Your On-the-Go Hair Savior: Introducing Our New Dry Shampoo Test Formula
Following a round of a small-batch test formula this past spring, we listened to what tweaks needed to be made to curate our first stand-alone Dry Shampoo we are excited to add to our lineup. Known previously as a Texture Powder/Dry Shampoo, we decided to split the two into separate products to give the most function and benefits out of each.
There's nothing quite like the feeling of freshly washed hair. But let's face it, life gets busy, and sometimes we simply don't have the time for a full-blown haircare routine. For those moments, our new Dry Shampoo is here to breathe life back into your locks.
Whether you're dashing from one meeting to the next, squeezing in a post-work gym session, or simply enjoying the convenience of fewer washes, this Dry Shampoo is a game-changer. And guess what? This is our very first standalone Dry Shampoo Test Formula. Tailored to rejuvenate, shield, and boost volume in your hair, it manages to do all this magic discreetly, without leaving a hint behind.
What Sets It Apart?
- Hold: Our formula offers a gentle yet effective light hold, ensuring your hair feels free and light, all while soaking up unwanted oils.
- Finish: Boasting a matte finish, you'll get that naturally clean look—almost like you never added anything.
- Scent: Dive into an aromatic experience with our Labdanum + Lime fragrance. It's not just refreshing; it's revitalizing!
- Size: Packed in a substantial 4oz bottle, it's designed to be there for you, especially in those hair emergencies. We've heard your cries of those unfortunate glass breakage with our former amber bottles and are shifting our packaging (slowly but surely!) to come in the more recyclable aluminum bottles featured with our Texture Powder and Dry Shampoo!
A Closer Look at the Key Ingredients:
- Kaolin Clay: Not just for adding volume and lift, this ingredient ensures your hair doesn't dry or break. Plus, its powerful cleansing and detoxifying properties balance moisture, leaving your hair and scalp feeling refreshed.
- Bentonite Clay: Making its debut in our Texture Powder, Bentonite Clay provides a gritty texture, extending the life of your hair's freshness by absorbing excess moisture in a unique way.
- Rice Starch: Another feature from our Texture Powder, Rice Starch works double-time as a thickener, adding grip while simultaneously absorbing excess moisture.
Pro Tips & Tricks:
When it comes to application, a little goes a long way. Begin by dusting a nickel-sized amount of powder into your hands, then apply it starting at the crown and working your way through from the roots to the tips. For those who prefer a direct approach, you can apply the product straight onto your hair, but be mindful of the quantity to ensure even distribution.
Following a round of a small-batch test formula this past spring, we listened to what tweaks needed to be made to curate one of the best stand-alone Texture Powders we've ever carried. Known previously as a Texture Powder/Dry Shampoo, we decided to split the two into separate products to give the most function and benefits out of each.
Looking for a breath of fresh hair to reinvigorate day-old (or 2) hair? Check out our first stand-alone Dry Shampoo here!
Function and Finish
Our newest Texture Powder formulation not only adds the desired texture, grip, and grit you've come to know and love. The newest formula ensures your hairstyle flows and moves whether you're trying to achieve a beachy tousled look or just add some oomph to your daily style. Using only a sparing amount of powder gives nearly all day hold and volume without an unappealing "film" or residue left behind.
For some quick tips on styling, we sat down with Alex, fellow friend and barber at Fellow Barber based in Manhattan, New York. Learn how they recommend how to disperse and style over on our YouTube channel here.
Scent-sational Update
We took the beloved Labdanum scent and gave it a zesty twist! Labdanum and Lime: a vibrant scent profile that packs a punch with brighter, more refreshing citrus notes leaving your smelling as good as it looks.
Kaolin Clay: The foundation of our previous Texture Powder, Kaolin Clay is known for imparting a lightweight matte finish to the hair while enhancing texture. Though still a crucial ingredient, we've reduced its concentration to accommodate other power players.
Bentonite Clay: A new addition to our formula, Bentonite Clay adds a distinct gritty texture. Its unique moisture-absorbing properties ensure that the product lasts longer, keeping your hair game strong all day.
Rice Starch: Making its debut in our Texture Powder, Rice Starch acts as a thickener. It not only provides grip but also efficiently absorbs moisture, allowing for swift and effortless styling.
Mix 'n Match with Ease
Wondering if the Texture Powder plays well with others? The answer is a resounding yes! Whether you're aiming to boost volume, enhance grip, add texture, or simply desire a matte touch, this product is versatile enough to complement any other in your grooming arsenal. Pair it up whenever you feel your hair needs that extra bounce or lively touch.
The strongest holding hair product we have ever - or maybe will ever - create. Our Dry Wax can be used alone for natural, textured, and well-defined hold or with other products like our Texture Powder to give them added strength. Dry Wax can be shaped and reshaped into any style ranging from short textured crops, to classic pomps. Start with dusting Texture Powder at the crown of dry hair, using a comb or fingers to dispurse throughout the rest of your roots. Finish styling with dime sized amount of Dry Wax on the ends, shaping into desired look for neutral/matte finish and all day texture and hold.
]]>As we stand on the brink of our 9th year of all-natural sensibility, we're filled with gratitude and an unwavering passion. Follow along on our journey through our past 9 years.
Clayton, our driven founder. With a phone in hand in their bedroom, they curated the foundation of what was more than just a brand - it was a vision for a sensible choice in the haircare community.
Our story began as a tiny seed - a dream to create products that embodied the best of nature and science. And like any new sapling, the early years were filled with learning, adapting, and building resilience. Our focus wasn’t merely on selling products; it was about fostering a relationship with our customers, understanding their needs, and continuously striving to deliver better.
As seasons changed, so did O'Douds. With every challenge faced, we grew stronger, branching out into new avenues, expanding our product range, and incorporating feedback into our formulations. We owe our growth not just to our unyielding dedication, but also to our community of loyal customers who believed in our vision and supported us through each phase.
2014. A landmark year. What you see is more than just a large shipment. It's proof that dreams, when pursued with tenacity, do come true. Partnerships and collaborations to spread all-natural goodness.
The Big Apple! 🍎 Our brief, bustling chapter in New York, where our brand was embraced with open arms. A city of boundless energy, dynamism, and countless aspirations - provided an invaluable chapter in our story. It was in the beating heart of this metropolis that O'Douds flourished, expanded its community, and truly recognized its potential.
Blossoms of Today:
Coming full circle, we returned to Houston, the very soil where O'Doud's sprouted its first roots, where our very first jar of pomade was conceptualized. This city not only reminds us of our humble beginnings, but it also strengthened our commitment to growth, innovation, and sustainable choices.
Today, standing at the threshold of a decade, O'Douds is not just a brand; it's a community, a philosophy. It’s an ode to sustainable choices, ethical sourcing, and a genuine commitment to our patrons. We have incorporated fun, color, and vibrancy, all while ensuring we remain rooted in our foundational ethos.
Looking Towards the Horizon:
As we embrace October and our 9th birthday, we not only reflect upon our journey but also gaze at the horizon, with dreams and aspirations for the future. Our commitment to sustainable, ethical, and high-quality products remains unwavering. But we're also excited about the future avenues of growth, of reaching out to more people, and of furthering our mission to bring a splash of nature's best to daily grooming routines.
An Ode to Our Community:
At the heart of our success lies our vibrant community. Our wholesale customers, our single-chair affiliates, barbershops, and every individual who ever chose O'Douds – you are our pillars. This birthday, we don’t just celebrate our growth, but the collective journey. The shared stories, the feedback, the critiques, and the love - they've been instrumental in shaping us.
