OTC Beauty Magazine | March 2025 by OTC Beauty

Magic Fingers

Dream Edge Gel is specially formulated with the perfect balance of hold and flexibility, It’s like having a personal stylist right at your fingertips!

Transform your hairstyle with our EdgeMax gel. Begin by dispensing a small, pea-sized amount onto your fingertips. Gently apply the gel onto your edges, working it in from the roots to the tips. For a flawless finish, consider using an edge brush to smooth and shape your edges, achieving a sleek and polished look. Take your styling to the next level by securing your edges in place with a stylish scarf or headband, which will prevent any frizz or flyaways.

BUSINESS TIPS

Why Some Companies Outperform— And How You Can Too

By Susan Quinn

In today’s business landscape, competition is relentless. Disruptions emerge overnight. Customer expectations evolve rapidly. Talent is harder to retain than ever. Yet, some companies consistently outperform their peers, growing faster, attracting top talent, and building unshakable customer loyalty.

Why Innovation Should Be More like Easter Eggs

By Susan Robertson

Every year, Amy B., a buyer for a large retail chain store, hosts an Easter egg decorating team building party, where she and a bunch of her suppliers spend an entire afternoon coloring and bedazzling boiled eggs. None of them bring kids—they do this for the sheer pleasure of out-of-the office bonding, creating interesting and attractive objects. The group is always amazed at the creativity of the resulting eggs. (And in case you’re wondering, no, none of them are artists.)

OTC BOOK CLUB Does Your Business Show Up Or Stand Out?: How Better Experiences By Design Spur Growth

by Susan Quinn

BUZZ Q&A with Sophia Winston

Shine ’n Jam® has partnered with internationally recognized braider, Stasha Harris, owner of Magic Fingers Studio in Brooklyn, NY, to create Shine n Jam® Magic Fingers™ for Braiders. The line is formulated to condition and strengthen the hair, prevent flyaways, and allow for longer-lasting styles.

CEO: Ann Jhin

Editor: Allyson Leak

Art Director: Sam Choi

Advertising Manager: Sophia Winston

Columnists: Edward Murawski

Contributors: Sophia Winston, Susan Quinn, Susan Robertson

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OTC Beauty Magazine offers useful business tips and effective selling tools to boost revenue and customer traffic for OTC retailers. The magazine also provides invaluable product knowledge, industry news and insights for retail store owners, manufacturers, distributors and professionals in the barber and beauty supply industry.

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The Power of Color: Elevating Beauty & Business

I’ve experimented with hair color on and off for years, but one challenge always remained—dryness. I knew deep conditioning was key, but consistency was my struggle. This is where product education and expert tips make all the difference. Imagine having QR codes at the register that customers can scan for quick hair color maintenance tips. These QR Codes can link to blog articles on your website. Small additions like this could really set your store apart and elevate the customer experience.

Color is at the heart of beauty. It’s how customers express themselves, embrace trends, and transform their look. For beauty supply store owners, color isn’t just about aesthetics— it’s an opportunity to meet customer needs and drive sales with the right products and expertise.

In this issue, we take a deep dive into the world of color, with a special focus on hair color care and maintenance. Our feature article, “The Ultimate Guide to Hair Color Care and Maintenance: Everything Your Customers Need to Know to Keep

Their Color Vibrant and Healthy,” provides essential insights to help your customers keep their hair color fresh and longlasting. From color-protecting shampoos to deep-conditioning treatments, stocking the right products will position your store as a trusted resource for color-treated hair.

Success in the beauty business isn’t just about stocking the right products—it’s about operating with intention and excellence. This month, we’re also featuring “The 9 Core Traits of HighPerforming Companies” by Susan Quinn, which explores what sets thriving businesses apart. From building a strong company culture to simplifying operations and prioritizing customer experience, these insights can help you refine your business strategy and create lasting success.

We hope this issue brings you valuable knowledge and inspiration to enhance your store’s offerings. Thank you for being part of the OTC Beauty community!

In gratitude

How to Host “Beauty & Wellness” Pop-Up Events with Beauty Partners

Why Beauty & Wellness Pop-Ups Are a Must for Your Store

Collaboration is one of the most innovative ways to grow your customer base and promote your beauty supply store. Hosting Beauty & Wellness pop-up events in collaboration with other local beauty partners is a great way to combine fun, interaction, and exclusivity—all of which lead to stronger customer relationships and increased sales. By hosting these events, you can position your store as a central part of your community’s beauty and wellness journey.

What Are Beauty & Wellness Pop-Ups?

Pop-up events are temporary retail spaces or experiences that bring together different businesses or brands for a short period, creating buzz and excitement. When it comes to beauty supply stores, partnering with businesses that focus on wellness—like local gyms, yoga studios, or even coffee shops—creates a holistic, lifestyle-driven event that can attract a wide range of customers.

How to Plan a Successful Pop-Up

Find Like-Minded Beauty Partners: Look for local businesses that share your values and complement your brand. A local gym could host a pop-up event featuring your beauty products tailored for post-workout skincare, or a wellness café could highlight natural beauty products that align with their organic ethos.

Create a Multi-Activity Event: Pop-ups are more than just selling products—they’re about creating an experience. Offer mini beauty consultations, fitness demos, and skincare tips. Maybe even offer free samples or giveaways to entice customers to engage more deeply.

Incorporate Exclusive Offers: Promote your event with limited-time deals, such as product bundles or discounts on future purchases. This encourages attendees to act quickly and increases the likelihood of immediate sales.

The Benefits of Hosting a Pop-Up

Exposure to New Audiences: Partnering with other businesses lets you tap into their customer base, which can lead to new foot traffic and long-term customers.

Community Engagement: Pop-up events bring people together and can strengthen your connection to the local community, building trust and loyalty.

Brand Enhancement: Positioning your store as a hub for wellness and beauty, not just a place to shop, creates a more comprehensive and attractive brand identity.

THE ART OF HAIR CARE: CURATED PRODUCTS TO KEEP YOUR SHELVES AHEAD OF THE CURVE

As a beauty supply owner, offering the best products to your customers means staying ahead of the latest in hair care, styling, and grooming. Whether your clientele is looking for deep hydration, heat protection, extreme hold, or premium oils to nourish and restore their hair, these standout products deliver.

Sparkling Gray Moisture Balancing Conditioner

Essations Sparkling Gray Moisture

Balancing Conditioner is a strengthening formula that gets the yellow out! Enriched with a unique blend of Keratin protein and Vitamin B-5 to keep those gray strands shiny and healthy. It removes yellowing and green casts and naturally strengthens the hair shaft, while repairing it from everyday damage, and supplying it with nature’s best moisturizers. Essations Sparkling Gray Moisture Balancing Conditioner reveals stronger, moisture balanced, glowing strands of gray hair with no evidence of surface residue.

African Anti-Aging Batana Oil

This product contains only pure Batana Oil. It repairs damaged hair, helps strengthen and thicken hair, and stimulates the scalp. Additionally, it adds moisture to both the scalp and hair, promoting healthier, more vibrant hair.

Heat Protector Straightening Serum

Skin Tight Roll-On Extra Strength Formula

The ultimate skincare solution for razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and razor burn. Designed for both men and women, this powerful roll-on helps reduce and control irritation while enhancing the overall condition of the skin.

This Heat Protector Straightening Serum is a highly concentrated formula that protects the hair against heat damage from flat irons, hair dryers, and curling irons. It leaves hair silky soft with vibrant shine and eliminates frizz. It prevents static and reduces drying time while improving body and manageability. Got2b® Glued

Your customers can lock in their look with Got2b® Glued Blasting Freeze

Spray, the ultimate extreme-hold styling spray. Designed for rockhard styles, this powerful formula keeps hair frozen in place with a high-hold finish that lasts. Whether your customers are spiking, sculpting, or creating bold, gravitydefying looks, this spray ensures their style won’t budge.

Ace Beard Blender TrimmerProfessional Cordless Hair Trimmer

A sleek and lightweight grooming essential, the Ace Beard Blender weighs only 5 ounces, making it perfect for both daily use and travel. Small but mighty, it operates at 7,000 rpm. Crafted from anti-corrosive stainless steel, it cuts through hair in a single tap with remarkable precision. This highquality material enhances the sharpness and efficiency of each cut, providing an exceptional grooming experience. Your customers can enjoy up to 90 minutes of continuous use with the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, which fully charges in 90 minutes or provides a quick 5-minute charge. The LED indicator shows battery status at all times and it can be charged conveniently anywhere with the USB-C port.

Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker Moisture Repair Masque

Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1

Miracle Worker

Moisture Repair

Masque revives tresses with an ultra-hydrating, deeply nourishing formula. Your customers can use it as a deep conditioner for damaged hair or as an overnight hair mask to soften and improve the manageability of dry, brittle hair. Healthy hair and scalp are possible with Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 Miracle Worker Moisture Repair Masque.

Mousse Def Texture Foam

This dual-use mousse provides the perfect amount of hold to define your customers curls or control their sleek look. The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam gives definition, shine, and volume to every hair type and curl pattern. Enjoy the touchable control free of crunch and flaking. Natural Humectants and Silk Protein resist humidity and strengthen hair and leave hair soft and touchable with a lustrous shine.

100% Natural Premium Banana Oil

Stimulate, restore, and revive damaged hair and scalp with By Nature’s 100% Banana Oil. This nutrient-rich oil nourishes deeply, promoting healthier, stronger hair with every use.

ORS Olive Oil Curlshow Curl Style Milk

When your customers use this light-hold, ultra-hydrating curl style milk to prep, detangle, and strengthen hair, they can say goodbye to tame twist-outs and hello to curls that deserve the spotlight. It is perfect for nourishing and softening dry, low-porosity curls and coils, leaving your customers with twist-outs that demand to be noticed.

BY SUSAN QUINN

SUSA N QUINN

The 9 Core Traits of High-Performing Companies Why Some Companies Outperform—And How You Can Too

What sets these companies apart?

An in-depth study was conducted of companies to identify the characteristics of top performers. The findings revealed a critical truth: high-performing companies aren’t just lucky. They operate with a set of core traits that drive sustained success. These organizations don’t merely aim to be “best in class”—they execute a repeatable, scalable, and measurable strategy that fuels their growth.

What are these nine traits, and how can your company embed them into its DNA?

Let’s explore them in detail.

1. A Foundation Built on Purpose and

Values

High-performing companies don’t drift. They operate with a clear purpose that drives their strategy, decisions, and culture. Their guiding principles—vision, mission, and core values—aren’t just corporate jargon. They’re actively demonstrated at every level of the organization.

What makes them different? Leaders continuously reinforce these principles in communication, hiring, and decisionmaking. Employees understand how their roles contribute to the company’s broader mission. This alignment creates a culture of accountability, engagement, and trust—three factors that significantly impact performance.

2. The Employee Experience Advantage

Talent is the fuel that drives a business forward, and high-performing companies treat their employees like their most valuable asset. They don’t just offer jobs; they create environments where employees thrive.

These companies invest in professional development, employee well-being,

and company culture. They prioritize engagement, conduct regular satisfaction surveys, and actively act on feedback. As a result, their employees become brand ambassadors, delivering superior service, innovating, and staying loyal to the company.

3. Customer-Centricity as a Growth Engine

For high-performing companies, customer satisfaction isn’t enough— they aim to create customer advocates.

They analyze customer journeys, remove friction points, and proactively seek feedback. More importantly, they take action on that feedback, refining their offerings and personalizing experiences to create deep relationships.

