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CLEVELAND — Too many Americans struggle with hair maintenance every day. And often the key to a successful style depends on the products you use.
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Back in 2012, New York native Laura Manning began her own hair care journey.
“During that time, my hair started falling out because I kept relaxing, so I decided to go natural with my friends,” Manning explained.
In search of new products, Manning turned to her local beauty supply store for help, but was disappointed to learn that many of the products on the shelves contained harmful ingredients.
“I think a lot of the products on the market are flawed in their overall properties,” Manning said.
So she decided to create her own line of hair care products called “LajAshley,” which is a combination of her first, middle, and last names.
“Rajashree is a 100% natural hair and skin care line that is suitable for all hair and skin types,” Manning said. “The first product was Lemon Meringue Shampoo, the second product was Papaya Surprise Conditioner, the third product was Strawberry Hair Moisturizer, and the fourth product was Chemical Chai, a dry hair elixir.”
Since first launching over a decade ago with just four products, Lola has expanded its line to include 19 products, with more on the way.
“Now those products are tailored to Afrocentric hair. I have friends with straight hair and friends of other ethnicities, and they need different types of products. “I was thinking about it,” Manning said of the impetus for expanding the business.
Manning has a background in chemistry and thought creating his own products was a natural fit, but developing natural products is a complex process. He was her first work, not her best work.
“It didn’t have a very good smell, and it wasn’t shelf stable,” Manning said.
Through trial and error, she continued to evolve her recipes. But it turns out she was ahead of the curve and had to wait for her suppliers and customers to agree.
“We didn’t want to compromise the quality of the materials by using materials that weren’t readily available,” says Manning. “I was waiting for times to change and people to understand that you can make great, holistic, plant-based products.”
Despite the difficult journey, Manning feels things continue to work out in her favor.
“There’s a time and a place for everything, and we feel there is no more perfect time to continue to scale, grow our business and secure more partnerships,” said Manning.
Her unique products have allowed her to connect with people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
“We specialize in products that help heal and repair the scalp, skin and hair, and provide completely natural solutions.
Aside from her business pursuits, Laura says working to warn people about harmful chemicals in products makes her long days worth it.
“It’s also about educating people about why using natural products is beneficial and that they should avoid the harmful risks of chemicals found in some common products such as lip balms. “It will be,” Manning said.
For more information about Lajashley products, click here to visit their website or check them out on social media.
Black light is a series created by 3News reporter Kiera Cotton with the goal of uncovering the hidden talents of Northeast Ohio’s Black community. If you would like to suggest a feature to Kierra, please email kcotton@wkyc.com.
Learn more about Kierra below.
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