New Shampoo Line Inspired By Former Governor's Hair

By Margarita Nahapetyan

Former Governor Rod Blagojevich's head of hair is the stuff of legend, and recently the impeached governor's lush locks have inspired a new line of hair care products.

Dennis Fath, owner of Delta Laboratories Inc., in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, is marketing a new line called "Blago It's Bleep'n Golden Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner." According to Fath, the idea for the Blago-branded shampoo came to him in a dream, after what he woke up in the middle of the night with a thought that it would be quite fun to have at least something named after ex-governor because of his hair. This is the first time when Delta, which makes hair care products for other companies, has come up with its own brand.

The name of the new hair product refers to a comment the former governor allegedly made about the appointment: "I have got this thing and it is (expletive) golden." The Blago shampoo and conditioners come packaged in black and gold bottles that have a resemblance of an energy drink bottle. They are only available for purchase through the official website, www.BlagoHair.com. The hair products that promise "volumizing for really big hair," sell for $8 a bottle or $15 for the set of two.

According to the web site, the shampoo contains silk protein, keratin and panthenol which help to strengthen hair and make it look thicker and fuller as well as add body and shine to it. Among other ingredients are also vitamin E and many herbal extracts, such as extracts of green tea, rosemary, comfrey and orchid, which carry anti-oxidant and stimulating qualities.

Rod Blagojevich was the governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009, when he was convicted of federal corruption charges. Blagojevich was impeached and asked to leave the office in January after being accused of screwing around and trying to sell President Obama's vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. Then he tried to become a reality TV star, something about eating worms in Costa Rica.

Blagojevich's behavior was made fun of all across the media, but it was his hair that attracted the most attention. His signature helmet of hair has earned him almost as much popularity as the filthy expressions he is accused of using on federal wiretaps. Late night comedian performers continuously joked on this subject, and Saturday Night Live's head writer Seth Meyers said of their successful 2008-2009 season: "Good old Blagojevich showed up like a White Knight with a terrible haircut."

There have been no shortage of marketing campaigns attached to the deposed deal maker from Illinois: NBC, for example, attempted to invite Blagojevich to take part in their show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here," before a judge barred the former governor from leaving the country. Chicago Shakespeare Theatre has a show called "Rod Blagojevich Superstar", and finally, a local burger joint called "Kuma"s Korner" came up with a Blagojevich burger whose main ingredient, with the exception of beef, was a honking slice of baloney.

Blagojevich publicist Glenn Selig says that he hopes the shampoo "at least passes the smell test."