Data from a global management consulting company shows that fluctuations in a company’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) can explain 2060% of its organic growth. This statistic alone highlights why top companies prioritize customer experience—it directly impacts revenue.

4. Quality as a Cultural Cornerstone

High performers don’t just meet quality standards—they set them.

They integrate quality into every process, ensuring it’s not just a final checkpoint but a guiding principle from the start. This commitment to excellence builds trust and differentiates them from competitors.

Apple, for instance, isn’t just known for technology but for meticulous attention to detail. Highperforming companies operate with the same mindset—whether it’s in their service delivery, internal processes, or employee training.

5. The Adaptability Imperative

Disruption is inevitable. The question is: will your company adapt fast enough to stay ahead?

High-performing companies don’t resist change; they embrace it. They anticipate market shifts, monitor industry trends, and pivot when necessary.

Research has shown that many companies failed during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic—not because they lacked resources, but because they failed to adapt. Meanwhile, organizations that were agile in their strategy and execution thrived.

6. Data-Driven Decision Making

Top companies leverage data to make strategic decisions and track real-time key performance indicators (KPIs) through dashboard systems that are visually engaging. Through the utilization of AI and other software programs they aggregate information across the enterprise for a holistic view and understanding of how all elements fit together. This ensures leaders have access to clear information and actionable insights. More importantly, they align

their data collection with business objectives, avoiding “data for data’s sake.”

7. Ecosystem Intelligence and Collaboration

The best companies don’t just monitor their competitors—they understand the full ecosystem in which they operate.

They recognize that value creation often requires collaboration. Whether through strategic partnerships, industry alliances, or supplier relationships, they position themselves at the center of innovation and market shifts.

8. Operational Excellence Through Simplification

Complexity slows companies down. High performers know this and focus on making operations lean and efficient.

Steve Jobs famously said, “Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.”

Top companies take this to heart. They continuously refine workflows, eliminate unnecessary steps, and automate where possible. The result?

A more agile, cost-effective, and scalable operation.

9. The Learning Organization Mindset

Perhaps the most defining trait of high-performing companies is their relentless pursuit of improvement.

They don’t assume they have all the answers—they continuously learn, evolve, and refine their strategies. They invest in leadership development, create knowledge-sharing platforms, and encourage experimentation.

These organizations view failure as a stepping stone to progress, not a setback. This mindset allows them to stay ahead of industry changes and maintain a competitive edge.

Becoming a High-Performing Organization

If you want to build a company that stands out, start by assessing where you currently stand on these nine traits. Ask yourself:

• Are our purpose and values deeply embedded in everything we do?

• Do we treat employees as our greatest asset?

• Are we truly customer-centric, or do we just say we are?

• Is quality a guiding principle in all areas of our business?

“

This commitment to excellence builds trust and differentiates them from competitors.

• How adaptable are we to change?

• Do we make decisions based on data or gut instinct?

• Do we understand our industry ecosystem and leverage partnerships?

• Have we eliminated unnecessary complexity in our operations?

• Do we foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement?

Achieving high performance isn’t about making one major change—it’s about consistently refining these areas over time. The question isn’t whether these traits matter. The real question is: How quickly can your organization begin embedding them into its DNA?

Meet Susan Quinn

Susan Quinn has worked for 30+ years with Fortune 500 to middle market firms across the country developing strategies that spur growth. As CEO of circle S studio, she supports companies in their quest to ‘better their best’ and brings a keen understanding of how to create a winning strategy. Quinn is the author of Does Your Business Show Up or Stand Out?, a leader’s playbook for implementing the nine traits. For more information, please visit www.circlesstudio.com/businessplaybook.

GODDESS STRENGTH

HAIR REGROWTH TREATMENT

Enhance Every Style with Shine 'n Jam Magic Fingers Collection

As beauty supply store owners, you understand the importance of offering products that cater to the diverse styling needs of your customers. The Shine 'n Jam Magic Fingers Collection is an essential addition to your inventory, providing professionalgrade products that support stylists and individuals in achieving flawless braided styles from start to finish.

Why Your Customers Will Love It

The Shine 'n Jam Magic Fingers Collection is designed for versatility, offering solutions for braids, ponytails, locs, twists, and more. Whether customers are looking to nourish their scalp, maintain their braids, or seamlessly unbraid their hair, this collection has them covered with high-quality ingredients.

Key Benefits & Selling Points

• Complete Styling Solution: Stylists and customers can rely on one brand to achieve, maintain, and refresh their styles.

• Scalp Nourishment: The Nourishing Scalp Oil is infused with Shea Butter, Safflower, Olive, and Amla Oils to soothe and calm irritated or dry scalps while promoting hair health with Vitamin E, Tea Tree, and Peppermint Oils.

• Moisture & Frizz Control: The Daily Moisture Braid Spray hydrates the hair shaft, reducing frizz and tension while prolonging the life of braided styles.

• Easy Unbraiding: The Detangling Un-Braid Spray is enriched with 11 oils and herbs to soften hair, minimize shedding, and make detangling effortless after removing braids.

• Long-Lasting Hold & Protection: The alcohol-free Setting Mousse perfectly sets braids, prevents flyaways, and strengthens hair with Wheat Protein and Avocado.

• Shine & Rejuvenation: The Finishing Sheen provides a lightweight, nourishing shine to braids with Safflower and Argan Oils, preventing dryness and environmental damage.

Marketing Tips for Your Store

• Educate Customers: Highlight the benefits of using a complete braiding system to protect and maintain hair health.

• Demonstration & Sampling: Offer in-store demonstrations or samples of the Setting Mousse and Finishing Sheen to showcase their effectiveness in keeping braids neat and polished.

• Social Media Engagement: Feature videos and testimonials from stylists and customers using Magic Fingers products to create stunning, long-lasting styles.

Why Shine ‘n Jam Magic Fingers? Created with professional stylists in mind, Shine ‘n Jam Magic Fingers provides the tools needed for intricate, protective styles while promoting scalp and hair health. As a trusted name in multicultural hair care, Shine ‘n Jam ensures customers achieve salon-quality results at home or in the chair.

BOOST BEARD BRILLIANCE WITH SILVER FOX GRAY ENHANCING BEARD OIL

As beauty supply store owners, you know that more men are embracing their natural gray hair with confidence and style. To meet this demand, Silver Fox Gray Enhancing Beard Oil is the perfect addition to your shelves, offering customers a premium solution for maintaining their silver, gray, or white facial hair with vibrancy and sophistication.

Why Your Customers Will Love It

Silver Fox Gray Enhancing Beard Oil is not just any beard oil—it is specifically designed to cater to men with gray and white beards. Unlike standard beard oils, it provides deep nourishment while eliminating brassy and yellow tones that can dull the brightness of gray facial hair. With just one application, customers will experience instant results, leaving their beard looking healthy, bright, and well-maintained.

Key Benefits & Selling Points

• Instant Brightness & Shine: Enhances the natural luster of gray, silver, and white beards.

• No Greasy Residue: Absorbs quickly, keeping facial hair soft and fresh without feeling heavy.

• Prevents Dryness & Itchiness: Nourishes deeply to combat irritation and ingrown hairs.

• Brassiness Neutralization: Uses color theory principles to eliminate yellow or brassy tones for a whiter, brighter beard.

• Deep Conditioning Power: Infused with Omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids from grape seed oil, castor oil, olive oil, safflower oil, and argan oil, all known for their ability to penetrate deeply into hair follicles, boosting blood circulation and encouraging thicker, healthier beard growth.

Powered by Color Theory

Brassiness occurs in gray or white hair due to environmental factors or natural oxidization of hair. Purple is opposite yellow on the color wheel, making it a complementary color By balancing out unwanted warm tones, the

shampoo helps maintain a consistent and attractive gray and white color.

Marketing Tips for Your Store

• Educate Customers: Use signage or in-store demonstrations to explain how color theory works in neutralizing brassiness.

• Social Media Promotion: Feature before-and-after transformations on Instagram and Facebook to showcase the immediate results of the oil.

Why Silver Fox?

Silver Fox is dedicated to providing sophisticated grooming solutions for men who embrace their natural aging process with confidence. Carrying this product not only meets the needs of your distinguished clientele but also sets your store apart as a destination for premium men’s grooming products ensuring your customers have the tools to keep their beards looking fresh, nourished, and impeccably stylish—all day, every day.

BY SUSAN ROBERTSON

Why

Innovation Should Be More like EASTER EGGS

So why, as adults, don’t people exercise their inner child-like creativity more often? And what is it about the Easter egg party that allows them to so freely generate and express such range and diversity of ideas? There are several factors—all of which also apply to innovation.

1. Each egg represents a very low commitment. It is cheap in both time and materials to try any idea they think of, so they try lots of ideas. If one doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter—it’s just one egg.

Similarly, in your innovation work, you need to consider and try out many ideas, to ensure that only the best ones move forward. As innovation projects proceed through a company, they get more expensive—in money, time, and labor—at each successive phase. Developing Learn Fast, Learn Cheap methodologies allows you to try out lots of ideas early on, while it’s still cheap.

are nearly always significantly better than what the person would have tried originally.

Unfortunately, in large organizations, too many innovation projects that aren’t quite hitting the mark proceed too far. It’s important to recognize when an idea isn’t working, and then be willing to start again when you need to.

2. They leverage not only individual creativity, but also use the power of the group. Someone will think of an idea to try, and then toss it out to the group. Then everyone contributes ideas for how best to accomplish it. No one ever says, “Yes, but that won’t work.” Everyone just thinks of ways to help make it better. The resulting final solutions

In many companies, the “Yes, But” phenomenon is all too common, and can be very damaging to creativity and innovation. Most ideas aren’t perfect when they’re first conceived, but teams act like they should be. They point out all the problems in an emerging idea before they ever attempt to find out if there’s anything good about it. For innovation and creative problem solving to thrive, it’s critical to create an environment that nurtures ideas rather than stifles them, so you get the benefit of the best thinking of the entire team.

3. They are willing to start over when something clearly isn’t working. One woman brought eggs that were not naturally white; instead, they were brown. It wasn’t clear that dyeing them would work very well, if at all. And, in fact, the first few attempts didn’t work. So, she scraped off all the color on her unsuccessful eggs several times. But when she chose red, yellow, and orange colors and left them in the dye bath long enough, she got some of the most uniquely rich and vividly colored eggs anyone had ever seen.

Be willing to start over when the idea isn’t working. Reframe the opportunity to expand your thinking.

4. Reframing the goal results in more divergent ideas. The woman with the brown eggs also tried other methods of decorating the eggs, not just coloring them with dye. Once she reframed the problem from coloring eggs to decorating eggs, everyone else also began creating the most innovative and unusual eggs of all.

This reframing of the problem is a critical step in effective problem-solving and innovation. This is because the way a problem is stated affects the potential solutions you will think of. So when addressing any obstacle, it’s a good idea to question the way the challenge or problem is worded, to see if you can reframe it to get to different and better solutions.

So the next time you find yourself with eggs to decorate—or a challenge to meet— keep these tips in mind to help you think more creatively and come up with more innovative solutions.

• Learn fast, learn cheap. Test many possible ideas.

• Leverage individual and group creativity; “Yes, and” instead of “Yes, but”.

• Be willing to start over when the idea isn’t working.

• Reframe the opportunity to expand your thinking.

