In 2008 I became a licensed hair stylist with a dream of starting my own product line. When you normally think of “product lines” you think shampoo, conditioner, styling products…etc; or at least from working in salons you do. After doing some research I came to realize you need about a million dollars and somebody else is taking your creativity away from you. You’re not fully submerged in making the products, you just tell a chemist what you want and hope for the best until they get it right. That’s not what I wanted. So finally after just working on my education via Vidal Sassoon, Davines, Redken, Wella, & numerous other companies and classes, I unintentionally started my line.
In late 2012 Shear Revival started in the kitchen of my house in Asbury Park, NJ. It was the happiest accident I’ve ever had happen to me. After getting more into men’s grooming products I had stumbled upon the concept of beard oils. I’ve been shaving/growing a beard since the summer after 5th grade; this was relevant to my interests. Being somebody with terrible dry skin underneath their beard I decided to give them a try. When I wasn’t finding anything I was sold on, I started making my own. After much research, trial, and unfortunately, error, I ended up making way too much for myself to use alone. I started passing some bottles out to friends and acquaintances. After hearing a lot of “How did you make this?! This is really cool man! You should sell this!” and thinking “Wow you guys are being super nice, but I want to make other stuff like shampoos, and pastes, and hairsprays to use” After getting my head out of my ass, I realized this was it, I could start my line from here. I’ve always had a sort-of “punk rock DIY ethic” from playing in bands since I was a kid. Taking that sort of mentality I ended up spending a lot more time researching things I used in my every day routine and figuring out how to make my own versions of them. After making the first beard oil, which you now know as Sawbones, I continued to work on different recipes for numerous products.
So far I’ve released 7 different products, from haircare to skin care, Shear Revival is ever-growing. I didn’t think this was something you could do yourself, but I’m humbled and surprised every day. Shear Revival is about pushing yourself and making yourself into a newer, better, you.
Thank you for taking your time to stop by here. Hope you find what you’re looking for. Not just in our line, but in whatever it is you are looking to achieve in this life.
Stay Well.
-Zachary West.