardiff through and through; Percy & Reed was born in the heart of London's West End. Different cities, same instinct: don't cut corners, and don't dress up mediocrity as luxury.
We've spent years curating haircare that earns its place on our shelves, and Percy & Reed has done exactly that. Here are the five reasons we rate it.
1. Rich salon heritage, without the salon price tag
Percy & Reed didn't start as a bottle on a shelf - it started as an award-winning London salon, founded by session stylist Paul Percival, styling hair backstage at fashion shows and on red carpets long before it became a product range. That heritage shows up in the formulas: premium, yet genuinely accessible haircare designed to give "just left the salon" results at home, whether you're a red-carpet regular or just trying to tame a Tuesday blow-dry.
2. Founded in London, made in the UK
Every single Percy & Reed formula is conceived, formulated and manufactured in the UK, using meticulously sourced, clean ingredients. For us, that's not just a nice-to-have — it means shorter supply chains, tighter quality control, and a brand whose "British-made" claim is actually true rather than a marketing flourish.
"Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees."
3. Clean, no-compromise formulas
Percy & Reed's approach to "clean beauty" is refreshingly unfussy — no faddy claims, just solid formulation choices:
- No SLS/SLES — a rich lather that doesn't strip hair or scalp
- Water-soluble silicones only — high shine with zero build-up over time
- Paraben-free, and always cruelty-free
It's the kind of ingredient discipline that matters more the longer you use a product — and it's why we're comfortable recommending it across sensitive scalps and colour-treated hair alike.
4. Signature fragrance layering that customers notice
Every product is infused with one of Percy & Reed's six signature fine fragrances, inspired by the British countryside in bloom. This isn't an afterthought — it's part of the product experience by design. We've heard directly from customers that once Percy & Reed enters their haircare and styling routine, their perfume bottle gets a rest. That's a strong signal for a haircare brand to compete with fragrance, and it tells you how seriously the scent development has been taken.
5. Hero products worth knowing by name
Wonder Balm
The cult-favourite, award-winning leave-in balm that's the secret to effortlessly polished hair.
- It smooths the cuticle and conceals the appearance of split ends, reducing frizz for up to 72 hours — whether hair is air-dried or heat styled — without ever feeling heavy.
- Suitable for all hair types and doesn't need heat to activate, it's designed to be used alone or to boost the performance of whatever you style with next.
Volumising Mousse
The bestselling route to lasting lift: body, bounce and fullness with zero stiffness or stickiness.
- It lifts from the roots while keeping natural movement, leaving hair soft, full of body and bouncy all day.
- ideal for fine, flat or lifeless hair in need of a volume reset.
Heat Protect Spray
A genuine 3-in-1: it protects, nourishes and strengthens.
- This lightweight, invisible mist defends against heat damage up to 230°C.
- Smooths the cuticle for a sleeker finish, and helps minimise breakage while fortifying strands against heat, humidity, UV and colour fade.
No Oil Oil
All the benefits of a traditional hair oil, without the weight.
- This award-winning, innovative serum smooths flyaways and tames frizz while adding mirror-like shine, without ever compromising natural movement or feeling greasy.
- Suitable for every hair type, including the finest.
Flexible Hold Hairspray
More than just a hairspray.
- Created backstage at fashion week so stylists could brush out a model's look without static.
- it delivers brushable, buildable hold with heat, static and humidity protection.
- Keeps styles in place while maintaining a soft, touchable finish.
Conclusion
The Percy & Reed collection is a fresh addition to our haircare edit, and it fills a gap we're genuinely glad to close: targeted solutions for every hair type and need, from boosting volume and smoothing frizz to enhancing shine, defining curls and protecting colour. The lightweight, high-performance formulas are designed to be layered with other stylers and built up to achieve your desired look, all without ever weighing hair down — proof that salon-quality results and an everyday routine aren't mutually exclusive.
We don't stock a brand because it's British — we stock it because it's good. Percy & Reed just happens to be both: a founder-owned, London-born haircare label that's earned its 130+ international awards and press mentions in Vogue, Cosmopolitan and The Sunday Times the hard way — through formulas that work.
The Author: Chelsey
After eighteen years navigating the beauty landscape – from the shop floor to now – I've learned a thing or two about what you truly need. At Escentual, I'm here to bring that experience directly to you, offering expert advice to achieve your personal beauty goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Percy & Reed suitable for colour-treated hair?
Yes. The Wonder range is formulated to help prevent colour fade and defend hair from UV damage, and the whole line is free from sulphates (SLS/SLES), so it won't strip colour or moisture between washes.
Is Percy & Reed vegan and cruelty-free?
The brand is always cruelty-free, and the majority of the range (including Wonder Balm, Volumising Mousse, Heat Protect Spray and the Strengthening range) is vegan-friendly. Product pages will confirm vegan status per SKU.
Can I use Percy & Reed if I have fine or flat hair?
Yes — that's exactly what the Volume range and Volumising Mousse are built for. They add body and lift without weighing hair down, using lightweight, residue-free formulas.
Does Percy & Reed help with hair thinning or breakage?
The Strengthening range (Shampoo, Conditioner and Scalp Concentrate) is built around Sweet White Lupine, an active that supports scalp circulation and is designed to reduce breakage — the brand's own testing found hair felt 68% stronger after one use of the full system.