October may be a month of change, a time when leaves fall, and nature prepares for another cycle of growth. For O'Douds, it’s a reminder of our journey, of our roots, and the blossoms we aspire to be. As we step into another year, our spirit remains unchanged – to grow, to evolve, and to always, always remain grounded.
Here's to many more Octobers, to growth, to memories, and to a future filled with blossoms!
Cheers to 9 years and many more to come! 🍁🌱🎉
]]>Transition is the music of the world — a melody of evolution, a symphony of change. Just as trees welcome autumn with a cascade of oranges, yellows, and reds, we too embrace change, allowing it to paint us in hues of experience and growth.
Fall's arrival at O’Douds signifies not just a change in the weather, but a deeper, more profound change in spirit and direction. What does this transformation look like for us? It's the warming laughter that fills our office as we share a joke, the soft hum of the machines churning out our next big product, or the rustle of packing paper as we prepare to send a piece of our passion right to your doorstep. It's the sigh of satisfaction after a long brainstorming session and the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice during a team coffee break.
2022 had its fair share of lessons, much like a tree shedding its leaves to make room for the new. Economic shifts, operational hurdles, and echoes from yesteryears sometimes clouded our skies. But just as leaves find their way to the ground, we found our path, rooted in a mission of delivering organic, ethical, and wholesome products. Our resilience was fortified with jovial team lunches, innovative brainstorming sessions under the golden Houston sun, and a commitment to light-heartedness, reminding us that dedication to a sustainable planet can coexist with pure, undiluted joy.
As the crisp air beckons and sweaters find their way out of closets, it’s a reminder that it's okay to change, to adapt, and to grow. As we embrace the new season, we're not just inspired by the earthy tones of Fall but by the entire spectrum of nature's palette. After all, nature isn't just muted browns and greens; it’s a vibrant canvas of pinks, blues, yellows, and more. This Fall, we're bringing more pops of color, fun, and personality to O’Douds. A reflection of the world around us and, more importantly, a reflection of who we are.
So, wrap your hands around a warm mug, watch as the leaves dance to the ground, and know that O’Douds is right there with you, evolving, growing, and changing. Your unwavering support and trust are the wind beneath our wings, allowing us to soar to new heights.
Here’s to the comforting embrace of Fall, the promise of change, and the journey ahead. Warm wishes from all of us at O’Douds. 🍁🍂
]]>We believe in creating a world where every young person feels safe, affirmed, and empowered to thrive. By shopping our Summer Collection, you can directly contribute to their incredible mission.
We have a simple way to help make a difference:
1. Browse our Summer Collection filled with heat protecting, water resistant summer essentials.
2. Fill your cart with your favorite items, knowing that a portion of your purchase will be donated to Hatch Youth.
3. Complete your purchase, and voila! You've played a part in empowering LGBTQIA+ youth.
Don't forget to visit Hatch Youth's many engaging, informative, and collaborative programs, education, and other resources here.
I grew up in a religious community that required strict adherence to rules, appearances, and lifestyles. My role as a young boy was to learn how to grow into a man, which meant a whole lot more than just being a kind and good person. A man dressed a certain way, talked a certain way, walked a certain way, and ultimately had a rigid set of rules ranging from appearances to lifestyle goals and relationship dynamics. Whether it was my size, shape, voice, or interests, there were countless areas where I needed to change myself to be a man. I found out in adulthood that I didn’t need to follow those rules, walk that way, or even use that label.
You probably know where this is going now… I’m not a man. I learned as an adult I never was if I didn’t want to be. No one needs to embrace a label that makes them feel like someone other than themselves. It took me a long time to see all of my value instead of just seeing all of the places where I lacked. For me, as long as I considered myself a man, I felt like an imposter.
To be clear: There’s nothing wrong with being a man, it just wasn’t me, it isn’t me, and I got tired of trying to be something I wasn’t. I know some incredible men. If you’re one of them: hell yeah to you, brother. Keep it up.
Coming out as non-binary has been a slow process for me. As I mentioned, I’m not a loud person, and I didn’t want people’s attention on me for anything at all, especially for something so personal. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not much of anyone’s business who I am.
As I’ve learned to love myself for all of the things that I spent so, so long trying to hide, I’ve found that I actually don’t mind sharing publicly again. So far I might even be enjoying it?! As with everything, it will be a process, but you can expect to see my face and hear my voice more around here.
What does non-binary mean? It means I don’t identify as a man or a woman, basically just that I don’t want to be labeled like that. Just swap in either “they” or “them” wherever you’d say “he/him” or “she/her” and you’ll be good to go. It may feel weird, but you do it all the time. Here’s my go to example: Someone leaves their keys in a seat next to you at the movies. You pick up the keys up and walk to an employee to say “Hi, someone left their keys in their seat. I’m not sure where they went, though”. Boom, singular they/their usage simply because you didn’t see the person, so you didn’t know what to gender them.
LGBTQIA+ folks exist whether people want us to or not. Pride month, and pride in general, is our way to remember that we aren’t alone, to fight back for equal rights, and to remind ourselves that no matter what happens, you should always be proud of the you that you know you are.
As a brand, we’ve always wanted to give people products that work well so that they can see themselves in a way that brings them joy. That’s why I started the company: because I needed a hair product that actually worked and was made from good ingredients. Now that we’ve grown as a company, our vision has stayed the same but also expanded so much further. Our mission is to give people the hair and beauty products they need to look and feel good without damaging the earth or their health to get there. Not only do we think those two things can be put together, but they belong together. Everyone deserves to feel like their best selves. Our goal is to give you, no matter who you are or how you identify, hair products to get there.
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We are writing to inform you about an important decision regarding our product line. After careful consideration, we have made the difficult choice to discontinue SensibleCBD. As you may be aware, the CBD industry has faced various challenges due to outdated stigmas and regulations surrounding the recreational uses of hemp. We didn't want to give any more money to the system than we had to. So, we started a website that allows us to sell CBD goods in the United States but keeps the people behind all of the regulations from digging their hands deeper into our pockets. After all, we are still a small business.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive benefits associated with CBD, there are still numerous restrictions and additional checks and balances imposed on sourcing, creating, marketing, and shipping CBD-infused products, especially in the online space. At SensibleCBD, we have always strived to provide you with high-quality CBD products that meet rigorous standards of excellence.
However, navigating the complex regulatory landscape and maintaining compliance has become increasingly challenging and has significantly impacted our ability to deliver the seamless experience our customers deserve. While it saddens us to discontinue SensibleCBD, we remain committed to your well-being and are actively exploring new avenues to continue providing you with wellness products that align with your needs. We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition. If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance with your existing orders, our customer support team is here to help. Please reach out to us at info@odouds.us and we will be glad to assist you. We genuinely value your loyalty and trust in SensibleCBD, and we thank you for being a part of our journey. We will keep you updated on any future developments, and we look forward to serving you with innovative wellness solutions in the near future.
Warm regards,
Clayton Douds
CEO I Founder I Lead Alchemist
Sensible Cosmetics I O'douds
]]>It's National Gardening Day (4/14) and us plant-lovers here at O'douds wanted to share just how easy it is to grow a green-thumb!Today is all about encouraging gardeners and would-be gardeners to pick up a shovel, plant some seeds, and kick off a beautiful year of homegrown bounty!
Over here at HQ we are planning out our new gardening space in around the exterior of our facility (can't wait to show you!)