Meet Susan Robertson

Susan Robertson empowers individuals, teams, and organizations to more nimbly adapt to change, by transforming thinking from “why we can’t” to “how might we?” She is a creative thinking expert with over 20 years of experience speaking and coaching in Fortune 500 companies. As an instructor on applied creativity at Harvard, Susan brings a scientific foundation to enhancing human creativity. To learn more, please go to: SusanRobertsonSpeaker.com.

day IN THE LIFE

LEADING WITH PRECISION: LaTissue French on Logistics, Leadership, and Success at Kaleidoscope Hair Products

Behind every smooth-running operation is a leader who thrives on organization, efficiency, and teamwork. As the Director of Operations at Kaleidoscope Hair Products, LaTissue French ensures that everything— from warehouse logistics to product fulfillment—flows seamlessly. With a passion for structure and problem-solving, she keeps the team moving forward while embracing the dynamic nature of the beauty industry. In this exclusive feature, LaTissue shares a glimpse into her daily routine, the challenges she tackles, and the rewarding moments that make it all worthwhile.

OTC: What’s your title and role at the company?

LaTissue: My title is Director of Operations. My role pretty much entails making sure that the warehouse runs smoothly, things are in and out, products are ordered as needed, and that the customers are getting everything that they asked for.

OTC: What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty and hair care industry?

LaTissue: To be honest, I did not have a true desire for beauty and hair, because I was mainly into logistics. But once I joined the Kaleidoscope Hair team, it peaked my interest! Now I’m trying to find out all things hair. Trying to learn how to comb my own hair!

OTC: Can you walk us through a typical day at work?

LaTissue: What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office? A Typical day for me usually starts off with checking my emails and prioritizing my day. I see what I need to tackle first and get organized. But things never go smooth like that! As I prioritize the day…the fires start! So The list moves around a bit and I have to stay flexible.

touch-base with the warehouse managers to check their needs. Once they’re taken care of, I return to my office to place orders, take meetings, and do things of that nature.

So that’s my day! My day usually starts around 8 am and ends around 6 pm… that’s a lie! It does not end!

OTC: How do you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities during the day?

Flows seamlessly. With a passion for structure and problemsolving, she keeps the team moving forward while embracing the dynamic nature of the beauty industry.

LaTissue: I am a big writer, I love to write down my tasks. Even though I have a task manager on my computer, I like to keep notes on both. I like to prioritize in writing and on calendars. That’s the go-to for me.

OTC: What’s your favorite part of the day at work, and why?

Once I get settled down and know what my tasks are, I go to the warehouse and

LaTissue: I’m gonna take it back to when I first started. My favorite part was interacting with the team in the warehouse. Getting in with them and packing and pulling orders. Now I still love to walk around and interact with the warehouse team, it just happens less often. It’s the highlight of my day!

OTC: Can you share an exciting project or initiative you’re currently working on?

LaTissue: Working along with the team for NPD has been very exciting. While it can also be anxiety-inducing, it’s fun to see the start to finish. This is my first year being this close to the NPD projects and seeing how everything comes together. I love being a part of all the different discussions.

OTC: What’s your favorite product, and how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?

LaTissue: Now I can answer this question! Soulfed is my favorite collection. My favorite product out of the collection is the pecan oil. For my usual twist-out style, I’m using the Soulfed Peach Cobbler Gel Styler, Da Brat Yo Fav Wrapper Mousse, and the Soulfed Pecan Pie Growth Booster Oil. I mix the gel and the Da Brat foam while doing my 2-strand twists, and when I take it out, I use the pecan oil to refresh my hair.

OTC: How do you stay inspired and keep the creative energy flowing throughout your workday?

LaTissue: I have a positive outlook, period. I’m always finding the good in everything that’s going on. Even if the day is at the height of having me at a 20/10, I make sure to reel it back in. I focus on what I can make happen. Because some of our days can really reach a peak. When everyone is asking for something from me, I go back to my list and see what I can handle and what I can fix now. I will refocus my list and prioritize the most important tasks first.

OTC: How does collaboration and teamwork factor into your daily routine?

LaTissue: All of the departments have a role to play in what everyone does! I have to work with Sales because I have to make sure sales has everything that they need, and they give me a heads up. So when they tell me we have an event going on and our customers will probably order more products, I have to make sure I have more products available. They forecast and know what they need and give me a heads up.

The same goes for the Marketing team and their events. We have to work together to make sure I can provide what they need. Collaboration is big here, so we all need to work together.

OTC: Do you have any personal rituals or habits that help you stay balanced, motivated, and productive?

LaTissue: My ritual is to listen to music in the morning to get my day going and to give me the motivation and energy that I need. If you start off the day dragging and complaining, the day is going to stay that way all the way through. So, I listen to uplifting music to get me through and get me started.

OTC: How would you describe the company culture, and how does it influence your approach to your work?

LaTissue: So, since I have been here, I have always felt that the Kaleidoscope culture is family. We are all extremely close. We have no problem with calling each other’s phones at any time of the day or night just to bounce an idea or troubleshoot a problem. It is definitely a family-oriented feel here.

That’s why I have the relationship I have with my warehouse team. I’m proud to say I do not have turnover. My team stays pretty strong. We as a company moved to Atlanta in 2021, and one of our girls has been with us since then!

OTC: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future in the coming year?

LaTissue: In the coming year, I am excited to see the growth of the compnay. We have a lot of big things coming and I can’t wait to see them come to fruition. Our last big collection was Kaleidoscope X Da Brat and it has taken the world by storm! I am excited to see the new collections launch and see how well they perform. That’s really exciting for me!

OTC: After a busy day, how do you unwind and recharge?

LaTissue: Usually, when I get home to unwind, it looks like getting in front of the television with a snack for a little while, and then I’m in the kitchen cooking. I cook every day, and that is relaxing for me. That is my wind down.

OTC: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

LaTissue: For my job, when I can say nobody is waiting on anything from me and that I’ve been able to answer all the questions…that’s rewarding. When no one has to say,” I asked you this but you never got me this.” To stay on schedule, stay on track, and get everyone what they need is very rewarding for me. I can forget things sometimes, so when I go through a week and haven’t forgotten anything, that is pure success!

This is our warehouse based in Temple, Georgia. It serves as a place to fulfill orders, record content, and collaborate as a team.

Collaboration means being there for each other, to help bounce ideas and to troubleshoot problems as a team.

Our warehouse team works hard to make sure everyone gets their orders in a timely manner. This is where love and care is put into every order.

Prioritizing work tasks at the start of the day. Getting organized and seeing what needs to be tackled first.

Miracle Drops is the #1 growth system on the market with over 4.5 million edges saved worldwide. They call our CEO and founder, Jesseca Dupart, president of edges for a reason!

Taking some time to relax at the end of a productive day at the Kaleidoscope Headquarters.

beauty Insider:

An Interview with

WINSTON Sophia

With over a decade in the beauty industry, Sophia’s journey began as a self-taught makeup artist fueled by passion and creativity. Her dedication led her to become MAC certified after intensive training, opening doors to incredible opportunities. From having her work featured in Sheen Magazine and the Sheen Magazine Awards to showcasing her artistry at Atlanta Fashion Week, Sophia has made her mark in the industry. Now, as an advertising manager for OTC Beauty Magazine, she bridges the gap between brands and beauty supply owners, helping businesses thrive while staying ahead of the latest beauty trends.

Can you share a little about your journey in the beauty industry? What led you to become both a makeup artist and an advertising manager?

I’ve always had a deep love for beauty—ever since I was in highschool I walked into the beauty supply store at 16, the lady offered to put lashes on me for a school dance, and I was hooked. I became a professional makeup artist over ten years ago, I worked with different brands, models, and everyday people which gave me a unique perspective on what makes a product truly stand out. When I transitioned into advertising, it felt like a natural extension of my passion. Now, I get to help brands tell their stories and connect with beauty supply store owners in a meaningful way. It’s the best of both worlds.

If you had to describe your personality in three words, what would they be?

Creative, Warm, and Motivated. I love finding solutions and thinking outside the box—whether it’s in makeup, marketing, or life in general.

How does your background as a makeup artist influence your approach to advertising and marketing in the beauty industry?

It helps me understand both the artistry and the business side of beauty. I know firsthand what customers look for in a product, what sells, and what feels gimmicky.

What are some of the biggest makeup and hair trends you’re seeing right now?

Right now, we’re seeing a return to soft, natural glam—glowy skin, fluffy brows, and monochromatic makeup. But at the same time, bold statements like colorful eyeliner and graphic eye looks are huge thanks to social media. On the hair side, textured styles and protective styles are getting even more innovative, with a lot of focus on healthy hair

care. Wigs and extensions are still a staple, but now there’s a bigger emphasis on scalp health and natural hair underneath.

How do you think social media is shaping beauty trends and consumer behavior?

Social media is everything in beauty right now. Trends that used to take months to develop now pop up overnight because of TikTok and Instagram. Consumers are more informed than ever, which means brands have to be really transparent about ingredients, performance, and inclusivity. It’s also shifting power—beauty influencers and everyday customers are shaping trends just as much as (if not more than) big brands. Beauty supply owners who pay attention to these shifts can stock up on what’s buzzing before it goes mainstream.

How do you see beauty supply stores evolving in the next few years? What should store owners be doing now to stay ahead?

Beauty supply stores are becoming more than just places to shop— they’re becoming community hubs. The ones that thrive will be the ones that build strong relationships with their customers, whether it’s through in-store events, educational workshops, or even creating a stronger online presence. Also, I think carrying more indie and Blackowned brands is going to be key. Customers love discovering unique products that they can’t always find at big-box retailers.

What’s one beauty trend you’re excited about right now?

I’m loving the resurgence of glossy lips! I was never a huge fan of the super matte lip era—I always felt like a little shine made everything look fresher and more youthful. Now, with all these juicy lip oils and plumping glosses, everyone’s embracing hydration and shine again.

If you could only use three beauty products for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Oof, that’s tough! But I’d have to say a good brow pencil (because brows frame the face), a hydrating concealer, and a tinted lip balm (because I need a little color but also moisture).

What’s a fun or unexpected fact about you that people might not know?

I actually have a small obsession with organizing my beauty stash. My friends joke that I should start a side business decluttering people’s makeup bags. But honestly, having everything neat and accessible makes getting ready so much more fun.

Inside the World of Cantu: Dametria Kinsley & McKay McEowen on Leadership, Innovation, and Passion

For over a decade, Dametria Kinsley and McKay McEowen have worked side by side, growing the Cantu brand and deepening their partnership in the beauty industry. Their shared history—spanning from their early days at Advanced Beauty to their leadership roles at PDC Brands—has not only strengthened their professional collaboration but also sparked a friendship built on mutual respect and a shared passion for beauty and wellness. In this candid interview, they take us inside their daily routines, share what keeps them inspired, and give an exclusive look at the exciting innovations coming to Cantu.

OTC: What’s your title and role at the company?

Dametria Kinsley- Global Vice President of Marketing

McKay McEowen- Senior Sales Manager PDC Brands

Dametria and I have worked together on the Cantu brand for over 12 years. We started together at Advanced Beauty in Dallas and have continued to build our relationship at PDC Brands for the last 9. We joke about starting a podcast so we thought it would be fun to complete the interview together.

OTC: What is the company’s mission, and how does it drive what you do?

