BEYOND THE STRAND: Embracing My Unique Hair

Welcome to our hair story series: BEYOND THE STRAND

Discover the personal journeys, favorite products, and routines of our NatureLab. TOKYO team members. Join us as we highlight the diversity of experiences that influence our brand through haircare.

Today, we dive into our social media manager Jess's hair story...

I loved my hair when I was growing up and still do to this day.

My childhood hair was very dark brown which stood out because I grew up in the midwest where so many people are more blonde to light brown. I felt unique, but I only really thought about my hair in terms of its color and not necessarily its texture. My texture just seemed frizzy, but when I was twelve years old, I went into a real salon for the first time, and the hairstylist informed me that I didn’t have frizzy hair, I was just brushing out my curls. She styled my hair with my back to the mirror, and I remember her turning the chair around and seeing my curls for the first time (and I immediately fell in love). It wasn’t until my early 20’s that I ever experienced a dislike for my hair...

I started going grey when I was 18.

By 23 I was covering my roots regularly with at-home boxed dye. When I look at photos from that time, my hair just looked dry and poorly colored, and through all the years of dying my hair, it bothered me that my hair lacked dimension at the roots because I was constantly in a state of covering up. Even when I started going back to the salon for my color, I was still always self-conscious of my gray hair.

Today, at 44, I love that my hair is unique.

Between my silver hair and my natural 3A curls, I rarely pass anyone on the street with my same hair. It was such a difficult decision to embrace my natural hair, but I love it and has become a huge confidence booster for me. I also love that since stopping the regular dying of my hair, I’ve noticed that my hair has so much more life and less frizz.

My current hair routine reflects a balance between care and convenience.

I only return to the salon twice a year for highlights, lowlights and a trim.
Nowadays, I’m always thinking about hair thinning at my temples and my crown.
At home, my routine changes a bit from day to day, but I usually wash my hair 2-3 times a week.

Once a week, before I shower, I apply the Perfect Clean Sake Rinse and wait a few minutes (usually killing time on social media). Then I rinse it out and use the Perfect Clean Scalp Scrub (I love a good excuse to give myself a scalp massage).

Then I go in with the Perfect Smooth Shampoo paired with the Perfect Repair Conditioner. To help my curls a bit, I also use the Perfect Repair Treatment Masque, comb it through and massage into my ends before rinsing, squeezing out the excess water and wrapping in a microfiber towel. I style it with curl cream and diffuse.

Jess's Pro Tips:

I've got 2!

Curly hair starts in the shower. If you want healthy, bouncy curls, it’s so much less about what styling products you use, and so much more about your shower routine. Take a few extra minutes in the shower to really let a masque soak into your hair. And if you want less frizz, stop rinsing right before the masque is totally rinsed out or apply a leave-in conditioner and really squish into your damp hair before putting on your hair towel.
Learn to go with the flow. As a curly girl, I’ve learned to let my hair be what it wants to be. You’re going to have days where the curl doesn’t curl the way you want it to. You’re going to have days when you style it beautifully, then step out into a humid day, and your hard work turns into a frizzy wild mane. It’s ok. Be the frizzy wild mane girl today.

Jess's Faves:

Perfect Clean Sake Rinse
I love the refreshing sensation when I apply it to my scalp.

Perfect Smooth Shampoo
I’ve literally never loved a shampoo like this before. The lather is incredible, but it doesn’t dry out my hair. And the Yuzu scent is so rejuvenating. I have two kids, which means I’m always tired. This shampoo wakes me up and gets me going (almost as good as my morning coffee).