A. Good for the Body
The great thing about gardening is that any person of all ages can do it! Depending on what you're growing, there may be some bending, lungeing, stretching and pulling going on while you tend to your plants. Not only are you getting your heart rate going but you are also soaking up some much needed Vitamin D
B. Good for the soul
There are many theories that speak to the "green effect" and its mood-boosting abilities. Psychological reactions have been linked to the color green since the early times of humans. Green signified an area that could provide food, water, and shelter. As time has gone on, it has shifted to a more relaxing, refreshing, and even motivating effect. Adding a pop of green to a room or office can instantly give new life to your space. The act of nurturing, watching the growth, and witnessing the thriving life you helped create is a good enough reason for us to have them all over our office!
C. Building a Community
Not only are you creating a new environment for little critters seeking a new home, food, or pollinating ground, you also can connect with others in the online or local gardening community. Foster and grow connections while learning tips, tricks and resources.
For those who are just getting into the green goodness of gardening but don't no where to start- fear not!
The main question to ask is: What am I wanting to grow?
This is always a good starter question, with the answer providing your next steps! Once you know what you would like to grow, you can learn about what it takes and what resources are necessary to not only grow and nurture but to truly thrive.
🪴Find the right book, guide or resource for your needs online or at your local bookstore
🪴Look for a community garden in your area or join a garden club. There isn’t one near? Start one!
🪴Organize a seed and perennial plant swap with neighbors and friends.
🪴Visit your local nursery or garden center—you will be amazed and excited by all the beautiful options
Radishes
Lettuce
Potatoes
Herbs
Zinnias
Pansies
Bachelor Buttons
Marigolds
]]>*Discount ends 4/14/23 @11:59 PM (CDT). Discount can combine with other product and shipping discounts. Valid with available stock.
We sat down with one of our Stockist member, 'Steph Slays' for International Women's Month and talked products, social media, and trends in the haircare community. During this month, we want to highlight the amazing women that are making waves in the sustainable beauty and hairstyling industry - like Steph!
Hey Steph! First things first- can you tell the O’douds fam who you are, what you do?
Hello there! I’m a hairdresser in Houston Texas and I’m creepin up on a decade in the industry. I’ve worked with some very talented people in different salon environments and I currently rent a private suite under the name “Steph Slays.”
From hair styling, scalp detoxes and color transformations- is there anything you can’t do? But let's get real- what is your favorite service to do at the moment and why
Haircutting is absolutely my first love. Nothing beats having a solid shape and the right amount of texture so even when you can’t see yourself there’s this confidence that comes with feeling that your haircut is laying right.
Has there ever been a client’s request that was a “first” for you?
Mixing creativity with communication keeps me on my toes and honestly see an endless supply of ‘firsts’ ahead of me.
During your time in the haircare industry, have you seen any shifts or trends in the community?
I’ve always been a creative person but prior to cosmetology school I had no experience. I struggled so much with things that are now muscle memory and I think anyone who is interested in being a stylist or barber needs have a drive to learn indefinitely. Trends and techniques are constantly changing so if you get comfortable with being uncomfortable you will be able to change, grow, adapt. It’s interesting because we don’t have to offer every service there is to be successful. I do think it’s important to allow yourself to be uncomfortable for a little while because you could excel and enjoy something unexpected. I dont know how the next ten years will change hair dressing but i know that continued learning will always be essential.
We know you are busy setting up shop in a new space in between your already packed schedule. What are some things you do to destress?
(Pictured with her Mother, Kathi Castecka)
My family is in the greater Houston area and I love spending time with them, not to pick favorites, but especially my nieces. Seeing them process the world keeps me very present. Sometimes you just need to be silly and get messy like a kid.
Nowadays a days a lot of your potential customers find you online rather than just word of mouth. Can you tell us more about how you balance work and your social media content?
Instagram is a great tool to utilize so whether you want to create content or not I think it’s important to have some online presence. I keep it very simple and post my work and people can also get an insight to my personality through my posts and stories. It’s an intimate experience and now we have a direct connection between stylist and client!
You’ve actually been a customer of ours for quite a while, what are some of your go-to styling O’douds products for you and for your customers?
The condition cream is a fantastic leave in conditioner that I use on almost everyone. After cleansing I apply it to damp hair and use it as a cutting lotion so the hair stays hydrated as I comb through while being evenly distributed. It’s lightweight and matte so there’s no concern of finishing too slick or shiny. It’s also great for controlling frizz with hydration when air drying or blow drying. Texture Spray is another favorite, it walks the fine line of user friendly and high performance. A great way to build texture and grit but I’ve never felt it overpower even porous bleached hair. I’ve replaced most of my routine with Odouds but these two products are pretty universal for most hair textures, densities and lengths.
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It’s that time again! It’s been almost four years since we last adjusted the price of our products. But given the rising cost associated with providing the highest quality and most ethically sourced products we can offer you, increasing prices becomes an inevitable necessity.We get it. Suddenly having to pay more for a product you’ve chosen as a mainstay in your self-care routine isn’t cool. Inflation sucks, and it affects everyone—especially small and independently owned and operated brands like O’Douds. Despite a significant increase in our cost of goods, we have maintained generous wages and full benefits for all of our employees, sustained tight-profit-margin partnerships with our global distribution partners, and continued to ONLY use the highest-quality natural ingredients on the market.The bottom line is that we have to run a profitable business, which is damn near impossible if we don’t adjust the price of products. Don’t worry. We aren’t getting greedy or filthy rich with this move. We are simply making sure we keep the bills paid so we can continue giving you the best products possible. We are always trying to find ways to leave a smaller ecological footprint, which is precisely why we will also be removing boxes on our products. We know they look rad and provide ever-so-slight protection to our recycled glass containers. However, they are an extra cost and have an additional impact on the environment.We’re doing what we can to keep our products within a reasonable range from their current cost. For anyone that might disagree with that previous sentence, we would be happy for you to show us a comparable brand that offers a better price per ounce of product. And by comparable, we mean they can’t be a greenwashing or unethical poser brand that uses ingredients you can’t pronounce or makes their products in a place you have no idea about. Seriously, give it a try!We are grateful to all of our customers. We know we couldn’t do what we do without your love and loyalty. We will always be transparent and tell you why we make any decisions that impact you. We are all about the planet and the people who dwell on it. That will never change.
Damn the man,Joseph
CEO and Brand Evangelist
Standard Pomade is a high shine styling pomade used for classic styles such as slick backs and pompadours. Expect a strong, pliable, and slick hold that keeps your hair in place all day and can be easily restyled. Our Styling Treatment offers medium hold styling cream with a neutral shine. For manageable, relaxed, textured, and natural hair styles. Just a dab will give you enough control to keep your hair in place and out of your face, all while deeply conditioning your hair and scalp. Click here for a quick walkthrough of styling together.
Our Matte Paste offers a strong hold, matte finish styling clay for maximum volume and texture. Our best selling hair product for a reason, this paste adds life and lift to any hair type. For styles ranging from short and choppy, to loose and textured, and even large and voluminous. Our Texture Powder was designed to reduce shine and work with your scalp's natural oils to revitalize hair with workable texture & volume. It can be used as a stand-alone styling product or as a "dry shampoo" to revitalize hair on days you don't shampoo. Adds volume to thin or thinning hair, helping it appear more full.
Our Conditioning Cream gives a light-hold, medium-shine cream for adding moisture and controlling frizz on long or coarse hair types. Deeply conditions the hair and scalp throughout the day while providing loose control and a medium non-greasy shine. Acts as a heat protectant and pre-styler before blowdrying.