PDC Brands & Wellness mission is to infuse wellness into the lives of everyone, everywhere, every day. For over 40 years, we’ve believed that everyone should have access to quality wellness products so they can look and feel their personal best.

OTC: What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty and hair care industry?

MM: I didn’t know the beauty and hair care industry was where I was meant to be, but I did know sales was something I always wanted to pursue.

DK: I came from the entertainment industry and wanted to continue

to connect with consumers beyond function but emotively. Shortly after getting an MBA from Emory University, beauty and brand marketing kind of found me. And I never looked back - that was over 15 years ago.

OTC: Can you walk us through a typical day at work? What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office?

MM: For the past nine years, I’ve been working remotely with PDC Brands. My day always starts the same way: I grab an iced coffee and settle into my home office. Then take a quick look at my calendar to see what’s on the agenda and spend time brainstorming and organizing my task list before meetings begin.

OTC: How do you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities during the day?

MM: Keeping a detailed list of important tasks is essential for me to prioritize daily responsibilities. I maintain both an immediate to-do list and a weekly overview, which helps me stay organized and focused throughout the day and week.

OTC: What’s your favorite part of the day at work, and why?

MM: My favorite part of the workday is collaborating with the Cantu marketing team to brainstorm.

Thankful to work with such a wonderful team. Dametria (left) and McKay (right) at a recent Cantu launch event.

Meetings with customers at Cosmoprof Miami, excited to see what the year holds!

Curl Activator Cream, Cantu’s top selling styling product, increases curl definition with each use and elevates curly styles no matter the hair type.

This is where meetings and events come to life. Our space is filled with a wall of all products currently in the market!”

PDC office #1 and #2 pictures are from just outside of the board room in Stamford, CT where many meetings take place.

DK: It is hard to pick one, it could be reading a review from a consumer to reading an email from a colleague that is living in their passion and purpose through this powerful platform we care for called Cantu. It is really about the people we serve inside and outside of the company.

OTC: Can you share an exciting project or initiative you’re currently working on?

MM: The NEW! Cantu Weightless Collection is launching in March at OTC!

DK: We are always continuing to find ways to evolve to better address the needs of our consumers - with this said lots of new news for the brand including 15 new and improved best sellers now made with fair trade organic shea butter and vitamin B complex to help promote healthier hair no matter how you wear.

OTC: What’s your favorite product, and how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?

MM: My go to Cantu product has been the Thermal Shield Heat Protectant for many years. However, with our new Weightless line I’m very fond of the 15+ Benefits Daily Leave In.

DK: You never have a favorite child! But I have always loved our Curl Activator Cream that just got an upgrade. But also, have been super proud from a product development perspective of our collaboration with celebrity stylist, Angela C. Stevens (@angelacstyles - instagram) and the carefully curated Protective Styles Collection.

DK: All hands-on deck. Lean but mighty.

OTC: How does collaboration and teamwork factor into your daily routine?

DK: Our team is global but connected at the same time - we all work together all over the world to make sure our brand experience is the same no matter where you purchase you will get high quality care for textured hair.

OTC: Do you have any personal rituals or habits that help you stay balanced, motivated, and productive?

MM: I’ve recently taken up Pilates and I enjoy walking. I have a 2-yearold Golden Retriever (Max,) so it’s helpful for me to get out of the house at some point during the day for a walk in the sunshine.

OTC: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future in the coming year?

MM: I’m most excited about the continuous evolution of the industry and category.

OTC: How do you stay inspired and keep the creative energy flowing throughout your workday?

DK: Lot of collaboration, consumer engagement and our partners both inside and outside the company.

OTC: How would you describe the company culture, and how does it influence your approach to your work?

MM: The company culture at PDC is both welcoming and collaborative. Within the PDC sales team, we’re a group of over 19 members who thrive on working together to support and serve all sectors of our customer base.

DK: One thing constant in beauty is change and that is what keeps it exciting year after year.

OTC: After a busy day, how do you unwind and recharge?

MM: I have 2 sons, (age 2.5 and 6.5.) Not always relaxing, but I enjoy spending time with them after a long day! My kindergartener is currently learning to read which is exciting.

DK: My crew too - my kids are 4 and 6 - perfect little ages with lots of perspectives on life.

OTC: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

MM: The most rewarding aspect of my job is the people. With over 10 years in the industry, I’ve built many business relationships that have grown into genuine friendships. The OTC and distributor industry truly feels like one big family.

DK: The people, our purpose to care for every curl and our partners.

Allison Janney to Be Honored With the 2025 MUAHS Distinguished Artisan Award

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards

Oscar® winning actress Allison Janney accepted the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) Distinguished Artisan Award on February 15th, the union’s top honor, at the 12th Annual MUAHS Awards, presented by the L’Oréal Groupe and Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty. The MUAHS Awards, hosted by Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson, took place at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

Known for her versatile and award-winning performances across film, television and theater, Janney has received a myriad of accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and seven Primetime Emmy Awards, in addition to nominations for two Tony Awards. Currently, she stars in Netflix’s “The Diplomat” the Apple TV+ hit series “Palm Royale.”

“Allison Janney brings such an eclectic range of fascinating characters to life in collaboration with her make-up and hair teams. Her talent and versatility as an actress have won the hearts of fans on screen, TV, and stage around the world. In her multi-award-winning career, she

has portrayed a variety of memorable characters - from an estranged mother to the Vice President of the United States. We are excited to present the Artisan award to Allison and celebrate her achievements in the entertainment industry,” said Julie Socash, President, MUAHS, IATSE Local 706.

The Distinguished Artisan Award is presented to an artist whose consistent collaboration with Local 706 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists has richly enhanced and created memorable characters throughout their career. Allison Janney’s transformation into iconic characters has enthralled audiences and inspired countless artists in the industry. She joins the ranks of previous recipients of the MUAHS Distinguished Artisan Award including Annette Bening, Johnny Depp, Guillermo Del Toro, Ryan Murphy, Melissa McCarthy, Sir Patrick Stewart, Eddie Murphy and Gary Oldman.

Janney’s breakthrough came with her portrayal of C. J. Cregg on the NBC political drama “The West Wing,” which earned her four Primetime Emmy Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and four

industry NEWS

nominations for the Golden Globe Award. She earned further Emmy wins for her performances on television series “Masters of Sex” and “Mom,” bringing her cumulative wins to seven. By virtue of this, she is the second most awarded thespian in the history of the Emmy Awards (along with Ed Asner).

Janney has starred in various acclaimed films including “American Beauty,” “The Hours,” “Hairspray,” “Juno,” “The Help” and “Bombshell.”

For her portrayal of LaVona Golden in “I, Tonya,” Janney won the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Critics’ Choice Movie Award, Golden Globe Award, Independent Spirit Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress.

For her work on Broadway, Janney has received two Drama Desk Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Clarence Derwent Award, the Theatre World Award, four nominations for the Drama League Award and two nominations for the Tony Award.

As previously announced, Todd McIntosh, Emmy®-winning make-up artist, known for his work on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Memoirs of a Geisha,” and Peter Tothpal, award-winning hair stylist known for his work on “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,” will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Vanguard Award will be bestowed upon RCMA Makeup.

In light of the recent devastating Los Angeles wildfires that have affected many Union members, Local 706 will raise funds at the 12th Annual MUAHS Awards to support the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation. This foundation provides vital direct financial assistance to all IATSE Union members who been affected by natural disasters, including the Los Angeles wildfire victims. For more information about the Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation, please visit: https://iatse.net/socal-fires/.

Returning as producers of this year’s MUAHS Awards (#MUAHSawards) are IngleDodd Media and Erick Weiss of Honeysweet Creative. For

more information, please visit www.local706.org.

The 12th Annual MUAHS Awards were proudly sponsored by Presenting Level: L’Oréal Groupe, Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty; Premier Level: Ardell, Max, Netflix, The Walt Disney Company; Platinum Level: Amazon Studios, BigMack Hair & Makeup Trailers, The Milton Agency, Paramount Pictures, Schwarzkopf Professional; Gold Level: Le Mieux Skincare, First Entertainment Credit Union, Warner Bros. Pictures; Silver Level: A24, AMC, Codex Labs™, GHD, IATSE, Immunocologie Skincare, Moonplay Cosmetics, Nocturnal DesignZ Studio, Starz, Westmore Beauty; Gift Bag Sponsors: L’Oréal Groupe and Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty; Addiction Tokyo, Ardell, Cinema Secrets, Codex Labs ™, DUO, Felix Professional, Hollywood Fashion Secrets, K18 Hair, Lab Series, Le Mieux Skincare, NYX, Olaplex, RCMA Makeup, Salon Perfect, Schwarzkopf Professional, Urban Decay, Westmore Beauty, Woody’s, Youth to the People; Media Sponsors: Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Immersive Media, The Powder Group, Shoot Online, Variety, The Wrap.

About the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706)

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild was chartered in November 1937. Today, its diverse membership includes over 2,300 make-up and hair styling artisans in motion pictures, television, commercials, music videos and live theater. The Local 706 Guild honors a spectrum of outstanding achievements at its annual MUAHS Awards, publishes “The Artisan,” a glossy quarterly magazine, and provides panels, workshops and training for members to foster a spirit of innovation in the craft.

Developed to address the issues of ingrown hairs, razor bumps, razor burns, bikini bumps, and acne.

BIKINI

Inside the Innovation: Morrishane Collins on Creativity, Leadership, and Empowering Beauty at House of Cheatham

In this month’s A Day in the Life feature, we’re giving you an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into the day of Morrishane Collins from House of Cheatham, the dynamic brand that’s redefining beauty for textured hair. From the spark of inspiration and the flow of creative energy to the balance of daily tasks and work-life harmony, we’re diving deep into the personal and professional routines that fuel the success of this beloved brand. Get ready to see what it takes to lead and innovate at House of Cheatham—and how the team’s dedication to nourishing and empowering natural beauty comes to life every single day.

OTC: What’s your title and role at the company?

Morrishane: I am the Chief Sales Officer at House of Cheatham, overseeing the company’s global sales operations.

OTC: What is the company’s mission, and how does it drive what you do?

Morrishane:

Let me share our overview stance and company values:

People First

We care about our colleagues, consumers and community above all else. Every day, we seek to earn each other’s trust and respect by bringing a human-centered approach to all that we do.

Integrity Matters

We hold fast to our promises and are dedicated to delivering reliable brands and consistent products to our consumers. Our dependability and esteem for colleagues define our success.

Strive for Excellence

We value progress over perfection and are committed to getting better each and every day. By giving it our all and having a can-do mentality,

we ensure our quality and reputation never falter.

Collaboration is Power

We are stronger together when we work towards shared goals. Our focus on creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued is of the greatest importance.

Be Courageous

We view every obstacle as an opportunity and are eager to find creative solutions to the challenges that we face. Our brands and products are bold and unique - so are we.

Show Your Pride

We are passionate about our work and draw inspiration from the positive impact it has on people’s lives. We celebrate our victories together, both big and small, and encourage our consumers to do the same.

OTC: What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty and hair care industry?

Morrishane: My career began in the consumer packaged goods industry, primarily focusing on consumable products like candy and water. In 2014, an opportunity

BEFORE

arose for me to work in the beauty sector, which was the first time I genuinely felt excited about a role—like a kid in a candy store! There’s nothing more fulfilling than working in a category where you represent the primary consumer. It was truly inspiring. What sustains my inspiration is when I encounter individuals who express how much our product means to them or how it has positively impacted their hair journey. That kind of connection is unparalleled.

