6 Years of Curlsmith

by SHARLEY VIOLA 5 MINUTE READ
6 Years of Curlsmith

Happy 6th Birthday to Curlsmith! We are so excited to be celebrating this special occasion with you. Caring for curly hair shouldn't be challenging; that's why we have worked so hard over the last six years to create products to suit the needs of all curl types. 

 

Many of our curl friends have been on this journey with us from the start, and we have made many more along the way. Let's take a trip down memory lane to see where it all began and what we have achieved.

 

2018

With the help of our curly community, sharing tips and tricks for caring for curly hair, formulas were developed and tested. Once perfected, considering the feedback from our community, Moisture Recipe was created and launched online.

 

2019

Shortly after our online presence and success in creating a premium range specifically for curly hair, we launched on Ulta.com, and in all stores. This was a massive achievement for us, and it didn't stop there. Within this same year, we created the Scalp Recipe as we advocated for promoting the importance of a healthy scalp. After all, healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp!

 

2020

We launched our Color Recipe, which includes our Hair makeup to allow our curl friends to enjoy vibrant shades without damaging their tresses. Further to product development this year, we grew our team to grow the brand even more. 

 

2021

This was a busy year for us with the launch of one of our hero products Bond Curl, and the rest of the Strength Recipe range. As our collections expanded, we wanted to ensure that our curl friends could easily select the products needed. We also know that education is a significant factor in understanding and caring for curly hair. Therefore came the introduction of several educational tools.

In addition, we bagged our first awards from our Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash and Moisture Memory Reactivator. Both are recognized as carbon-neutral products, and Curlsmith HQ as a carbon-neutral company. We were also organically featured in several publications, such as Huda Beauty!

 

This year grew our business to another level, and we wanted to share our success with everyone, no matter your circumstances. That's where our relationship with Beauty Banks and Project Share Beauty began. 

 

Both charities provide care items to those experiencing hygiene poverty, as food banks do not include these items. We donated 10k to support those in need. After all, everybody deserves to have beautiful hair.

 

2022

We started the year by launching our fragrance-free Shine Recipe and entered the world of tools and accessories. The assortment includes our vegan silk pillowcase, headscarf, microfiber towel, scrunchies, and Diffrizzion dryer with what we believe to be the world's biggest diffuser!

 

The product launches proceeded throughout the year, next with our Limited Edition Hair Mask. We partnered with Beauty Bank and the Hygiene Project. For every unit sold, each charity received $1 and £1, which resulted in 10k overall. In addition, we donated 1000 bottles of shampoo and conditioner to the Hygiene Bank.

 

As well as product launches, we entered the doors of several retailers such as Sophora (US), Chatters (Canada), Beauty Brands, and Asos. It's safe to say that this was a super busy year.

 

2023

Following the previous year's trend, we started with a product launch, but this time it was the addition of the new Essential Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner to Moisture Recipe. We had our first-ever UK Influencer event to support the launch, which was a huge success.

Following the previous year's trend, we started with a product launch, but this time it was the addition of the new Essential Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner to Moisture Recipe. We had our first-ever UK Influencer event to support the launch, which was a huge success.

 

The momentum of the product launches persisted throughout the year as we expanded our Moisture recipe with the introduction of three new products. This included Effortless Waves, a light-hold styler designed to enhance and define all types of waves and textures, leaving the hair feeling soft and free of crunch. Additionally, we launched Flawless Finish, an alcohol-free hairspray available in strong and flexible hold, specifically designed with curls in mind.

Our journey continued with introducing the Anti-Frizz Recipe, a four-piece collection with a unique trio oil blend designed to control and tame frizz. To mark this occasion, we hosted a UK frizz launch event and our first US press event in collaboration with Ulta, celebrating with celebrities such as Bailey Bass and many of our long-standing curl friends. The last product launch of the year was the Jumbo-sized version of our much-loved Pre-poo treatment, Bond Curl, in response to overwhelming demand from our curl community.

 

Expanding our tools category, we introduced the travel edition Diffrizion dryer, following the success of our Defrizzion dryer. This compact dryer features an XL 6-inch diffuser, dual voltage capability, a hands-free stand, and a fold-down feature, making the dryer compact for added portability.

 

During these launches, our products and tools received recognition through numerous awards, including Women and Home's "Best Ultra Hold" award for our In-Shower Style Fixer and Vogue's Editor's Choice for Bond Curl Rehab Salve. Additionally, Marie Claire acknowledged Miracle Shield as the best heat protectant product, and Oprah Daily awarded our Bonding Oil as the best product to tame frizzy hair.

 

In addition to product launches, we proudly collaborated with celebrity stylists who showcased their talent on notable occasions. Nicola Harrowel styled India Amartiefo for the Queen Charlotte premier, Larry Simms styled Gabrielle Union for the Met Gala, and Liam Curran styled Shakira for Wimbledon.

We also had the pleasure of participating in events such as Coachella at the Geojam Mansion x LA Weekly Pool Party, where the attendees experienced the magic of Curlsmith products for festival-ready hair. Additionally, we partnered with Fashion East at London Fashion Week for another memorable collaboration.

 

2024

This year kicked off with a prestigious award from Allure, recognizing our Weightless Air Dry Cream as one of the "15 Best Air-Dry Creams for a Shiny, Frizz-Free Finish." Following this achievement, we made a significant announcement—introducing Curlsmith in select Boots stores across the UK. This marked a pivotal moment for us, representing our first physical presence in UK retail outlets.

We organized a noteworthy PR and influencer event to celebrate this milestone in true Curlsmith style. Personalities such as Princess Andre and Tillie Thalia graced the occasion alongside a room filled with curly-haired enthusiasts. The event featured an engaging presentation, delving into the brand's history and the products available at Boots.

 

As we look forward to the upcoming year, we have many exciting plans in store, and we invite you to join us on this journey. We want to thank every one of our curl friends for their continuous support, which has propelled us to where we stand today.

Sharley Viola
Curlsmith’s Lead Educator

Textured Hair Specialist with a vast amount of experience delivering education both nationally and internationally. A self-confessed product junkie committed to spreading her wealth of knowledge amongst the curly hair community and beyond.

Sharley Viola
Curlsmith’s Lead Educator

Textured Hair Specialist with a vast amount of experience delivering education both nationally and internationally. A self-confessed product junkie committed to spreading her wealth of knowledge amongst the curly hair community and beyond.