Let me count the ways ...

One of the biggest questions I get about ONLY is “how should I use it?” And the answer is … well, what do you need?

So here’s a handy guide to just a few of the many ways I’ve used ONLY for my clients and my own family. Need a few more reason? How about using ONLY as:

• a volumizer,

• curl cream,

• co-wash,

• face wash

• twist out cream 

• makeup primer 

• or sunburn lotion?

I can’t wait to find out how you use ONLY conditioner!

Enjoy!

TGIFF (Thank Goodness it's #FreebieFriday!)

Here at ONLY, we want to empower you to make the best decisions for you and your family. That’s why we ONLY use the best ingredients, and ONLY what your hair and skin really needs — always with the highest standards, with no unnecessary chemicals or dyes — to be healthy and beautiful.

That’s why we’re introducing our first #FreebieFriday! Are you interested in becoming an ONLY customer? Leave a comment telling us your own hair and skincare goals.

Every week, we will select one random commenter — or follower, or Pinner — who can tell us what they’re looking for from ONLY. The lucky winner will be sent ONLY samples so they can try it for themselves.

And for all of you who already use ONLY, we’d love to hear from you, too! Good luck, and happy Friday!

What is a co-wash?

A co-what? It’s short for COnditioner-WASH, meaning you use your conditioner as both a shampoo and conditioner.

I’m all for simplifying routines, but it’s important to follow the rules so that you don’t end up throwing off the balance of your hair.

The act of co-washing actually goes back allllll the way to Roman times. Crazy right? The Romans adopted the theory that like dissolves like, i.e. hair sebum is oil and we have plenty of olive oil, so lets put olive oil on the hair to dissolve the sebum.

And, I mean, that’s great and all, but then what dissolves the olive oil?

In fact, co-washing works through the action of scrubbing and pH balancing your scalp. One of the ingredients in ONLY Conditioner, Cetrimonium Chloride, acts as a super mild cleansing agent and doubles as a conditioner and detangler. Scrubbing your scalp really well then helps to stimulate and cleanse the skin, while the ONLY Conditioner has a chance to rehydrate the scalp. This takes the place of a shampoo and your hair stays softly balanced the whole time, without drastically drying out the cuticle. By staying at a healthy balance, and not containing oils, ONLY Conditioner is the perfect co-wash.

Using ONLY as a co-wash

For soft and light hair, here’s what you do:

1. Wet your head really well.

2. Put a good amount -- about a quarter of your palm’s worth -- of ONLY Conditioner on your scalp.

3. SCRUB really, really well into your scalp. Pretend you’re trying to scratch a lottery ticket -- but ALL over your scalp. Every inch.

4. Rinse lightly, to where your hair still feels slippery.

5. Give one more quick scrub to make sure you didn’t miss a spot.

And that’s it! The difference this will make will astound you! Your hair will feel so fresh. If you feel like it’s time for a change, this healthy, easy method that will simplify your life.

Think of ONLY like a toner and an oil-free moisturizer, but for your hair and scalp. Your scalp needs the exact same attention as your face, but why isn’t anyone talking about that?

Happy skin, happy hair, happy life.

Some tips for the trade...

Have you ever thought about making your own product, creating something that is all your own and then selling it? I will say that the journey to get to this spot where I am, in the bottling and labeling phase and sending it out to the world phase, has been a lot of trial and error. But, if you want to make something, and want to find someone to make it for you, I definitely have a couple of key things that I learned along the way, so that you don't have to make the same mistakes. OK, mistakes is a pretty strong way to think about it, but I didn't know any better, so here are just some thoughts so that your process can be a little bit more sped up. 

1. Find people that are like minded. Immerse yourself around people that want to create and build a business, because this will help with your motivation, and also as a sounding board to keep committed.
2. Be selective of who you do talk to. Find people that you can trust to not share or monetize your idea before you have a chance to roll it out. Depending on what stage you are in the process, find 2-3 people that you can keep your idea under wraps with who will also provide guidance along the way.
3. Find a mentor. This is very important, because a mentor will help to teach you and can help develop your idea because they have most likely already been down the same path, or know people that you can reach out to.
4. When finding someone to produce your product, make sure that you are protected with a non-disclosure document. If you do not take the effort to protect your idea when you work with a company or individual, there is a chance your idea could get taken or reproduced. Having documents in place before you hand over your trade secrets will help protect you against infringement (i.e. copycats).
5. If your product needs packaging, either ask your manufacturer who they buy their packaging through, or find forums online of people that make something similar and reach out. You want to find a reputable company so that you can be assured of continuous stock. Don't be afraid to ask for samples!
6. Join local groups, entrepreneur online discussions, forums, meet-ups, basically anything that revolves around marketing, making, and producing consumer products or goods. You'll never know who you'll meet that will help take you to the next level!

The beginning of a journey

My first test samples from my manufacturer in Austin, Texas!

This picture may not look like much, but this picture, these bottles, have summed up what I have finally poured my heart and soul into for the last two years. Two years of hashing out my idea and getting the courage to take the leap and make it come true.

There were many, many firsts on this journey. Have you ever hired a chemist to design a formula for you? That was a first, and I had no idea where to start, let alone know who to trust. I spent two months looking and talking to people online, until I was finally put in touch with Christine, a chemist from the UK. We’ve never met, never talked on the phone, but because of her, my journey took off, and she was the brains to make my idea come to light.

In the course of over 24 months, I’ve made my dream of really starting a line of products that have the most minimal ingredients, but with the highest effectiveness. We finally were able to create the first of many products, a super conditioning conditioner that only has seven ingredients (one of them being water). Seriously, what other product do you love (manufactured one, because I know we all love coconut oil, it does wonders) that works efficiently and has this little of ingredients? It’s even clean enough to use on babies, yet works for any type of hair, and can be used directly on the scalp to help with oily scalps or dry skin. That’s right, a conditioner that’s meant to be placed directly on the scalp!

It’s been quite a long, fun, exciting two years, and I’m finally happy and so excited to announce the beginning of a new project.

For anyone wondering, the new conditioner is: gluten free, paraben free, soy free, phthalate free, vegan, and silicone/dimethicone free, and is pH balanced for hair. Yes, it’s all the frees, but do you know what the good thing is about that? A soft, healthy, clean, hair and scalp that isn’t irritated or weighed down with the fluffiness that can found in many products.

I am about to release my samples in the next month, if you would be interested in trying my new line, please let me know and I would love to send you a sample. Please DM me or comment below!!

Full sized and travel size will be available soon for purchase as well at Urban Betty! I’ll keep you tuned!!