*This sale duration timeframe is final. Discount does not apply to sample sizes or subscription orders. Sale applies to these full size items only: Traditional Pomade (all variants), Standard Pomade, Conditioning Cream, Matte Paste, Multi-Purpose Pomade, Dry Wax, Styling Treatment, Hair Oil, Texture Powder, Texture Spray, Pumpkin Seed Oil Shampoo 12 oz, Activated Charcoal Shampoo 12 oz, Conditioner 12 oz
For any questions email: info@odouds.us
This couldn’t be more true for us at O’Douds. In the office, warehouse, and in the lab, we’re collectively feeling novel. What does that look like though? It looks like a cheeky grin as our lab team pushes through a large batch of Styling Treatment in one day. The hustle and bustle of our warehouse team packing 500 orders in a week. A coffee run before a passionate marketing meeting on new packaging (spoiler alert!). And a heartfelt slack emoji when a team member expresses that they need to take the day off for their mental health. All novel efforts to create and deliver a beautifully novel product.
Challenges were a definite part of 2022. Inflation, supply chain issues, and the long shadow of previous years attempted to define our workspace and our creative output. Things didn’t seem so “novel.” Yet, our spirit to create sensible and truly natural products was never broken. We kept it alive through witty banter, office parties full of the best local Houston grub, and playful pranks. We learned a valuable lesson through all of this: you can make the effort to do no harm to the planet and have loads of fun at the same time. They aren't mutually exclusive efforts.
As the New Year arrives, we hope your intentions and goals begin to align and that you find your own meaning of the word, “novel.” Our intention is to seek novelty in new products, new packaging, and new aesthetics. No matter the challenge. No matter the path. Like the years prior, 2023 will be a year of change for our company. What kind of changes can you expect as a customer? New packaging efforts, a streamlined but more consistent product offering, and a gentle yet much desired refresh of our brand. All of which we are looking forward to, each and everyday.
Thank you for hanging with us all these years and supporting cruelty free, organic, and sensible grooming. Your support and ongoing patronage means everything to our small but nimble team. Happy New Year from the folks at O’Douds.
Our creative team will be exploring the theme of novelty all throughout the Spring of 2023. Take in the feeling of novelty with our Spring Moodboard and updated Lab Radio as we usher in the New Year.
]]>We are pleased to bring you our Spring Moodboard as well as our updated Lab Radio. Zone out to handpicked tunes from the team and check out what we've been inspired by as we settle into the New Year.
This last batch was made with kindness and the same plant made materials you know and love.
We hope you enjoy this last premium batch of shave line products because once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.
Wanting some Sweet Shavings? We're running bundled deals on The Shave Collection until we run out completely.
Thank you for the support and the love.
]]>Hi Erin! Can You Tell Folks On The Internet Who You Are And What You Do?
Hi internet! I’m Erin, I am a low-toxic hairdresser and razor specialist. I consider myself the ideal hairdresser for the low maintenance but highly sensitive human. I am also a room mom, an event planner, and wife!
A Lot Of What You Do Takes Form Outside Of Styling. Can You Tell Us A Little Bit About Plant Market Sunday & Friends With Hou And What Your Role Is In Those Organizations?
Wow! Thanks for asking! These have been my passion projects since the shutdown took us away from everyone. Like many people in 2020, I fell in love with plants. I was also super lonely but creating amazing virtual relationships with many different individuals selling plants, vintage clothing, dried flowers, dried herbs you name it! I decided to put all my friends together in a parking lot and host some outdoor shopping. This felt so much safer than being in doors at the time, and was also supporting the people who weren't getting any support or help from the government.
It was such a hard few years, but one thing this community knows is resilience. After we threw the first one people kept asking for more! So now PMS is still a thing two years later!! Friends With Hou is a micro version of PMS. FWH is highly curated, and a little more alternative and is designed to bring the market to the small business. With everything I do I always try to leave somewhere better than when I got there. My intention for both these markets is always to support and lift up the community!
What’s An Ideal Weekend In Houston Look Like? Any Tips For A Tourist?
Oh man. I LOVE this city. I also have two young kids, so that may change my answer. But I would start with breakfast at my favorite kosher deli, New York Bagels and Deli. Then I would head over to the ZOO! Of course I'm getting coffee on the way. I'm a Black Hole fan. If you’re my family we stay at the zoo all morning! We usually snack at the zoo then skip lunch. After a short nap we will head over to Tiny Champions for pizza and a Pet Nat and cant forget the ice cream!!
How Has The Community In Houston Taken To Your Business?
The community here in Houston is awesome! I think when you approach anything you do with love and compassion this city will repay you with the same. Truly it's a gem.
What And Who Inspires Your Work? And How Do You Look For Inspiration?
My work is largely inspired by the lovely hairdressers in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Pony Education and Jayne Edo are just a few off the top of my head. I also love the Texas hair community! I love connecting with hairdressers all over for my inspiration.
Your Specialty Is Razor Cuts And Lived In Color. What Led You To Pursuing This Specialty?
The short answer… I'm lazy! I wanted to figure out a faster way to achieve my desired end results. There is a technical way of cutting and coloring hair and I spent 10 years living by these rules. They were not serving me so I put all of my energy into learning a technique I could love as well as my clients! Now 18 years into doing hair and i've never been happier!
What’s Your Favorite O’Douds Product At the Moment?
My faves are the sea salt texture spray and ALL of the deodorants! I'm more than obsessed.
What Trends Are You Excited About In The Hair Care Industry?
Im stoked on genderless hair and hourly pricing. I’m stoked about equality when it comes to race and diversity in our salons. I’m stoked about the awareness of mental illness in this industry and I'm here for stylists setting boundaries!
That might not be the answer you were looking for. Don't get me wrong I’m the shag and mullet queen! But, I've been around long enough for every trend to have circled back around already.
What Would You Like To See More Of In The Hair Care Industry?
I genuinely feel every human would benefit by taking gender out of hair. My husband is a barber, classically barbers are paid less. But why? I can’t for the life of me figure out why we should be charging by gender when it's our TIME that is most valuable.
ALSO: NO SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE!!!!
Lastly, If You Could Only Smell One Thing The Rest Of Your Life, What Would It Be?
Ok. This one was actually really hard for me. If I HAD to choose a scent it would probably be eucalyptus. But to be honest I could also go without scents completely and be just fine!
Keep up with Erin and enjoy all things plants, razor cuts, and Houston!
]]>Can You Tell Folks On The Internet Who You Are And What You Do?
Hey, I’m ceej! I’m a non-binary musician and singer songwriter based out of Houston, TX. I'm a regular working person with a partner and two dogs. I love to spend time with my friends and to create art whenever life allows.
You’ve Been Making Music In Houston For Well Over A Decade. Both In Your Band Rome Hero Foxes And In Your Latest Project, Undr Wrps. You’ve Put Out Several Albums And Have Toured Those Albums Nationwide. What Keeps You Coming Back To Houston? What Makes It Home For You?
To be honest, my residency in Houston has been an environment I had to adapt to. I’ve struggled to feel a part of it, but I've learned to appreciate the impact it’s had on my upbringing. I moved to Texas from Southern California when I was about 12 years old. My dad was battling cancer and we moved to Houston so he could be closer to his family. After he passed, my family just sort of stayed here. My older brother was the only one to leave. With the band and touring being a significant part of my teen years into my early 20’s, I worked whatever job I could get and stayed focused on the band until the pandemic. It was only after that point until now that I’ve even had the time or mental space to ask myself: do you ever feel at home?
