Madison Reed
TypePrivate
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
,
United States
Key people
Amy Errett (CEO)
ProductsHair care
Hair color
Websitewww.madison-reed.com

Madison Reed is an American brand of hair care and hair color products. The company has a subscription-based service through its online and brick-and-mortar stores as well as retail partnerships with Ulta Beauty, Walmart,[1] Sally Beauty,[2] and Amazon.com. The company also operates brick-and-mortar "Hair Color Bars" in cities across the United States.[3] A class action suit with allegations that included hair damage, hair loss, false advertising, and use of known carcinogen ethanolamine presented as a "natural" alternative to the ammonia typically found in hair dye was filed against the company in 2022 and was settled out of court in 2024.[4]

Background

Madison Reed was founded in 2013 by Amy Errett.[5] In 2017, Madison Reed opened brick-and-mortar "Hair Color Bars" in San Francisco and New York City for root touch-ups and glosses.[6][7] By 2020, demand for at-home hair color increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to revenue growth.[8]

Since its founding, Madison Reed has received industry recognition. In 2021, it was named to Fast Company’s list of "Ten Most Innovative Beauty Companies," [9] and in 2022 it appeared on Newsweek’s "Most Loved Workplaces”.[10]

There is significant controversy surrounding Madison Reed[11] and the safety of its products.[12] Complaints included false advertising claiming the product was free of harsh chemicals because it does not use ammonia, while failing to disclose the replacement for ammonia is ethanolamine, a product more damaging to hair than ammonia known to cause hair loss, as well as a known carcinogen. The case was dropped by the plaintiff and settled out of court in 2024.[13]

Despite direct complaints from consumers and a class action lawsuit, Madison Reed continues to claim their products do not contain the “usual harsh ingredients” generally found in hair color products, and instead maintain that they are “packed with all of the things healthy hair loves." [14]

Product Offerings

The company was formed with the intention of offering salon-quality hair color that can be used at home, and later offered the option for color to be applied by a colorist at the company’s “Hair Color Bars.” Their product portfolio includes permanent hair color, demi-permanent hair color, and temporary root coverage solutions.

Their formulas are cruelty-free (certified by Leaping Bunny) and Smart 8-Free, meaning they do not contain ammonia, PPD, resorcinol, parabens, phthalates, gluten, SLS, or titanium dioxide.

The product does contain ethanolamine, a carcinogen known to cause hair loss.[15]

Awards and recognition

Founder Amy Errett has been included on multiple business and leadership lists, including:

References

  1. ^ Kohan, Shelley (August 28, 2023). "Madison Reed, America's Best-Loved Hair Color Brand, Expands Into Walmart". Forbes. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  2. ^ "Madison Reed Expands Its Omnichannel Presence Through a Retail Partnership with Sally Beauty". Sally Beauty Holdings (Press release). April 7, 2025. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  3. ^ "How Madison Reed Revolutionized the At-Home and Professional Hair Color Industry". BeautyMatter. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
  4. ^ "Chemicals in Madison Reed Hair Coloring Products Cause Hair Loss, Scalp Irritation, Class Action Claims". classaction.org. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  5. ^ Martin, Claire (2017-04-22). "A Rare Path: From Venture Capitalist to Hair-Coloring Kits". The New York Times. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  6. ^ "The Heyday guide to growing an experiential beauty company". Glossy. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  7. ^ "Madison Reed CEO outlines national plans for 'Color Bars,' including stores in East Bay, Marin". www.bizjournals.com. 2017-10-04. Retrieved 2019-01-13.
  8. ^ Saltzman, Steph (August 6, 2020). "As the Pandemic Rattles the Global Economy, This Beauty ..." Fashionista. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  9. ^ Fast Company Staff (March 9, 2021). "The 10 most innovative beauty companies of 2021". Fast Company. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "Newsweek Names Most Loved Workplaces for 2022". Newsweek. October 6, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  11. ^ 2025 https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/madison-reed-denied-early-exit-from-false-ad-suit-over-hair-dye 2025. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ {{Cite web |url= https://www.classaction.org/media/moore-v-madison-reed-inc.pdf
  13. ^ "Madison Reed Class Action Says Products Cause Hair Loss". topclassactions.com. 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  14. ^ "Madison Reed Haircare Products Allegedly Cause Hair Loss And Scalp Irritation". ctwatchdog.com. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  15. ^ "Comparison of damage to human hair fibers caused by monoethanolamine- and ammonia-based hair colorants". J Cosmet Sci. 65 (1). 2014. PMID 24602818..
  16. ^ "Forbes Presents 50 Over 50: Know Your Value". Forbes. 2021. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  17. ^ "Most Innovative Women: 100 Women Making Money, Creating Jobs, and Changing the World". Inc. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Announcing the 2024 Queer 50 List". FastCompany). Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  19. ^ Madison Reed (22 May 2018). "Amy Errett Honored by San Francisco Business Times with "Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business 2018" Award". Madison Reed (press release). Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  20. ^ "Amy Errett wins EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Bay Area Award". Madison Reed (press release). 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2025.