The reunion was a long time coming. I hadn’t seen my old boss in years; just once, in fact, since I left the newspaper more than three decades ago. After a couple of emails back and forth, we finally committed to a Saturday afternoon lunch.


I crossed the parking lot, smile on my face, hand outstretched; the now-retired assistant sports editor stared at me and finally said, “I can’t picture you with gray hair.”

Thanks, Mark. It’s nice to see you, too.


Truth is, I can’t picture myself with gray hair either, even though I’ve been staring this mug in the mirror for 53 years. So, after writing a hair color article for our May issue, I’ve been darting in and out of drugstores throughout Northern New Jersey searching for that magical elixir, Just for Men Control GX, in an attempt to grab a year or two back from Father Time. Unfortunately, there must be a lot of us geezers on the same quest because I can’t find Combe’s shampoo-in color anywhere.


We’re not alone. Everyone is living in color these days. Professional color treatment sales were nearly $18 billion last year and growing, and it’s not just coloring grays, it’s young and old putting some bang into their bangs, with bursts of pinks, blues and yellows. To find out what the pros think about today’s styling trends, cuts and colors, read Go Pro.


If you, too, feel your bones creaking and your mind racing, be sure to read our cover story on spa treatments. Demand for spa treatments continues to rise as harried consumers search for ways to incorporate some serenity into their over-scheduled lives. Once your mind clears and your spirits lift, you can turn your attention to Statement Piece. FMCG companies are opting for packaging that looks as good online as it does on-shelf.


As for my quest for Control GX? Maybe the Millennials in my house are right; I should end my search and just buy the dye online so I can be ready for the next newsroom reunion.


Tom Branna
Editorial Director
tbranna@rodmanmedia.com