OTC: Can you walk us through a typical day at work? What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office?

Morrishane: My day starts even before I leave the house because I lead a global team. Since part of my team is overseas, I check any overnight communication promptly. I make an effort to respond before it’s late in their time zone. Upon arriving at the office, I immediately engage with the teams physically present. We have numerous crossfunctional meetings and activities focused on our new product development, scaling business, business development, and all other initiatives to help us grow and perform better in the market.

OTC: How do you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities during the day?

Morrishane: Of course, I prioritize my day and responsibilities based on the business needs. Every day, I start with a plan of what I’ll do. I’ll outline what needs to happen, how I’ll engage with my team leadership, and my customers. However, I prioritize based on what’s most relevant to the ultimate goal of the business. If something urgent arises, I have to address it immediately. I evaluate how it affects our organization’s or my department’s overall objectives. My priority is always on what’s most important and beneficial to the business’s needs.

exciting part of what we do every day because that’s when we bring our creative minds, as well as our customer facing sales team in one space. Those meetings are filled with a lot of creative ideas and ways we can better serve the consumer so we can show up our best for our consumer and customers. It’s just a lot of free thinking, and input that you can’t duplicate, and it comes from a genuine place of excitement and passion because we’re all excited about what we’re trying to make and what we’re trying to sell so those meetings are always exciting to hear from, all of our teams in one place

OTC: Can you share an exciting project or initiative you’re currently working on?

Morrishane: We’re deep in the process of launching three new Aunt Jackie’s SKUs that are designed to help consumers when wearing their hair in braids, twists, or locs. These products provide long term itch relief, odor deodorizer and fragrance along with a dry shampoo for the scalp so consumers can wear their style for weeks without needing to wash their hair and mess up the beautiful hair parts. It’s really exciting to watch it all come together and see the products on shelf!

OTC: What’s your favorite product, and how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?

Morrishane: That’s a tough question, haha. It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. If I had to choose one, I’d say Knot On My Watch. I have very coarse hair, and part of my hair care challenge is detangling. Anything that helps me speed up that process is top-notch in my opinion, and Knot On My Watch is unmatched in loosening my curls and coils.

OTC: How do you stay inspired and keep the creative energy flowing throughout your workday?

Morrishane: Ultimately, our consumer is the driving force behind everything we do. One of the things I love about working in the consumer package goods industry is that we understand the impact our products have on people’s lives. We realize that we are part of their families, and we take that responsibility very seriously. This inspires us to be meticulous in our ingredient selection and thoughtful in our pricing. We want to treat our consumers like our own family, and we strive to ensure that every product we create meets their needs and expectations.

OTC: What’s your favorite part of the day at work, and why?

Morrishane: my favorite part of the day at work is the cross functional collaboration with sales and marketing. Those meetings are the most

When you work in an environment where you know that every product you create will be taken home and used by a consumer, it’s crucial to treat it with the utmost care and attention. We take every step to ensure that our products are not only effective but also affordable. We want to

#1 BRAND FOR WOMEN OF COLOR

SHADES EXPERTLY MADE FOR TEXTURED HAIR

make sure that our consumers can afford our products, and we believe that by doing so, we are helping them achieve the look and feel they desire.

My inspiration is to always keep our consumers at the forefront of everything we do. We want to make sure that they are satisfied with our products and that they feel valued as part of our family.

OTC: How would you describe the company culture, and how does it influence your approach to your work?

Morrishane: Our culture is highly inclusive, which means we’re incredibly diverse and open to input and feedback from everyone on the team. We strive to avoid giving directives and instead work collaboratively to achieve our collective goals. There’s a lot of laughter and fun in our office. It’s a fun environment filled with passionate individuals who work tirelessly every day to position our company effectively in the market.

In my office

OTC: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future in the coming year?

Morrishane: I’m thrilled about some of the exciting things you’ll see from our brands this year. We’ve put in a lot of effort to address the needs our consumers have expressed, particularly in the areas of protective styles, hair retention, and scalp protection. Stay tuned for some amazing things coming your way!

OTC: After a busy day, how do you unwind and recharge?

Morrishane: After a busy day, I unwind by disconnecting from technology. I often unplug to recharge myself. Ironically, all the devices I rely on daily require charging. A satisfying meal, quality time with my family, and an engaging crime show—that’s the perfect recipe for a rejuvenating day.

OTC: How does collaboration and teamwork factor into your daily routine?

Morrishane: As I mentioned earlier, our collaboration is crucial. One of my favorite parts of the day is when the sales and marketing teams collaborate. It’s essential to ensure that we consider things from a creative perspective. We also think about things from a customer’s point of view, which is beneficial for us. Additionally, it’s good to think about things from a consumer perspective. We need to collaborate on all aspects because someone may have an idea, but it’s amplified when you can get input from those around you.

OTC: Do you have any personal rituals or habits that help you stay balanced, motivated, and productive?

Morrishane: I’m not sure if I’d call it a ritual, but I do have a “quote” that I adhere to. I believe it’s crucial to how I function every day. The quote is “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” The reason we have two ears and one mouth is very important; we should listen attentively to what people have to say and be slow to respond. I do this in a manner that’s respectful and mindful, which helps me get through each day.

OTC: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Morrishane: The most rewarding aspect of my job is the knowledge that my team and I can place products in even the most remote regions of the world, empowering women to access beauty products. Regardless of where you reside, every woman deserves the right to feel beautiful and confident. I am fortunate to be a part of ensuring that these products reach them. That’s truly remarkable.

Team Collaboration

Schwan Cosmetics to unveil new blurring, soft-focus Cloud Touch Finish collection at MakeUp in LA

Responding to the continued “cloud skin” trend for blurred, soft-focus, and matte-finish looks, the Cloud Touch Finish collection offers six new lightweight, high-performance formulations covering eyes, lips, and face products. The customizable range enables beauty brands, from innovative emerging labels to established bestsellers, to differentiate while responding quickly to market demands and trends across multiple product categories.

Schwan Cosmetics, German color cosmetics manufacturer and supplier to many of the world’s biggest beauty brands, is set to unveil a collection of six new formulations designed to deliver a blurry, softfocus, naturally radiant finish. The new Cloud Touch Finish collection will be launched at MakeUp in LA on February 12-13, 2025. The range responds to the sustained but rapidly evolving trends “cloud skin” and “blurred makeup,” offering beauty brands swift access to market-ready, turnkey solutions that align with current consumer preferences and predicted upcoming trending looks.

The collection’s development was driven by significant social media engagement with the #CloudSkin hashtag, which has generated over 112 million views on TikTok. Following the previously prevalent trend of ultra-dewy complexions, the cloud skin trend has seen a shift away from high-shine looks to more subtle finishes. This trend looks set to continue throughout 2025, along with ‘90s nostalgiainspired matte finishes and blurring, haze-like textures.

new labels looking to grow, need to respond quickly to emerging trends while preserving their unique identity. Our role is to anticipate and identify trends early and translate them into versatile products that allow our customers to stand out,” explains Anke Krasser, SVP Global Sales Americas. “The Cloud Touch Finish collection exemplifies this approach. The range offers solutions that enable brands to capitalize on the trend for soft-focus, filter-like matte finishes with high-performance solutions and multifunctional concepts across multiple product categories. Customizable options, such as packaging formats, also help individual brands to maintain their unique market positioning while closely satisfying fastevolving customer demands with rapidly implemented product launches.”

The Cloud Touch Finish range offers a new take on the evolving trend, blending matte finishes with a blurry glow. It also caters to the minimalist beauty routines favored by many today, giving an understated, shine-free look and filter-like finish that smooths skin imperfections while maintaining a natural, skin-like texture. The collection offers longevity, versatility, and a fresh look that photographs beautifully under a variety of lighting conditions, making it ideal for both daily wear and high-profile events.

As a white-label supplier to many of the beauty industry’s leading brands, as well as the most exciting, emerging innovators, the new Cloud Touch Finish portfolio is another example of how Schwan Cosmetics’ agile product development quickly turns trends into innovative, globally compliant, and market-ready products.

“In the fast-paced U.S. market, beauty brands, especially innovative

The Cloud Touch Finish collection includes the Cloud Touch Eye Soufflé liquid eye blush, Cloud Touch Cheek Soufflé liquid cheek blush, Cloud Touch Lip Soufflé liquid lip blush, a lustrous touch eye cushion liquid eye color, a weightless blur stick liner for lips, and a cloud-like lipstick blur crayon. Each product incorporates advanced technology that transforms from lightweight formulas to silky, long-lasting finishes. By incorporating technologies like 3D elastomer structures, nourishing oil infusions, and innovative gel-to-cream transformations, the Cloud Touch Finish collection delivers superior blendability, long-lasting performance, and sensory appeal.

“Consumers demand innovative offerings that are not only functional but also visually and emotionally captivating, especially on social media,” explains Theresa Lehner, Product Manager at Schwan Cosmetics. “The new Cloud Touch Finish range offers a luxurious, soothing sensorial experience that is achieved by soft, light, and caring materials and products. The collection expands on our Blotted Mochi Bounce multitasker launched in 2024 and focuses on creating diffused, seamless transitions, particularly in products like blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow.”

Beauty in bloom: in-cosmetics Global brings cosmetic science to Amsterdam this Spring

in-cosmetics Global, the leading global event for personal care ingredients, will bring over 1,000 exhibitors and nearly 12,000 attendees to the RAI Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 8–10 April.

The 2025 edition is poised to be one of the most international events to date, featuring exhibitors and attendees from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, showcasing the industry’s latest advancements in science, innovation, and sustainability.

This year, the organizers will debut the Testing & Regulation Forum, in partnership with Skinobs. The forum will bring together experts to discuss the latest updates in compliance, testing, and safety, providing attendees with insights to navigate the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.

Global spotlights

Industry leaders such as BASF, Lubrizol, Symrise, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics by Clariant, Givaudan Active Beauty, Ashland, Evonik, and Croda will be among the prominent names featured at the event. Complementing these big players will be over 170 new exhibitors in the First Time Exhibitor Zone, including Tiny Cargo Company, Nanopharma, Bio H41, Melt & Marble, LanzaTech, Vollmens Fragrances, Exolitus, and more.

Marketing Trends Theatre

Attendees will learn from leading analysts, researchers, scientists, marketing experts, and company founders about the latest cosmetic industry trends and consumer insights in the Marketing Trends Theatre. To meet high demand for the sessions, priority seating and visitor upgrades will be available to ensure attendees can secure their seats, beat the queues, and not miss key findings.

Day one will open with Emilie Hood, Beauty and Consumer Health Consultant at research house Euromonitor International, in the opening session, ‘Beauty Outlook: Innovation in Personal Care’ highlighting how beauty brands position their benefits and speak effectively to consumers.

Nikola Matic, Vice President of Chemicals and Materials at Kline + Company, will present ‘Ingredient Trends: Navigating the Challenges of Emerging Trends.’ The session will explore how ingredient suppliers have adapted to cost sensitivity, supply chain disruptions, and the demand for natural and sustainable solutions. It will also address challenges like sourcing issues, imports, competition, and costs, along with proven strategies to overcome them.

Day two will feature experts discussing dermocosmetics, science of haircare, biotechnology, fragrance, and many more emerging trends.

industry NEWS

The panel session, ‘Dermocosmetics Debate: The Science-Driven Evolution of Skincare,’ will highlight how dermatological influence and science-led innovation are redefining skincare.

