Rebecca Cathline: “There is a real concern for training hairdressers on frizzy, curly and curly hair”

Thanks to our application “Ma Coiffeuse Afro”, which allows women with frizzy, curly or curly hair to find hairdressers at home, we asked our customers about their habits, their needs, and other issues. And they told us that they didn’t have good products for their hair. We realized that at least 40 to 50% of our clients had problems with hair growth and hair breakage. Being a big consumer of beauty food supplements, I found this interesting because I had actually never seen products designed for this type of hair. I decided to approach them directly to find out what they would like to find on the market. It was all these women who inspired every step of the launch of the first product of the In Haircare brand, the capsules, which saw the light of day just before the pandemic.

In Haircare presents itself as an inclusive brand. What does this mean when it comes to hair care?

It’s about putting different hair types at the heart of product development. When we made the food supplements, I was offered a first formula, but I realized that in terms of dosage, it would never grow frizzy or curly hair, because the composition was much too weak. We had to go much further, and so I wanted to work on the formula myself. This was the case for capsules and gummies. Putting the customer at the heart of product development means drawing inspiration from her needs and problems, but also working hand in hand with the laboratories, and briefing them on the needs of this type of hair. You might think it’s simple, but it’s not, because they don’t have the resources or the knowledge about frizzy or curly hair… It’s a reality in France. To be inclusive, you really have to consider the type of hair of the clients, and not just put it in communication on an advertising poster. This must be taken into account during product development.

Can you explain how frizzy, frizzy, and curly hair has different needs than other hair textures?

It is hair that requires special routines, because it needs to be nourished and hydrated continuously, and it also needs to be sealed in with its hydration. Today we learn more and more how to take care of curly and frizzy hair, it has not always been the case, but we see that there are more and more YouTube channels and Instagram pages that allow get tips and tricks; which is a very good thing. These are specific and adapted hair routines, which must take into account many characteristics, such as hair porosity for example.

There are still more and more care ranges adapted to this type of hair, and this should continue to progress over time. But the training of hairdressers is indeed a real subject, in France at least. Hairdressers are not trained to deal with this type of hair, and it is not for lack of having offered our help on a large scale to move forward on this subject. But today things still haven’t changed. It is not normal not to have training on this type of hair, if only a module, or the possibility for those who wish to train, quite simply. However, more and more hairdressers are setting up their own training organization, which could speed things up. For example, Alexis Rosso, who is a very great hairdresser, now gives training on frizzy, curly or curly hair, and via the “Ma Coiffeuse Afro” application, we know hairdressers who will be trained in hairdressing. ‘foreign. Proof that there is a real concern for training hairdressers on this type of hair, when 60% of the world’s population is concerned. In 2022, that shouldn’t even be a topic anymore.

Why is this issue not taken into account at a time when inclusive beauty seems to dominate the debates?

Abroad, there are many initiatives, and in particular more and more retailers who integrate brands whose products are specifically formulated for this type of hair. This is less the case in France. I don’t know why, I wonder. Is it because it takes time to set up? Is it due to ignorance of the market? Or by ignorance of training and education on this type of hair? I realize this on a daily basis, because we ourselves have to bring a lot of resources and information when we work with resellers or laboratories. There is bound to be a form of misunderstanding somewhere, and we always come back to the same problem: training. It is the base of everything. It must be understood that it is synonymous with consideration. It is a question of considering that this type of hair exists, and that it requires special care.

Are In Haircare products only suitable for frizzy, curly, and frizzy hair, or for all hair types?

The first range to come out, the “In & Out” routine, is focused on hair growth, with a serum that is applied to the scalp and food supplements, so suitable for everyone. There is also an exfoliating oil and jelly. All of these products are suitable for different hair types, but they have been designed for frizzy, curly and frizzy hair above all. For example, we wanted the exfoliating jelly to be infused with carapate oil, so that the hair is not dried out at the root; which can be the case for curly, curly, or frizzy hair. But straight hair also needs good moisture, so the products are suitable for everyone.

We knew from the start that we wanted to offer a clean, inclusive brand that corresponds to our values. Thanks to the launch of the “Ma Coiffeuse Afro” application, we knew our customers well, and even more about their expectations. We have therefore integrated everything into the development of our products. Everything was very clear from the start.

You have raised numerous funds since the beginning of the year, some of which came from the investment funds of a major cosmetics group. What does this mean for the future of the brand?

We have indeed made great fundraisers which will allow us to develop new products. You should know that we arrived on the market with a single product, then we launched a second, and so on. And we generated 1.5 million euros in sales in one year with just two products. The next step will be to develop specific ranges, expand the team, launch campaigns, and expand internationally.