Now that I’m 25, I’ve come to the conclusion that while Houston has been an integral part of my life and my passion, my home might be elsewhere. Maybe even outside of Texas as a whole. Houston will always have a big place in my heart for what it's been, but you caught me at a time where my heart is ready to find somewhere else to be. Sorry if that’s a mundane and long-winded answer, but I feel like being honest is important. I’m privileged just to have grown up here, I'm thankful for every person I've met, and the scene which helped shape me into who I am today.
You Once Said In An Interview That, “Forcing Yourself Is Never The Answer, Even If You Think What You’re Doing At The Time Is Good, Just Let Your Ideas Age With You.” It Seems The Music Of Undr Wrps Carries That Sentiment. Can You Speak To What This Project Means To You? What Has It Allowed You To Explore As A Musician?
That’s funny you bring that up because that is definitely a sentiment that resonates only with my former band. I actually started UNDR WRPS because I grew tired of this process of aging, as it was holding me back from creating at all.
I didn’t think my ideas were worth the strain of time and work at the moment of their creation. Letting my shelved ideas marinate for the band definitely worked in our favor, to some extent, and it still does with the newer stuff returning to the surface.
UNDR WRPS was made so that I could challenge myself to put music out, with no plan, just like when I was younger. My sole focus for this project is simply reliving the joy of putting out music whenever I want to, regardless of having a budget, release plan, studio grade equipment, or any outside resources. I am truly humbled that people are connecting with the material I’ve put out for this project. It feels rejuvenating to not sit on a bunch of dropbox links for once in my life! There was a comedown from what I experienced in my career leading into the pandemic and I realized my happiness was rooted mostly in the gain of success, which made me feel like an unhappy and ungenuine person.
I lost purpose in why I was creating and performing as an artist and this project has refreshed my values in that sense. I’m blessed with an ability to create and I'm even more blessed to have people enjoy those creations. UNDR WRPS is the reset I desperately needed and I’m happy with the new attitude and outlook it has provided me.
What And Who Inspires Your Music? And How Do You Look For Inspiration?
Interesting question! I always feel like my answer changes every time I’ve been asked. What inspires me is the ugliness of perspective and the consequences of becoming. Life has brought me so much experience and a lot of it was very brutal and felt unfair. These experiences are what I rush to unpack in my music, to add closure or purpose for so many people and stages of life that I’ve outgrown or been abandoned by. It’s the only comfort I can offer myself when I’m hurt or confused on why life moves in ways you don’t expect it to. With all this in consideration, I am blessed and cursed that inspiration will always find its way to me and as long as I’m still here and striving to grow and become, I’ll never have to look any further.
Outside Of Music, What Are Some Other Ways You Express Yourself?
I like to think that I express myself by invoking joy and love into others. This last year, I found a group of friends and I love them all so dearly. I’ve had so many come-and-go friendships and conditional relationships with people. It’s nice to feel accepted without all the excess. I also express myself every day in my identity and my personality, both which can be a lot for some, but it is (I hope!) endearing to everyone in my circles.
I love my sense of style these days, not conforming to any gender makes it really fun in a fashion sense. I don’t have to fit any mold, I can just be how I want to be seen. It took me a long time to feel comfortable enough to get there without worrying how I may be perceived by others.
Before You Came Out To The Folks In Your Life As Non-Binary, How Did You Begin The Process Of Coming Out To Yourself?
I will be honest, it was not pretty. It was a very painful and lonesome experience. Growing up, I never felt on the same page as men. The less I fit in, the more I attempted to compensate, and thus, the uglier of a person I found myself becoming.
I spent so much time in emotional turmoil from the trauma I faced in my youth that I forced myself to ignore who I truly wanted to be out of convenience and comfort. But it provided neither of those things, it just created isolation from even attempting to reflect on who I was. Eventually, I came into different circles of people who had already worked hard to discover their identity and provided me a great deal of confidence in enduring the awkward phases of figuring it out.
After I learned of what it meant to be a non-binary person, it was something i immediately related to. Once I accepted that, I had to take the time to learn what it meant to me and how to feel comfortable expressing it without acknowledging how I might be perceived. And I only just barely figured that out! This last year or two is the only time in the past 5 of becoming non-binary that I felt comfortable in my appearance and what my identity meant to me. I’m also thankful for the friends at the time who started only addressing me by they/them pronouns because that made me feel seen for who I really was. Sadly those who helped are no longer in my life but I will always be thankful for their part in my process of discovering and accepting my identity as a non-binary person.
What Does Beneficial Allyship Look Like To You? How Can Folks Outside Of The LGBTQI+ Community Step Up?
I think right now is a more important time than ever for people outside of the community to step up. With recent legislation, it’s terrifying to see so much violence and hatred thrown towards trans youth and non-binary people, specifically. Our politicians won’t say it verbatim, but I’ll call it what it is, they want a cleanse; to erase us from existence. And from the outside, it’s especially easy to look the other way or stay silent. To me, good allyship is being able to be vocal and educate the uninformed, with sincerity. If there are people around you who encourage violence and hate towards LGBTQ+ people then it’s up to you as an outsider to denounce that, no matter who it’s coming from. There can be no tolerance for any of the ignorance and hate thrown our way. You can also stay vigilant to ensure that queer folks in or outside of your circles feel respected, safe, and be protected when needed.
Do You Have Any Advice For Those Who Want To Come Out, But Are Having A Hard Time Doing So?
I guess to begin, just ask yourself how easy it is for you to look inward and listen to what’s trying to speak. If you have any intuition pulling you into acceptance of who you truly want to be, you have to be strong enough to listen and act on it. Surround yourself with supportive friends, queer people of the community, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Regardless of the strides we’ve made, we can’t always assume someone is in a safe environment to come out. If no one were around to tell you otherwise or judge you, who is it you feel you are made to be? And if the circle around you doesn’t accept that, you can always find people who will, you’re never alone. Don’t ever water yourself down to fit anybody’s version of you and be ready to remove those people from your life if they don’t support you. It can be very hard to do that, especially close friends and family, but in our growing world there are always gonna be people out there who accept you for who you are. They will find you once you’ve found yourself.
Lastly, If You Could Only Smell One Thing The Rest Of Your Life, What Would It Be?
I would say the smell of being by a grassy coast somewhere far far away. Somewhere I haven't been before but can always visit when I smell it.
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Jimmy: How has the community in Seattle taken to your ethos and business?
Andy: With open arms, I can’t count anymore how many vegans feel safe that the stuff used is vegan but also good vegan products. I can’t count how many queers love the vibe and energy in our space. Personally, (Andy) pre covid I would see lots of people, mostly queers, who before seeing me would see two different stylists for their hair. Their stylist wasn't comfortable doing tight fades, so they could only get the top cut, then go to a barber for the sides. This blew my mind. We’re the one stop shop for hair, we do it all.
Jimmy: What’s an ideal weekend in Seattle look like? Any tips for a tourist?