Denise Herich and Jennifer Stansbury, Co-founders and Managing Partners of The Benchmarking Company, will present ‘Fragrance Frenzy: Scents & Emotions Consumers Crave from Your Brand,’ diving into how consumers want to feel when using scented products and discuss current fragrance preferences, purchase drivers, and influencers behind trying and buying scents.

The final day of the event will feature experts from Mintel, Euromonitor, Natura Bissè, Keune Haircosmetics, Croda, and more, discussing areas such as the business of beauty, digital transformation, Gen Z beauty consumers, and other emerging topics.

Innovation Zone, sponsored by Ashland and partnered with Mintel

Standing as the epicentre of cosmetic innovation, the zone will display over 197 new personal care ingredients launched over the last six months within Functional and Active categories. Companies such as ALGAKTIV S.L., DSM Nutritional Products Europe AG, Sappi Biochemtech B.V., and PROVITAL, S.A. will debut new ingredients in 2025.

All featured ingredients will be contenders in the Innovation Zone Best

Trust, INABATA FRANCE, the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety, Regenagri, Roka Furadada, and more will lead the sessions. This year, the forum will be located on the show floor for improved accessibility.

The pavilion will connect visitors with suppliers offering solutions to enhance their sustainability operations and credentials, reduce environmental impact, and explore the importance of certifications that support sustainability claims. Meanwhile, the interactive display area will showcase the latest advancements in sustainable personal care. The theatre will also host presentations from industry pioneers, such as AAK, Clariant, Hallstar Beauty, AmphiStar, Eurofragance SLU, and more, offering strategies to transform business structures for true sustainability.

Testing & Regulation Forum, in partnership with Skinobs

On day three, the event launches the Testing & Regulation Forum, which will see experts from Skinobs, HORMETA Switzerland, Cosmeservice, and REACH24H address the latest updates in compliance, efficacy testing, and product safety. Specialised sessions will focus on longevity testing, anti-pollution efficacy, beauty and the law, and other key areas of interest.

Ingredient Award at the Awards ceremony on 8 April.

Sustainability Zone, sponsored by AAK and in partnership with The Green Chemist and Ecovia Intelligence

The Sustainability Zone features the latest advancements in green beauty, from sustainable sourcing to eco-friendly formulations and regulatory updates. This dedicated zone will include four key areas: the forum, pavilion, display, and theatre, each offering valuable insights and opportunities to embrace sustainability in beauty.

Following its successful launch in 2024, the forum, curated by Dr. Barbara Olioso, CEO of The Green Chemist Consultancy, returns with an expanded two-day programme covering topics such as Life Cycle Analysis (LCAs), natural silicone alternatives, sustainable packaging, and methods to minimise carbon emissions. Experts from The Carbon

Technical Seminars,

YOUR CURLS, YOUR STAGE. NATURALLY.

Curlshow™ has everything you need to pull your curls, coils, and kinks from the background and put them where they truly belong: front and center! The Curlshow™ collection of high-performance products is made with Collagen and Avocado Oil to help moisturize strands and protect hair from breakage for longer, stronger look-at-me curls in any style. Because why blend in, when you can show up and show out?

industry NEWS

manufacturers, private labels, and indie brands.

Testing, Regulation & Lab Zone, in partnership with Skinobs

Featuring Abich-Lifeanalytics, PhD Trials®, Miravex Limited, Validated Claim Support Sequential Skin, and ZURKO RESEARCH S.L., the zone will share solutions to ensure the safety, stability, and shelf-life of personal care products. It will also provide insights on the latest trends in lab equipment and measuring devices. Here, attendees can receive guidance on selecting the most appropriate testing methods and choosing the right Contract Research Organisation (CRO) for their evaluation needs.

Fragrance Zone

In the Fragrance Zone, attendees can explore some of the latest creations from leading fragrance houses and ingredient suppliers, such as Luzi AG, Eurofragrance, and others. The area will display new aromas, fragrance delivery systems, and formulation processes, as well as explore the art and science behind fragrance creation and key fragrance trends from the global market.

Sensory Bar

The Sensory Bar will feature transformative textures and product formats from nearly 50 exhibitors, including DSM Nutritional Products Europe AG, KSM-66 Ashwagandha, Sweetch, and Kao Chemicals Europe, amongst others. These exhibitors will present their unique textual products for moisturisers, haircare, fragrances, and lipsticks, designed to surprise and delight attendees.

Make-Up Bar

Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Sun Chemical, Azelis Group NV, and Elementis will be featured in the Make-Up Bar, where attendees can enjoy a hands-on experience testing a wide range of colour cosmetics, including (but not limited to) eyeshadows, foundations, nail varnishes, and lip lacquers.

R&D Tours, sponsored by Mibelle, Symrise and Probiotical

The silent, guided tours offer expert-led insights into key trends in neurocosmetics, skin screening, and femcare. Attendees will be guided as a group to different companies’ stands, where they can experience live demonstrations and see first-hand the latest ingredients and

formulations shaping these emerging trends.

Country Pavilions

Dedicated country pavilions from the UK, France, Brazil, China and Spain, will showcase localised ingredients, providing unique insights into regional expertise and trends shaping the global beauty industry. Attendees seeking solutions from regional markets will have the opportunity to connect with suppliers from these specific countries.

Spotlight on Upcycling

Attendees can meet Kaffe Bueno, Innomost, Gaia Tech AG, Lignopure GmbH, Evolved By Nature and Lipoid, who will be showcasing how byproducts like coffee grounds and fruit can be transformed into sustainable cosmetic solutions, meeting the growing demand for ecofriendly beauty.

Paid Premium Pass

This year, the event introduces a Paid Premium Pass, providing exclusive access to the executive lounge, a dedicated space for visitors to take a seat, recharge, or catch up on emails, with drinks and refreshments served throughout the day.

Roziani Zulkifli, Event Director of in-cosmetics Global, commented: “Following a record-breaking show last year, the 2025 edition certainly promises to be an exciting one, with a stronger focus on high-level cosmetic science, technical expertise, and innovation. Additionally, we will be placing greater emphasis on exploring the industry’s testing and regulatory processes, as this area becomes increasingly important across various regions.

“As a hub for business creativity, Amsterdam will serve as a fitting backdrop for the 2025 edition. We look forward to connecting the global personal care community and uniting the industry to connect, inspire, share insights, and spark new collaborations.”

in-cosmetics Global, presented by KSM-66 Ashwagandha, is recognised as the premier destination for beauty and cosmetic science professionals. The event will take place from 8-10 April 2025 at the RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands. For more information and to register to attend, visit www.in-cosmetics.com

YOUR BEARD CARE GAME.

PREMIUM GROOMING PRODUCTS CRAFTED FOR COARSE HAIR & SENSITIVE SKIN.

day IN THE LIFE

Leading with Excellence: Alunda Bradley on Production, Quality, and Teamwork at J. Strickland

Behind every successful production line is a dedicated team working tirelessly to ensure quality and efficiency. For Alunda Bradley, Production Manager at J. Strickland, this means balancing productivity with a commitment to excellence in every step of the process. From ensuring the production lines run smoothly to overseeing daily operations, Alunda takes pride in maintaining high standards that ensure every product meets the company’s values of trust and quality. In this exclusive feature, Alunda shares a glimpse into his daily routine, his approach to leadership, and the rewarding moments that come with being part of a company that feels like family.

OTC: What’s your title and role at the company?

Alunda: My title is Production Manager. My role is to ensure productivity on the production lines while maintaining high-quality standards. We strive to run as many production lines as possible each day while prioritizing efficiency and excellence. Quality is always our top priority—we make sure every product meets our standards because we understand its impact on the end user. We want every customer to receive a product they can trust, so we focus on both quality and productivity in everything we do.

OTC: What is the company’s mission, and how does it drive what you do?

Alunda: Our Company’s Mission and Core Values

Our mission is to always do our best and ensure that our products meet customers’ expectations. We are guided by 12 core values that define our commitment to excellence:

• Communicate Clearly – Ensure that others can understand.

• Be Committed – Dedicate ourselves fully to our work.

• Remain Accountable – Take responsibility for our actions.

• Attitude Matters – Maintain a positive and professional mindset.

• Trust the Process – Follow established procedures with confidence.

• Emphasize Teamwork – Work together to achieve success.

• Respect Others, Respect Yourself – Treat everyone with dignity.

• Quality Starts With Us – Take personal ownership of quality.

• Never Stop Learning – Continuously grow and improve.

• Make It Right – Correct mistakes and strive for excellence.

• Be Honest – Act with integrity and transparency.

• Exceed Expectations – Go beyond what is required.

These values shape everything we do, ensuring that we deliver the best possible products and experiences to our customers.

I always think of the customer as if they were my own family. When we produce a product, I ask myself if it’s something I would want my own family to use. That mindset pushes me to work even harder to ensure the highest quality in everything we produce.

OTC: What inspired you to pursue a career in the beauty and hair care industry?

Alunda: Actually, my connection to this company started with my family. Once I joined, I realized that the products we make were ones I used as a child. That made me even more excited to work here.

What truly solidified my decision was the people—the owners and my coworkers. The company has a strong family-oriented culture, which made me feel right at home. I take pride in producing high-quality work, knowing that these are products I’ve used my whole life. Being part of something that has always been in my life feels like a full-circle moment.

OTC: Can you walk us through a typical day at work? What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office?

Alunda: The first thing I do is check to make sure we have enough people to run the production lines. I start by checking my voicemails to see who has called in or who might be absent. Once I confirm our staffing for the day, I ensure that production can run smoothly. Fortunately, we usually have the majority of our team present, so we’re able to operate multiple lines efficiently.

Quality is always our top priority. We make sure that everything we produce meets our standards because we know our products go to real people, and we want to provide the best possible experience. I also monitor the production lines to ensure they are running at the correct speed and efficiency. Meeting our production numbers is important, but we never sacrifice quality in the process. We also conduct inspections throughout the day to ensure we have high-quality components and products. In addition to our own checks, our Quality Control (QC) team follows up with additional inspections. We also have line leads who continuously monitor production, making sure everything is running efficiently and meeting our quality standards. I make sure we have the right products on the lines, maintenance support for proper setup, and blending teams delivering materials. I also oversee inventory, ensuring the correct components are used and that finished products are properly palletized with accurate counts.

I rely on a strong system and a great team, including six lead associates who do an excellent job keeping operations efficient. They train employees, keep everyone on task, and check in with me throughout the day to ensure everything stays on track. Ultimately, our focus is always on maintaining productivity while delivering highquality products.

that everyone we encounter is placed in our lives for a reason.

Beyond that, I take great pride in my work. It means a lot to know that I’m contributing to getting high-quality products out to customers. Some people see their job as just a paycheck, but I take my role seriously and put in my best effort every day. It’s not just about me—it’s about the company as a whole. We all take pride in what we do, and while every company has its ups and downs, I truly appreciate the work we accomplish together.

OTC: Can you share an exciting project or initiative you’re currently working on?

Alunda: I’m currently working on an annual donation project called Black College Today, which supports HBCU students and staff. Each season, we partner with up to 15 historically Black universities, providing gift bags filled with our products, trinkets, and our business card. This gives students the opportunity to sample our products, and we always appreciate their feedback.

