Despite being an industry largely focused on creating products made for women, haircare is still a mostly male-dominated space. Just look at some of the names on your favorite haircare products and chances are you’ll find at least one guy’s name on the label. For so long, male stylists like John Frieda and Frédéric Fekkai ruled the haircare aisle with their own lines of products, but over the last few years, we’ve seen more and more female hair pros break into the haircare category.
In the spirit of Women’s History Month, we felt it was only right to turn our attention to some of the badass women in hair who are funneling their years of industry experience and extensive hair knowledge into truly incredible haircare brands. Ahead, take a look at some of our favorite haircare brands started by female hairstylists.
Kristin Ess Haircare
As the hairstylist to stars like Lucy Hale and Lauren Conrad (who have some of the most enviable manes in Hollywood), you can trust that celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess knows a thing or two about hair. That’s why it is not surprising at all that her eponymous haircare line at Target is incredibly good. Her ever-growing collection of salon-worthy products is full of all your haircare essentials from shampoo and conditioners to even hot tools—all without the luxury price tag.
Recommend Product: Kristen Ess The One Shampoo and Conditioner Liter Set, $40.00
Kim Kimble Haircare
As the force behind all of the iconic hairstyles frequently seen on A-listers like Beyonce and Zendaya, celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble knows exactly the kind of care that Black hair needs. So, it’s only fitting that she bottled up all of her hair secrets and know-how into creating her own namesake haircare line full of salon quality products for kinky and curly hair textures. While there is so much to love about her line, its affordable price point certainly ranks high on the list.
Recommend Product: Kim Kimble Edge Taming Pomade, $12.97
RŌZ
You can thank celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak—the mastermind behind Emma Stone, Lily Collins, and Olivia Wilde’s enviable hair looks—for this must-know clean haircare brand. After over 18 years of working behind the chair, Roszak decided to bring her haircare knowledge to the masses by creating RŌZ (pronounced “rose”), a line of revolutionary hair oils. Taking a mindful approach to hair health, RŌZ’s products are all sustainably-sourced and formulated with plant-based oils and extracts that are designed to enhance and nurture every hair texture.
Recommend Product: ROZ Willow Glen Treatment Oil, $48.00
OUAI
If you consider yourself a hair enthusiast, then chances are OUAI needs no introduction. This mega-successful brand that celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin has built from the ground up has won over legions of fans with its Instagram-ready packaging, signature scents, and award-winning products. Thanks to OUAI, now everyone can experience luxury haircare without breaking the bank, which is something that we can totally get behind.
Recommend Product: OUAI Curl Creme, $32.00
Act + Acre
If you’re all about scalp care, then Act + Acre is definitely a name you should know. Founded by editorial hairstylist Helen Reavey, this hair wellness brand takes a scalp-focused approach to improving the long-term health of your hair. Their toxin-free formulas are made using natural ingredients and a patented cold-process technique (which uses ice water at a high pressure to combine both essential oils and ingredients)—a first within the beauty industry. Our favorite part about Act + Acre? All of their packaging is fully recyclable!
Recommend Product: Act + Acre Scalp Detox, $42.00
It’s a 10 Haircare
Even if you don’t know who Carolyn Aronson is, chances are you know her brand, It’s a 10 Haircare. The beloved brand’s cult-favorite leave-in treatments, like its Miracle Leave-In, have stolen the hearts of professional stylists and clients alike, thanks to its powerful ingredients and results-driven formulas. A former hairstylist and salon owner herself, Aronson decided to create It’s a 10 after becoming frustrated by the lack of multipurpose hair products on the market that were made with simple ingredients. Now, her haircare brand is one of the only female-owned professional haircare brands in the world.
Recommend product: It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Spray Product, $40.00
Do you know any other brands that were founded by female hair pros? If so, let us know in the comments below!