Andy: Well, first make sure you come in the summer months, the rain does happen but it's mostly the clouds that will put a damper on things. Food is always a good start, Seattle is also a coffee haven, so if that's your jam this is what I would suggest. Saturdays are a great day for coffee at Vivace on Capitol Hill, then take the lightrail train downtown to the pike place market if shopping and seeing the gum wall is your feel. You can even walk down to the waterfront for some other activities from the market. Another spot is Cycle Dogs, it's a great way to start your morning with breakfast, this has been a big place that my partner and I have spent all our money at. I would suggest doing this on a Sunday because the Ballard Farmers Market will be happening and you can hit both at the same time. Once we’re done with the market we like to walk into Ballard Consignment and look at all the interesting and awesome stuff they have in this store. Lunch or Dinner I’d hit up El Chupacabra for a vegan steak chimichanga and margarita, after you'll want a nap. For dinner, Life On Mars is dope, awesome food and great non and alcoholic drinks.
Jimmy: Your focus is on barbering, beards, and long and short hair styles. What’s the most important part of your hair cutting process when you get a client in the chair?
Andy: Listening to them, If you don't listen to their words and ask questions you both won't be on the same page. What an inch to you, ok this is what an inch is to me. This also helps people with any anxiety they may be bringing into the shop if they’re new. Some people have a hard time going into a new shop for the first time.
Jimmy: Sometimes technique is everything. What technique do you recommend for Texture Spray?
Andy: On damp hair, rewet the hair with the texture spray (but not dripping), starting in the back working your way forward start the drying process. I tell all my people work the hair in all directions, this will give it the best texture and lift. Once the hair is dry finish it off with a paste of your choice if needed. Some hair textures look really good with just the spray.
Jimmy: Are there any O'douds products that pair well with Texture Spray?
Andy: Matte Paste, Standard Pomade are my two.
Jimmy: Is there a type of hair you would recommend it for?
Andy: This is definitely good on short styles as long as your hair isn't prone to frizzing out, if the hair does get to frizzy from the spray a little styling treatment will help big time.
Check out the other products in our “Let’s Talk About” series below:
]]>What better way to get to know a product than talking to the founder and lead alchemist? Clayton is a wealth of knowledge for formulating, scent making, and the lab in general. Curious about Matte Paste? You're in luck. The expert is in!
Jimmy: So many product ideas get thrown around in lab meetings. What’s the wackiest product you’ve made or thought of making?
Clayton: Like, actually considered making? Color tinted styling products maybe? Like a Styling Treatment or Conditioning Cream type of product, but with hair color in it, so it slowly tints your hair red, for example. Or black for people interested in covering up their greys a bit. As a side point though, grey hair rules, don’t cover it up!
Jimmy: Technique can make a big difference when styling hair. What technique do you recommend when adding Matte Paste to a hair routine?
Clayton: Apply the product evenly and don’t overwork it in your hands. Massage the product into the hair thoroughly, starting from back to front and making sure you don’t put all of the product on a small area of your hair. Work it into your hair once it’s all the way in so that it spreads around more evenly.
Jimmy: What O’Douds products pair well with Matte Paste?
Clayton: It really depends on what you want, and what type of hair you have! If you are using this for volume alone, you could add some texture powder for extra volume without adding extra weight. This would be good for someone that has fine hair that’s easily weighed down. For the opposite, you could mix in a little pomade or conditioning cream if you have extremely thick hair to embrace the texture from the matte paste, but cut down some of the volume. Sometimes the Matte Paste can add a bit too much volume if your hair already has plenty of volume in it.
Jimmy: Is there a type of hair you would recommend it for?
Clayton: Thin, fine, and straight hair is where this product shines the brightest! However, it works for all sorts of hair types if you want to add texture and volume.
Jimmy: Matte Paste shares the same scent as Texture Powder. What do you enjoy about Labdanum and Lime as a scent combination?
Clayton: I love the sweet citrusy smoothness of this scent. It’s reminiscent of a cocktail, and almost more than any other scent, I’m tempted to give it a drink when I am making it. Warning though, this is a BAD idea, no one get any ideas.
Jimmy: Scent making is such a key step in the formulation process. As lead alchemist, how do you get inspired to create new scents?
Clayton: One big change we’ve made over the past couple of years is crafting scents specifically for certain products. I really love this change, because I already have a vision for how a product performs and who will use it, so it feels very natural to build a scent for that vision. The Matte Paste has a lot of clay in it, so it naturally has an earthy scent that can be hard to cover up, and the labdanum does a wonderful job of working with that, instead of against it. Then the Lime just brightens and lifts everything up!
Jimmy: You’re in the lab making a batch of products. What song is on repeat?
Clayton: This past few months it’s definitely been Remi Wolf’s new album Juno. Everyone in the lab knows that album pretty well now, whether they wanted to or not! Honestly though I’m actually not the primary DJ anymore in the lab, which is probably a good thing.
Check out the other products in our “Let’s Talk About” series below:
]]>Inclusivity is a value close to our hearts. And we believe that our values should promote our products. That’s why we prioritize spreading our earth made products from our country to yours. We believe that everyone should have access to cruelty free and naturally made products, no matter the distance from our lab in Houston, Texas. Our relationship with Canada is one in a long list of favorite partnerships we are proud to have in this endeavor.
We do. And we are proud of it, too. From featured stockists, like Tommy Guns, to our alternate Canadian website, where you can save big if shipping to Canada. We have the pleasure of partnering with top barbershops, retailers, and distributors all around Canada to ensure you get your products as quickly and easily as possible.
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Hey there, welcome back! The last time we chatted, we gave a bit more information about our classic Standard Pomade and how it can be used to revitalize hair and create some pretty amazing looks. Now it's time to dive into another fan-favorite, our Multi-Purpose Pomade!
Built to be restyle-able no matter what you throw at it, our Multi-Purpose Pomade is the ideal product to keep your hairstyles in pristine condition. From working out to rainy days and humidity, think of this as the multi-tool of pomades. Did we mention it's also water-resistant as well? 😉 This week, we had the opportunity to interview our very own founder and lead alchemist, Clayton Douds to get inside scoop on Multi-Purpose Pomade.
So, let's talk Multi-Purpose Pomade!
Ambere: What types of hair can you use Multi-Purpose Pomade for?
Clayton: It's best used for medium to thick hair, but can be beneficial for all sorts of unruly hair! We developed multi-purpose pomade to be water resistant for the very purpose of dealing with extra stubborn hair and environments. It holds up no matter the heat or humidity, and that's really why it shines.
Ambere: Do you pair Multi-Purpose Pomade with any other product for certain looks?
Clayton: Absolutely! Multi-Purpose goes great with just about anything BECAUSE it's one of the only water-resistant products around. It can add a bit of humidity-resistance to just about any style. In particular though, I like to pair it with other products when working with curly hair. For instance, it works great with Matte Paste on thick and/or curly hair, because it can add some weight and longevity to the style. Something folks with curly hair desperately need.
Ambere: Any tips or tricks you want to share when applying Multi-Purpose Pomade?
Clayton: Work it evenly through the hair, from the sides and the back! Most people slap product right on the top of their head first, then work it in. This is going to make your hair look greasy, and it's going to mean you don't have product on the parts that really need it! This is true of every product, but especially true with Multi-Purpose Pomade. Another tip is to use this when doing water-related activities, including working out! It won't come out completely even if you go swimming and it won't run down into your eyes while you are working out.
Ambere: What trends are you currently into?
Clayton: Well, I'm growing my hair out and I've been loving it! But in general, I've been seeing more and more scissor work and I'm so here for it. Textured crops, textured tops, textured sides, and I love any look that's crazy on top but has a clean and refined fade. Which of course leads me to mullets, which are making a big comeback, and somehow I'm loving that too! It's gotta be done right, don't do this one at home, seriously.
Ambere: What's your dream collaboration and why?