We also support initiatives like Sister Strut, which raises awareness for breast cancer. This is an annual project we participate in twice a year. In addition, we donate to nursing homes, women’s shelters, various schools, and organizations like Hope House, ensuring that those in need have access to our products. These donations not only provide essential items but also contribute to the missions of various charitable causes.

OTC: What’s your favorite product, and how do you incorporate it into your daily routine?

OTC: How do you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities during the day?

Alunda: Quality is our top priority, and we strictly enforce it at every stage of production. I take every precaution to ensure that nothing we produce negatively impacts the customer. This includes at every step: following proper safety protocols and regulation, as well as wearing gloves and a hairnet to prevent contamination. Additionally once I know the lines are good to go, I will typically check emails as well to ensure effective and reliable communication between the front office and the production lines throughout the day.

OTC: What’s your favorite part of the day at work, and why?

Alunda: My favorite part of the job is being around people, even though working with others can sometimes be challenging. I believe

Alunda: I like to keep it simple with the original Blue Magic, or “The OG” as everyone here calls it. I’ve been using it for years, and I love how it makes my hair look and feel. As I mentioned earlier, my mom used Blue Magic on me when I was a child, so it’s always been a part of my hair care routine.

I’m also excited to try a new product we just released—the Doo Gro Braids, Twists, & Locs Mousse. It’s part of a whole new line of braid care products, which includes a moisturizing gel, braid oil, moisturizing spray, and braid butter. I can’t wait to see how these work!

OTC: How do you stay inspired and keep the creative energy flowing throughout your workday?

Alunda: I always stay inspired by thanking God for everything and praying for everyone on my way to work. I believe in the power of prayer, and I know it can make a difference as long as you have faith.

Once I get to work, I focus on encouraging those around me—not just within my department, but across all departments. I try to inspire others to stay positive about the job and remind them to give their best in everything they do.

OTC: How would you describe the company culture, and how does it influence your approach to your work?

Alunda: Our company culture is taking pride in the work we do, and it’s not just about us—it’s about the customers too. We all appreciate our jobs, and even though every company has its own culture and its ups and downs, there’s always something new to learn and grow from, and to look forward to. Here at J. Strickland, its all about having a great attitude while getting out great products to our customers.

I’ve been with the company for 30 years, which says a lot. Over the years, I’ve seen many changes, including our move from Memphis to Olive Branch, Tennessee. I’ve had the privilege of meeting many people, and I’ve watched several colleagues retire after 50 or even 60 years. This company has been around for a long time and for good reason. We’ve continued to evolve with the introduction of new equipment, making things more efficient, and throughout these changes, our workforce has remained strong. The company has never jeopardized anyone’s position but instead has focused on helping us nurture, improve and grow our careers, which benefits us all.

OTC: How does collaboration and teamwork factor into your daily routine?

Alunda: All the managers have a daily meeting, including the production manager, maintenance manager, blending manager, plant manager, and representatives from other departments like shipping and receiving. This ensures that every part of the operation is aligned and working toward the same goals.

I can’t emphasize enough how important quality is to our company. It’s been our foundation since the beginning, starting with the royal crown and the white rose. Our focus on quality is why we’ve been successful, and it remains at the core of everything we do.

Starting the day with everyone on the same page is key to ensuring everything runs smoothly from the very beginning.

OTC: Do you have any personal rituals or habits that help you stay balanced, motivated, and productive?

Alunda: I pray regularly, not just for my family and home, but also for my work family. We spend so much time here—often 10 to 11 hours a day—that it becomes our second family. We witness each other’s lives unfold, seeing children grow up, get married, and start families of their own. It’s a strong bond that goes beyond just being coworkers. For example, I’ve watched the owner’s daughter grow up and get married. Many of the people I’ve worked with have been here for over 20 years, and I’ve been here for over 30. We’ve built lasting friendships, and it feels like a marriage—there are good days, bad days, and even

tough moments. But we get through it together, with prayer and faith, knowing that everything will work out. We’ve made it through challenges, like the pandemic, and stayed open because we trust that God has a plan for us.

OTC: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future in the coming year?

Alunda: I’ve seen a lot of changes recently like our new equipment coming in, and it’s been an exciting transformation. I actually started out in the screen shop, where my job was to put the print on the containers. That was my role initially. I worked in that department before moving up within the company. One of the great things here to look forward to is the opportunity for internal promotions. When the production manager resigned, I was able to step into the role. Along the way, I also trained in other areas, including blending, where I worked with the blending manager, and in shipping and receiving, where I trained with that manager as well. I’m excited to see where 2025 takes us, we are always evolving and pushing the limits of what we can accomplish as a small legacy company.

OTC: After a busy day, how do you unwind and recharge?

Alunda: At the end of the day, I make sure everyone leaves the same way they came in—either better or at least the same, but always safe. I encourage them to work safely so they can go home to their families happy and healthy. When I go home, I usually relax, though I sometimes do a little crafting. My daughter has taken over most of it, but I enjoy making things like pottery, flower arrangements, wreaths, and decorative pieces, including for the company. These activities help me unwind and clear my mind.

When I go on vacation, I tell the team not to call me unless it’s urgent. I need time to disconnect and relax, because it’s important to give your mind a break from work. We also get a massage once a year, which helps with stress relief. It can get busy and stressful, but it’s essential to take time to relax and meditate to avoid being overwhelmed.

OTC: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Alunda: The most rewarding part of the job is knowing that we did a great job as a team. It’s not just about me—it’s about all of us working together. Production is like the heartbeat of the company; it’s essential for everything to flow smoothly. Just like the heart, it keeps the company alive. When everything is moving, we know we’re progressing.

I always emphasize that it’s a team effort. We’ve been pulling together nicely, especially with the new programs and machinery we’re working with. There are a few hiccups here and there, but we’re handling them and turning those challenges into opportunities for improvement. It’s great to have a team that cooperates and works together to keep everything on track and I’m honored to part of such a wonderful company.

Picture of Company Building

Alunda excitedly speaks with her team during a production meeting, discussing daily and long-term plans for production.

A screen-grab of the latest TV spot featuring our newest products released this year under Doo Gro Braids · Twists · Locs braidcare line.

Deeply focus, Alunda begins her day at her desk, tackling several tasks

Our most iconic and classic beauty products since 1936 on display, showcasing our creativity and evolution in the beauty world throughout the decades.

Alunda attending the Freedom Awards, she loves to attend events supporting various charities and organizations.

The Ultimate Guide to Hair Color Care and Maintenance

Everything Your Customers Need to Know to Keep Their Color Vibrant and Healthy

In the world of hair care, one of the most popular trends continues to be vibrant hair color—whether it’s a dramatic color change or maintaining a beloved hue. For beauty supply store owners, this means stocking a variety of products designed not just for coloring hair, but also for keeping it healthy, vibrant, and long-lasting. Color-treated hair requires special attention, and your customers will rely on you to provide the best products and expert advice.

Whether your customers are rocking bold reds, pastel pinks, rich brunettes, or platinum blondes, maintaining their color and ensuring their hair stays healthy is essential. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to help your customers care for their color-treated hair and keep it looking flawless.

The Basics of Hair Color Care

Hair coloring involves the use of chemicals that open the hair cuticle and deposit color pigments inside. This process can leave hair more vulnerable to damage, so color-treated hair needs more TLC than untreated hair. Whether they’re coloring at home or visiting a stylist, your customers will need the right products to keep their color vibrant and their hair in great condition.

The key to maintaining color-treated hair is hydration, nourishment, and protection. When you recommend the right products, you help your customers extend the life of their color while keeping their hair healthy and shiny.

Must-Have Products for Color-Treated Hair

As a beauty supply store owner, it’s important to provide a range of products specifically formulated for color-treated hair. Here’s what you should have in stock:

1. Color-Safe Shampoo and Conditioner

Shampoo and conditioner are the foundation of any hair care routine, and color-treated hair requires formulas that protect and preserve the color. Recommend sulfate-free shampoos, as sulfates can strip hair of its natural oils and cause the color to fade faster.

Recommended Products:

• Sulfate-Free Color Care

Shampoos: These shampoos gently cleanse the hair without stripping color.

• Moisturizing Conditioners: Color-treated hair often needs extra hydration, so recommend conditioners that provide deep moisture and nourishment.

2. Deep Conditioning Treatments

Frequent coloring can leave hair dry and damaged, so deep conditioning treatments are

a must for repairing and maintaining color-treated hair. These treatments provide intense moisture and help restore elasticity and strength to hair.

Recommended Products:

• Moisture-Rich Deep Conditioners: Formulas with ingredients like shear butter, keratin, and argan oil are great for keeping hair soft and healthy.

• Protein-Infused Masks: These masks help restore hair’s strength and elasticity, especially after multiple rounds of color.

3. Leave-In Conditioners

“

Help your customers extend the life of their color while keeping their hair healthy and shiny. ”

Leave-in conditioners are an essential for color-treated hair, providing moisture and protection without weighing hair down. They also help with detangling and prepping hair for styling.

Recommended Products:

• Leave-In Moisturizers: A lightweight leave-in conditioner helps lock in hydration while protecting the hair from heat styling.

• Heat Protectants: If your customers use hot tools, make sure to recommend a good heat protectant to prevent heat damage and color fading.

4. Color-Specific Treatments and Serums

To ensure your customers’ color remains vibrant for longer, recommend specialized color-protecting serums and shampoos formulated to lock in the color and prevent it from fading due to UV exposure or environmental damage.

Recommended Products:

• UV Protection Sprays: These products protect hair from the damaging effects of the sun, which can cause color to fade quicker.

• Color-Enhancing Serums: These products help boost color vibrancy and add shine without affecting the color itself.

5.

Clarifying

Shampoos for Color Build-Up

While it’s important to avoid overuse of clarifying shampoos, occasionally using one to remove color build-up or product residue can be beneficial. Be sure to recommend this product with caution to avoid over-drying hair.

Recommended Products:

• Gentle Clarifying Shampoos: These shampoos remove excess product build-up, helping restore color clarity and brightness.

Tips for Maintaining Hair Color

As a beauty supply store owner, you have the power to guide your customers in caring for their color-treated hair. Here are a few tips and tricks to share with your customers to keep their hair vibrant and healthy:

1. Wash Less Frequently

Frequent washing can strip the hair of natural oils and cause color to fade faster. Recommend that your customers wash their hair less frequently, especially during the first few weeks after coloring.

Tip: Suggest using a dry shampoo to freshen up between washes.

2. Avoid Hot Water

Hot water can cause hair color to fade more quickly, as it opens the hair cuticle and allows color to escape. Encourage your customers to wash their hair with cool or lukewarm water to keep their color intact.

Tip: Recommend a cool water rinse at the end of their shower to seal the cuticle and lock in moisture.

3. Deep Condition Regularly

As color-treated hair is more vulnerable to dryness, regular deep conditioning treatments are crucial for maintaining moisture and strength. You can create a package that includes deep conditioners and leave-in products, making it easier for your customers to get everything they need in one purchase.

Tip: Suggest leaving in a deep conditioning treatment once a week to repair hair from the inside out.

4. Protect Hair from Heat Damage

Color-treated hair is more prone to heat damage, which can cause the color to fade prematurely. Recommend using heat protectants before blow-drying or styling with hot tools like straighteners or curling irons.

Tip: Suggest ceramic or tourmaline styling tools, which distribute heat more evenly and cause less damage.

5. Hydrate from the Inside Out

Healthy, vibrant color starts with healthy hair. Encourage your customers to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and taking hair vitamins that support hair growth and health from the inside.

