Caring for curly or coily hair can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, a sentiment echoed by Adria Marshall, the brain behind Ecoslay. Tired of hunting through drugstore aisles only to find labels full of unpronounceable ingredients, she took matters into her own hands, creating hair care recipes straight from her kitchen.
Adria Marshall’s journey from frustration to innovation began when she realized the dearth of products available for her natural curls and the environment. In her words, “There were hardly any products available for my hair type.” Undeterred, Marshall started experimenting with natural ingredients sourced from local farmers’ markets, aiming to concoct hair care products that would be both effective and eco-friendly. Her pioneering efforts paid off when Ecoslay’s Orange Marmalade, a curl-defining gel, caught the internet’s attention through a friend’s viral video. Marshall recalls this turning point fondly, highlighting how it helped propel Ecoslay from a kitchen experiment to a significant player in the natural hair care market.
Marshall’s connection to nature runs deep, drawing inspiration from her childhood where gardening was a family activity. This bond is evident in Ecoslay’s range of products that cater to all stages of a curly-haired individual’s wash day routine, from moisturizing cleansers to hot oil treatments. The standout product remains the Orange Marmalade Flaxseed and Aloe Curl Definer, lauded for its effectiveness and backed by thousands of glowing reviews. Marshall ensures each product is handcrafted, maintaining strict standards for ingredient integrity and sustainability, a commitment she upheld even when scaling her business.
Ecoslay’s ethos extends beyond hair care; it is a movement toward sustainability and community empowerment. The brand partners with organizations to harvest homegrown ingredients and runs initiatives like the Ecoslay Foundation and Ecobator program to support marginalized communities and budding eco-friendly businesses. Marshall voices her concerns about ‘greenwashing’ in the industry but expresses optimism about legislative changes, such as the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, hoping they will foster greater accountability among brands.
Through dedication and an unyielding commitment to quality and sustainability, Adria Marshall has positioned Ecoslay as more than just a hair care brand—it’s a beacon of innovation and community support in the beauty industry.
Source: Forbes