Clayton: Jonathan Van Ness. Obviously.
Ambere: What album do you have on repeat?
Clayton: SOUR. I miss being a teenager, don't @ me.
Shop all of our Multi-Purpose Pomade Bundles here!
Check out the other products in our “Let’s Talk About” series below:
]]>There are several tutorials out there, so there’s no need to clog the internet with another one, but we will share some tips and tricks we picked up along the way. We purchased all our supplies from Dharma Trading Co. and followed along with their tutorial. The gist of the process is to prepare your items with a special detergent and then soak them in a mixture of soda ash and water. Fiber reactive dye will only adhere on certain fibers, you’ll want to use natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, etc) to get the most vibrant effects.
From there, arrange your damp garments on a grate tall enough to keep them out of the puddle the ice will make, cover with ice, sprinkle on the dye powder and wait for the ice to melt and carry the dye to the material. We found that twisting the tees and then arranging in a coil created lovely effects. One of the fun surprises of this style is seeing all the colors that come from only one powder dye; for example, we used “lime squeeze” procion dye and it split into green, yellow and turquoise! For that reason, we found it best to limit the number of dye’s used on each product to 1 or 2 and we kept the colors complementary when we used more than 1.
Waiting to see the results is like waiting to unwrap a present! Once the ice is melted, it’s time to rinse till the water is clear and wash in the special detergent again. This detergent will help to keep your garments color fast and it suspends the dye particles in water, rather than mucking up your freshly dyed garments. Now sit back and admire your work.
A few other notes, be sure to wear a mask! The chemicals used in this process are not harmful to the environment, in fact many of the chemicals are used as food fertilizers or in mass production of food, but you do not want to accidentally inhale them. Gloves are important too! Soda ash and water have a chemical reaction and will get very warm, a good pair of dish gloves will protect your hands from the heat.
Shop our Summer Sorbet Apparel Collection, here.
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Many people assume that styling their hair begins with opening a jar of pomade or pulling out their comb, but it actually starts with clean hair - and how you clean your hair is important too! A shower routine that suits your hair type will give you a fresh start every time you style and over time can aid in creating the very best version of your hair.
We have two options for cleansing your hair, both start with key ingredients that gently clean the hair without stripping it dry - Activated Charcoal Shampoo and Pumpkin Seed Oil Shampoo. We snagged our Lead Alchemist from The Lab to tell us about both, read on to learn more!
Ambere: Why did you want to develop Activated Charcoal Shampoo?
Clayton: The decision to make an Activated charcoal stemmed from a desire to have shampoo that works for more people and more hair types. As we've talked to people over the years we've learned that there's no "best of both worlds" with shampoo. Some people need a shampoo to be more deeply cleansing, if you've got naturally oily skin for example. Others have naturally dry hair and skin and need a shampoo that's more mild and moisturizing. I, for example, LOVE the new activated charcoal shampoo. My scalp gets irritated if it's not cleansed thoroughly and often, and the activated charcoal is perfect for that extra cleansing and detoxifying.
Ambere: Why does O'Douds not lather as much as other Shampoos?
Clayton: Because shampoo isn't about lathering - don't believe the lies! For real though, the harsher and more powerful the cleanser, the more foam and lather you get. Your hair needs something far more gentle than your dishes. In general more lather in shampoo is a bad thing, it means you are stripping your hair of it's natural oils. You want to leave your hair clean, but with a light layer of oil, which keeps it from being broken, dry, and frizzy.
Ambere: How does the shampoo cleanse without stripping hair dry?
Clayton: Mild vegetable based cleansers with added oils and botanicals that replenish the hair as it's being cleansed. We use aloe vera, glycerin, panthenol, and pumpkin seed oil to re-nourish the hair as it's being cleansed. Activated charcoal in particular does a wonderful job of "pulling" impurities from the hair and scalp without drying it stripping it. Imagine activated charcoal as a sort of "sponge" soaking up bacteria and impurities out of your skin and hair.
Ambere: What would you pair our Shampoos with?
Clayton: Conditioning Cream! There's two products I use every day: Activated Charcoal Shampoo and Conditioning Cream.
Shop all of our Shampoo Bundles here!
]]>Hey there, welcome back! The last time we chatted, we gave a bit more information about our fan-favorite, Texture Powder and how it can be used to revitalize hair and create some pretty amazing looks. Now it's time to dive into another fan-favorite, our Standard Pomade!
Giving your hair an all-day hold, our Standard Pomade is the ideal styling product to create classic pompadours or slick backs. Completely water-soluble, it rinses out of hair easily with water. Long story short, this is THE product to create those Instagram looks you crave! This week, we had the opportunity to interview artist and insanely talented stylist, John Velasco (@vls.tx).
So, let's talk Standard Pomade!
Ambere: What made O'Douds stand out to you?
John: Full-disclosure, it being an all natural product along with Houston roots was an automatic hit for me!
Ambere: Do you pair Standard Pomade with any other product for certain looks?
John: No, not typically.
Ambere: What's your go-to technique in applying Standard Pomade?
John: A little dampness helps the product ease its way in! Comb into desired style after a towel dry, apply product, re-comb! This is for the on-the-go or "gotta-go" guy.
Ambere: What trends are you currently into?
John: Everyone is currently doing something really different with their style. But with it being summer time I'm enjoying the much shorter looks with effortless textured tops.
Ambere: What do you love about your job?
John: For me it's getting the chance to help people feel like a million bucks. There isn't many things like a good hair day to make it all worthwhile!
Shop all of our Standard Pomade Bundles here!
Check out the other products in our “Let’s Talk About” series below:
]]>Welcome back! Last week, we gave a bit more information about our cult-classic, Dry Wax and the variety of ways it can be used to create the perfect hairstyle. Now it's time to dive into another fan-favorite, our Texture Powder!
Designed to reduce shine and work with your hairs natural oils, our Texture Powder is the go-to product to add volume to "day-after" hair. It can be used as a dry shampoo to reduce the appearance of oils in hair as well as helping hair appear more full. This week, we had the opportunity to interview Short Hair Architect and bad ass stylist, Linzy Beth (@_linzybeth).
Linzy gave us an inside look into her tips and tricks for styling hair with our Texture Powder. From pairing with our other styling products to create Instagram Worthy looks to adding just the right amount, giving your hair the definition it needs-this stylist has got it all for you! Interested in learning more? Take a look below!
So, let's talk Texture Powder!
Ambere: What type of client do you usually recommend Texture Powder for?
Linzy: I typically recommend Texture Powder to two types of clients; the first is someone with fine hair looking to build volume, and add definition. Someone who wants to wear product but maybe runs into the problem often of things being too heavy or greasy. Second is anyone with short hair looking for loads of touchable texture! It’s fantastic on its own or as a building block.
Ambere: Do you pair Texture Powder with any other product for certain looks?
Linzy: I do! I love to pair it with the Sea Salt Texture Spray for a little more hold, while still having that undone feel. My other favorite combo is to add a little Dry Wax on top, especially for those clients looking for that Instagram worthy crop loaded with definition. It locks in that texture for wherever the day takes you and still washes out like a dream.
Ambere: What made O'Douds stand out to you?
Linzy: My shop in San Diego was searching for a new product line to carry, and O'Douds stood out to us so much. First and foremost, the attitude! I love that it’s inclusive and thoughtful, it was a product that considered who used it, who made it, and every step in between. The scents are all different but cohesive and so natural, it’s a really comfortable product to wear. Not to mention the packaging is flawless!