Shelf-Worthy Selections: Premium Products for Every Hair Need

As a beauty supply owner, offering high-quality products is key to meeting the diverse needs of your customers. From styling gels that lock in precision to nourishing oils and revitalizing shampoos, our curated selection ensures your clients leave with the best for their hair. Featuring powerful formulas for both men and women, these products deliver strong hold, moisture, and vibrant results — perfect for all hair types and styles.

Editor’s Picks: Must-Have Beauty Essentials

Style & Finish Like a Pro

Achieve flawless, long-lasting styles with this powerhouse trio!

The Shape & Define Braid Gel is the ultimate secret to sleek, polished braids. Its lightweight yet strong-hold formula keeps parts crisp and braids neat, ensuring a frizz-free finish that lasts. Infused with olive oil, it not only smooths but also nourishes, delivering a radiant shine without buildup. Whether you’re creating intricate cornrows or simple braids, this gel gives your braids a professional, salon-quality look.

For ultimate versatility, the 5-N-1 Styling Foam is a game-changer—braid, smooth, edge, slick, or scrunch all with one product! Its unique formula provides maximum definition and a flexible, long-lasting hold, perfect for setting styles in place without stiffness. Whether you’re sculpting sleek ponytails, defining curls, or finishing protective styles, this foam provides a natural looking seal for a flawless, frizz-free finish.

Healthy hair starts at the roots, and the Soothe & Shine Scalp Oil delivers the nourishment your scalp craves. This lightweight oil eases tension and prevents dryness with a unique blend of natural oils and botanical extracts. It conditions the scalp while adding a nourishing, non-greasy shine to locs, twists, and braids. Perfect for protective styles, it helps soothe itchiness and promotes overall scalp health, ensuring your hair stays strong and radiant from root to tip.

Perfect your style from start to finish with these stress-free essentials!

Flawless Hair Removal with GiGi All Purpose Honee™ Wax

When it comes to hair removal, the GiGi All Purpose Honee™ Wax is the gold standard.

As the #1 hair removal wax in the world, this professional-grade formula provides a smooth, sleek finish that lasts.

Why You’ll Love

It:

Honey-Infused Formula – Enriched with beeswax, this gentle yet effective wax soothes the skin while removing hair from even the most delicate areas.

Long-Lasting Results – Enjoy weeks of hair-free skin with results that last up to six weeks.

Effortless Application – Melts at a low temperature for easy prep and a smooth, mess-free application.

Bigen

Permanent Powder

Hair Color Bigen Permanent Powder is a gentle, deposit-only hair color that lasts. Bigen Permanent Powder does not require lifting (lightening) action to darken hair. While some ordinary permanent hair colors unnecessarily utilize both actions, Bigen’s simple coloring system means less damage to your hair. Bigen Permanent Powder Hair Color leaves your hair looking smooth, natural-looking and shiny.

Bigen Permanent Hair Color is ideal for those looking for long lasting, excellent gray hair coverage or to enhance their natural hair color. A proven formula for over 60 years that guarantees effective results, the unique powder formula is activated by water and deposits rich, natural-looking color into even the most stubborn gray hair. With no ammonia required, this deposit-only color is the gentle choice for rich color and optimum shine regardless of your natural hair color, consistency, condition, length or style!

Top-Selling Jinny Beauty

Products Your Customers Will Love

From long-lasting color and lightening formulas to nourishing treatments and styling essentials, these products deliver exceptional results, ensuring your customers leave satisfied with healthy, vibrant hair. Explore these favorites and see how they can boost your sales and enhance your product offerings.

Lottabody Coconut Oil and Shea Wrap Me Foaming Curl Mousse

This is an anti frizz foaming mousse for curly hair that deeply moisturizes, leaving curly hair soft, nourished, and brilliantly shiny. The formula ensures quick and hassle-free styling, making this curling mousse perfect for on-the-go moments and spontaneous looks. It’s ideal for wash and wear styles, this curl mousse is your customers all-in-one solution for defining curls, controlling frizz, and adding body and shine.

High Beams Intense Temporary SprayOn Hair Color –Black

It provides vibrant, temporary color with organic ingredients for subtle highlights, bold statements, and added hair protection. Shake well and spray onto dry hair from 6-8 inches away for a quick, even application. Easily washes out with shampoo.

BW2+ Powder Lightener

With up to 9 levels of lift, the versatility of being able to use it in various ways and its creamy texture, it is a dream product for anyone seeking to achieve lightening. The ability to easily mix it to the desired consistency and it’s vegan formula are added bonuses. A white powder is also included for more accurate color readings and an easy application. BW2+ powder lightener is designed to make the blonde coloring process, more accessible and customizable, it can be used on and off the scalp, which is a new feature. People also really love this formula to lighten hair extensions, wigs and weaves.

The Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Oil

This nutrient-rich, intensive formula is meant to help your customers address their hair concerns. From nourishing hair follicles, smoothing split ends and helping with dry scalp, this hair oil uses essential oils to provide the care your customers’ hair deserves. They can use it on protective styles, including braids and weaves, and enjoy its fresh, invigorating scent during their next hot oil treatment. It is infused with Biotin and can be used for daily hair care or specialized scalp treatments. It features more than 30 essential oils and extracts while improving length retention. It conditions dry scalp and smooths split ends.

OTC BOOK CLUB

Does Your Business Show

Up Or Stand Out?: How Better Experiences By

Design Spur Growth

By Susan Quinn

Businesses have been around for thousands of years—and so has the quest to unlock the secrets of lasting growth. After decades of running a company and guiding clients as a business consultant, I’ve learned one truth: there’s no single silver bullet. Real success comes from mastering the small things, day after day. Because if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind.In this book, I’ve distilled research and hands-on experience into a powerful playbook, highlighting nine traits shared by the world’s most successful companies. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, these insights will help you sharpen your daily focus and elevate your annual strategy sessions. Every company shows up, but the ones that STAND OUT regularly pause to assess what’s working, simplify what’s not, and pinpoint where they can do better. Ready to stand out? This roadmap will show you the way.

Beauty

Bu

Sophia Winston Advertising Sales Representative

Q: What advice can beauty supply owners give to customers who are trying to grow their edges or repair thinning hair?

A: Sophia: Edges and thinning hair need special care and attention. Beauty supply owners can recommend growth serums that contain ingredients like biotin, castor oil, and rosemary, which stimulate hair growth. Encourage customers to avoid tight hairstyles that pull on the edges and use satin scarves or bonnets at night to protect their hair. Consistent moisturizing and scalp massages can also help promote healthy hair growth.

Q: How can beauty supply owners assist customers in choosing the right shade of lipstick for their skin tone?

A: Sophia: Lipstick is a fun way to experiment with color, but customers often struggle to find the right shade. Stock a variety of shades, and offer testers so customers can try different colors before buying. Lip liners are also key in creating a polished look, so recommend shades that can define the lips.

Sophia Winston, a multifaceted beauty enthusiast, makeup artist, and advertising professional has over nine years of experience in the beauty industry.

JBS Beauty Club has all your accessory needs with necklaces, earrings, scarves, sunglasses, etc. Stock your store with only the best from JBS. As part of the largest beauty supply distributor, you can always buy items by the piece and at great prices. For more information, call 800-361-0786 or visit them at 4300 Northeast Expressway, Doraville, GA.

BOLD

I. Purchase the required amount of the vendor’s products. Coupon good for ONE TIME PURCHASE ONLY.

2. Fill out the coupon, supplying all necessary information.

3. Return the refund coupon* along with a copy of your original Jinny invoice** per Manufacturer’s request.

4. You’ll receive a credit from your Jinny Beauty Supply Accounting Department to be used on your next Jinny invoice.

5. NO RETURNS will be accepted on coupon purchases. *Original only, NO COPIES will be accepted. **Copy of invoice MUST ACCOMPANY refund for credit.

• AQUA BLUE SHAMPOO

• BRAID SPRAY

• DEEP CLEANING SHAMPOO

• LOC TWIST/BRAID BUTTER

• LOC TWIST/BRAID GEL

• LOC TWIST/BRAID OIL

• LOC TWIST/BRAID SCALP SOLUTION

• MEDICATED SHAMPOO

• OIL MOIST LOTION

• OIL MOIST LOTION [LT]

show CALENDAR

MARCH | APRIL

Date

March 2-3 Professional Beauty London London, UK www.pblondon24.showhub.live

March 2 Jinny Big Show at Atlanta Atlanta, GA www.jinny.com

March 4-7 Natural Products Expo West Anaheim, CA www.expowest.com

March 9 Jinny Big Show at New Jersey Cinnaminson, NJ www.jinny.com

March 12-13

March 15–17

March 20–23 Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, Italy www.cosmoprof.com

March 23–25 IBS New York New York, NY www.ibsnewyork.com/

March 23 Jinny Big Show at Chicago Chicago, IL www.jinny.com

March 23–25

March 28–30 Beauty Dusseldorf Dusseldorf, Germany https://www.beauty-duesseldorf.com

March

March 30-April 1 ISPA Phoenix, AZ www.experienceispa.com/events

April 12–14

April 15–17

April

April 28-30

RETRACTION NOTICE

In the June 2023 edition of OTC Beauty Magazine, an article and advertisement were run which incorrectly identified PureO Natural Products LLC and Trendz Beauty Academy LLC's LOC N products as counterfeit products. Trendz Beauty Academy LLC and Nicole Shuler are the creators and owners of authentic LOC N products. To purchase authentic LOC N products, or for additional information about LOC N products, you can:

• Visit Trendz Beauty's website at https://www.locnhairproducts.com/;

• Send Trendz Beauty an email at info@locnhairproducts.com;

• Call Trendz Beauty at 484.763.3975; or

• Follow Trendz Beauty on social media at

▶ @locnhairproducts (Instagram)

▶ https://www.facebook.com/locnhairproducts (Facebook).

Community Corner

Let your voice be heard!

In this segment, OTC Beauty Magazine wants to find out what is important to you, our loyal readers. Posing a handful of questions each month, our goal is to learn through feedback how to better serve you. We ask that you take a few minutes to share your thoughts; write responses on this sheet and mail it back to us, or send it via email.

여러분의 목소리를 내세요! 여러분의 목소리를 내세요! OTC 뷰티 매거진은 소중한 여러분의 의견을 수렴하려고 합니다. 매달 몇 가지의 질문을 통해 여러분의 의견을 듣고, 좀더 발전된 잡지를 만들고자 합니다. 약간의

시간을 내 주시어 여러분의 생각들을 전달해 주세요. 질문지에 답변을 하여 저희 사무실로

보내주시거나 이메일을 보내 주시면 됩니다.

(연락처는 이 페이지 맨 밑에 있습니다)

• What color products are selling the best in your store?

• Do you currently have an area offering tips for color moisturizing products?

• Is there any other topic you would like to see covered in OTC Beauty Magazine?

When we receive your feedback we will choose a few answers to feature in the next month’s issue. You could be famous just by answering a few questions – simple as that! We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for supporting this publication. 보내주신 답변 중 몇몇을 뽑아 다음달에 기재하도록

Name (성함)

Store Name (상호명) __________________________________

State (주)

Mail this form to: ( 보내실곳 : ) OTC Beauty Magazine, Attn: Editorial Dept. 3587 Oakcliff Rd. - Doraville, GA 30340 Email: editor@otcbeautymagazine.com

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