Autumn Brown Yarbrough, a third-generation entrepreneur, made a historic move. Yarbrough and her hair care brand NU Standard, recently launched their HYDRASILK Hydrating Bonding System in CosmoProf stores nationwide, a Sally Beauty Holdings company. This partnership marks the first distribution of a hair bonding system designed by a Black woman for textured hair.
The hair care expert spoke to rolling out about the science behind NU Standard’s HYDRASILK and more topics.
What made you want to get into the hair care business?
My grandfather, Comer Cottrell, started a company called Proline. Proline was a trailblazer in the ’70s, providing access to hair care products to our community. He championed the idea of making sure we could decorate our crowns and enjoy them. Back in those days it was tough to get access. Growing up and seeing him build an incredible business, starting with a typewriter and $300, to a very successful global business, I couldn’t help but fall in love with hair. What brought me into the business were my own hair challenges.
What were your personal biggest hair challenges?
Honestly, suffering from hair loss was my biggest issue. That’s when I realized the importance of nutrition and the lack thereof. Being a busy woman on the go, I realized I wasn’t taking care of myself like I should have. The stress and poor digestion were affecting my hair, so we decided to launch immediately with our supplements, which were very helpful. I learned [these hair care tips] from a stylist. That’s how it all began, solving the pain points.
What does NU Standard mean?
NU Standard means having a necessary understanding of hair, hair wellness, textured hair and ensuring the Black community is included in the inception of new products and innovations. We no longer want to be left out or left behind.
What is the science behind HYDRASILK?
We teamed up with a chemist and a manufacturer who focus on the science of textured hair while being inclusive of all hair types. Our champion product when it comes to science is HYDRASILK, which is a bonding product. Bonding is a new category that has been triumphed by incredible leaders who started it but we were not included. It was not solving my issues of moisture and hydration or breakage. Bonding products help with the disulfide bond, salt bond and hydrogen bond, especially the disulfide bond where the hair naturally bends and breaks. Bonding helps mend and strengthen that breaking point, preventing breakage. It also effectively binds hydration to the hair.
What is the significance of the timing of this partnership coming during National Women’s Small Business Month?
Every day, we need to recognize and champion what women do because it’s not easy. When it comes to hair challenges, we must not forget that losing hair is particularly difficult for women. Our hair is a part of our beauty and pride. We enjoy celebrating our hair, whether it’s short or long. We want to enjoy our crowns.