Ambere: What's your dream collaboration and why?
Linzy: Ooo I have never thought about this! I would probably say with @by.jelle they are a barbershop in the Netherlands and their style is just flawless!
Ambere: What trends are you currently into?
Linzy: I am loving all this long hair the pandemic has set free! So many fun 90's inspired cuts, with clients who have never explored their length or texture. I also feel like the Caesar inspired crop is finally making its way to Texas and it’s been a lot of fun.
Ambere: What do you love about your job?
Linzy: Whew, how much time do you have?? Honestly everything. I love the interaction, the relationships you build, the journeys you go on. And I love the creative freedom, both with what I can create but also how I can present myself. Also who doesn’t love making people feel their best!? It’s so satisfying.
Shop all of our Texture Powder Bundles here!
Check out the other products in our “Let’s Talk about” series below:
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Hey there! Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about our Conditioning Cream as much as we loved sharing some of the inside goods with you. Now it's time to dive into another cult-classic, our Dry Wax!
Our Dry Wax is the strongest holding hair product we have ever created! It's perfect to give your hair that added strength along with a neutral finish. This week, we had the opportunity to interview two of our very own local stylists, Adam Gould, Barber and Owner of Inbound Barber (@inboundbarber) and Julio Rodriguez, Barber and Owner of Tradesmen Barber (@tradesmenbarber).
Each barber gave their unique take on our one of a kind product from tips and tricks to their go-to methods in applying our Dry Wax. We will cover a range of our most frequently asked questions. If we miss one, feel free to drop your question in the comment section below!
So, let's talk Dry Wax!
Ambere: What made O'Douds stand out to you?
Adam: I dig everything about it! I've been a supporter from the beginning. I love all the unique scents, the diversity of the line, and the collaboration between 1924 and O'Douds. Perfect match. When I had a chance to carry them in my own shop, I jumped at it.
Ambere: What type of client do you usually recommend Dry Wax for?
Adam: I use Dry Wax on anything from a short crop with tons of texture to a super clean traditional pompadour. It's extremely versatile.
Ambere: Do you prefer using the Dry Wax on wet or dry hair?
Adam: I typically put it in dry. For me, it's easier to get the product in the way I want without putting too much in at one time. I do my best to use the product with purpose.
Ambere: What's your inspiration?
Adam: My inspiration comes from all over the place. Movies, music, fellow barbers and stylists. I feel the more places you pull from the less chance of becoming stagnant.
Ambere: What trends are your currently into?
Adam: The classics never die, and I love doing the traditional clean cuts, but the 90's is where my heart is at. I've been doing a lot of 90's heart throb inspired cuts.
Ambere: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Adam: Oh that's a hard question! I've always wanted to live more of a nomadic life style. Drift from place to place. Some days I want to be in solitude in the mountains, and the next I want to be at the beach or floating down the river.
Ambere: What do you love about your job?
Adam: I love making people feel good about themselves. If a client says, "I didn't know my hair could look like this", I know I've done my best. They're happy. I'm happy. When a client can't stop checking themselves out in the mirror and walks out with their head held high that makes me feel good. To top it all off I have the chance to just be me and express myself without any restrictions. Couldn't ask for more in such a rad job.
Ambere: Do you prefer to use Dry Wax on wet or dry hair?
Julio: It depends on the final look for artists. For example, when you take paint and you add water to it-it doesn't necessarily make it weaker but it just changes the expression. For Dry Wax, if we're using it with a little bit of moisture you're still going to get a look, you're still going to get a good finish product. If you go dry, you'll get a different look. It honestly depends on the client which is why we're BIG on consultations and making sure we get the client what they want.
Ambere: What made O'Douds stand out to you?
Julio: I knew about it just from being Houston and watching it grow as a company. A lot of my friends that are also in hair would talk about the products more and more, and how it made its way to New York and back to Houston. As I got to my brick and mortar, I had to make a choice as far a curating a product line and what I wanted in the store and what I wanted to give my clients that was specific to our brand as well which is big on supporting local business, but not just supporting local businesses but supporting those that are doing it right and actually cares and is passionate about what their doing, O'Douds encapsulates that as a whole. Once we started trying products on our clients hair, they loved it instantly so it was a no brainer for us.
Ambere: What's your go-to technique when applying Dry Wax?
Julio: My go-to is making sure to grab a good amount, like a dime-sized worth and making sure to spread throughout your hands evenly so that it will go through specific parts of the hair. This way I can targeting the look I'm going for, whether shaping a pompadour or adding a lot texture to create a spikey finish.
Ambere: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Julio: My inspiration has to be films, movies influence the masses so much because we see art imitating life. Whether you're watching a gangster film or an old-school throwback you can always spot all these different styles. You ask yourself 'How did they create that style?' or 'How did they create that shape?', so I usually look to that for inspiration. Mainly for us, my moms favorite movie growing up is The Godfather so in our house growing up we watched a lot of gangster films. It was easy to relate to them because we're an immigrant family, we're first generation Mexicans here so we got to see that story on the screen, they were just people trying to hustle and provide a better life for themselves and that just really connected to me.
Ambere: Other than films, what trends are you currently into right now?
Julio: Right now, I'm just trying to partner with a lot of local artists and get inspired by the other people that exists in Houston and that are doing creative things. When I see someone doing something that I haven't seen before, I have to ask 'Where do you get your inspiration from?' or 'What's creating this aesthetic?' and usually it's something influenced from their childhood or their parents.
Ambere: Since we've been trapped inside for a bit due to the quarantine, if you could travel to anywhere in the world where would that be?
Julio: Mexico City. I went to Mexico City about 10 years ago and that whole place is a museum. The entire city is so aesthetically pleasing, every little detail from their stop signs to their billboards and buildings is so great in detail.
Ambere: What do you love about your job? I know that you create some amazing styles and get to work with great artists but what is your favorite part about your job?
Julio: My favorite part about my job is that I get to be creative everyday. Whether it's styling someones hair, working on the interior design of the shop, branding, marketing, social media-just treating everything from an artists perspective. So it's really amazing to get to be creative everyday and also earn a living while I'm doing it.
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We are happy to announce that the team at O’Douds has recently formed a parent company that now houses O’Douds, The Bearded Bastard, Sensible CBD, and our very own in house production company that offers private labeling and a “brand incubator” initiative.
How did this come about? We’re glad you asked...
In September of 2020, TBB founder Jeremiah Newton, approached the team at O'Douds about potentially combining their knowledge and resources in a way that would allow both brands to coexist under the same roof but operate as separate entities. Jeremiah felt that he needed to be released from the demands of running a growing business in order to enter a new phase of his life, but didn’t want the TBB brand or community to dissolve as a result of his personal creative journey. Jeremiah decided that the folks here at O’Douds were the best group of people to take TBB forward and care for their customers. The years of friendship and collaboration between TBB and O’Douds made that decision and subsequent transition as easy as you could imagine.
In order to facilitate the distinct nature and needs of each brand, our team at O’Douds decided to form the parent company, Sensible Cosmetics Co., in order to effectively to house both brands and provide support to other creative projects and prospective endeavors.
As of today, the team at Sensible Cosmetics Co. is comprised of people from TBB, O’Douds, and a couple of newbies. We are a diverse and quirky group, but we all share one thing in common — we love creating and promoting products that use the best and most beneficial ingredients we can find, utilizing principles and practices that place an emphasis on equality, sustainability, and inclusion.
Our best days are ahead of us. We hope all of you will continue to join us on our journey forward.
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