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Got Hair? Get Hamadi — organic hair care

Jamal Hamadi, Owner Hamadi Beauty Organic Hair Care

Hamadi Beauty will infuse your hair with healthy ingredients to create easy styles. Jamal Hamadi, a laidback, Los Angeles, California, native, has styled and cared for the locks of head-turning celebrities such as top models Linda Evangelista and Liya Kebede and starlets Naomi Watts and Rachel Bilson. For more than a decade he has toured the globe working backstage at fashion shows and contributing to many editorial for A-list glossy magazines including InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Modern Bride, Elle, Luckmag.com, Fashion Week Daily and more to the Red Carpet. For this reason, the Hamadi Beauty hair care line carries the cheeky tagline "Tested on Actresses, Never on Animals". Jamal's natural philosophy and products are a testament of his dedication to and mastery of soft, easy, wearable, effortless styles that are chic, envy grabbing and achievable by anyone.

Jamal styles photo shoot model

Jamal speaks to the CHiC on healthy, haute hair.

CHiC: You've styled hair for some of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood for a number of years. What made you to decide to branch out from styling hair for celebrities to creating your own line?

Jamal: The desire to create my own line started very early on in my career because of two reasons. First, I learned about the benefits of using natural ingredients on hair and realized that most professional hair care products in the late 80's/early 90's were far from being natural or contributing to the overall health of hair (besides Aveda, which was a huge inspiration to me). Second, most of my clients were coming to me for hair color corrections. They were complaining about how dry their hair was as well as their frustration with products on the market that simply didn't work.

This led me to begin formulating my own conditioning treatments for clients and called my attention to the fact that there was a huge gap in the hair care market. Hair products from that period left hair stiff and hard — flashback to mousse and gel. Lightweight hair creams or conditioning sprays didn't exist at the time. On the other hand most of the natural products that were available had a not so attractive, very “homemade” or “granola” aesthetic. I felt there was a need for a line with sophistication that would appeal to a larger audience. Thus, in 2004 Hamadi was born.

Hamadi Headwork

CHiC: Hamadi Beauty is an organic hair care line, but what exactly makes it organic? What makes it different from all the other shampoos and conditioners on the market?

Jamal: Hamadi Beauty is not a completely organic hair care line; it's a combination of natural and organic ingredients like shea butter, rice proteins and plant extracts. Our Hair Washes will be certified organic by Summer 2007, but all the products contain organic ingredients such as essential oils. Due to the quality of the ingredients, when you use Hamadi products it doesn't feel like you have product in your hair – hair feels and looks natural. We believe that you can nurture the health of your hair while you style it.

CHiC: Is organic hair care better and in particular, for African-American hair, which tends to be quite fragile?

Jamal: All organic products are wonderful even when it comes to hair care. Organic products are grown without harsh chemicals and toxins that are damaging for all hair type, be it fine, kinky, thick, curly, etc. The texture of African-American hair, which is often very delicate and needs extra TLC, can benefit greatly from the use of organic products.

CHiC: What are some of the most common mistakes African-American women make when it comes to caring for their hair?

Jamal: Unfortunately, it's the use of harsh chemicals, which leaves the hair extremely brittle and causes breakage. Over-processing, especially when it comes to hair color and the abundance of heat styling, then neglecting to replenish moisture or nutrients is another major mistake. These three mistakes alone or in combination wreak havoc on hair.

Appropriate for All Hair Types and Concerns

CHiC: Are there any specific products in the line you would suggest for women of color with natural hair like close-cropped afros, braids and dreads as well as for women with relaxed tendrils?

Jamal: The complete Hamadi line is ideal for African-American hair because it's gentle, simple and natural. Each wash, mask and styler was developed to nourish and replenish hair from the inside out with ingredients that add moisture and create a barrier of protection for hair.

Shea Spray (Detangler / Shine Booster)	Shea Mask (Hydrating Treatment / Moisturizer)	Shea Pomade (Texturizer)	Shea Hair Cream (Heat Styling Prep)

Dentagler / Shine Booster
The Shea Spray is great for all hair types and styles. It can be used as a detangler after washing hair as well as used to add shine to natural and relaxed hairstyles.

Hydrating Treatment / Moisturizer
The Shea Mask is a great deep hydrating treatment for an extra boost of moisture, for example, after a relaxer or hair color.

Texturizer
For close-cropped afros and short, relaxed cuts the Shea Pomade is a favorite for adding texture or separation.

Heat Styling Prep
Before drying long, relaxed hair, use the Shea Hair Cream for a smooth blow-out.

No Hair Clutter

CHiC: Your line doesn't have a multitude of products for cleansing, conditioning and styling. What was your rationale for that?

Jamal: Hair care doesn't have to be complicated or confusing. Who needs or wants a ton of product to get a great head of hair? I wanted Hamadi to be effective yet easy and multipurpose. For example, the Shea Hair Cream is a styling product that can be used to enhance curl, but it can also be used as a straightening balm. Some of my celebrity clients have been creative with some of the products such as using the Shea Pomade as a body moisturizer, which makes logical sense since its nearly all shea butter.

Simple Solutions

Combat the harsh effects of chlorinated water and sun on natural and relaxed hair

• Coat locks with a hair moisturizing sunscreen like the Hamadi Shea Spray containing naturally occurring sunscreen in the shea butter for sun protection and to ensure hydration.
• Although it might not be very fashionable, wearing a swim cap is wise.

Prevent hair color from fading in a flash

• Use a conditioning styling product to create a base of protection and to fight frizz.
• Spritz hair throughout the day with a hydrating hair sunscreen especially if you know you are going to be in the sun for an extended period of time.
• For added protection, tie a chic scarf around your locks allowing for function with fashion, the new trend in hair care.

General Hair Health

• Use shampoos that are natural and gentle, like the Hamadi Ginger Soymilk Hair Wash.
• Stay away from hair cleansers that contain sulfates, which can be harsh.
• Read the ingredients on the back, not just the claims made on the front of the bottle.
• Keep heat styling and hair coloring to a minimum. Moderation is a virtue so, don't over do it.
• For a quick boost take, take pre-natal vitamins, but ultimately a great diet will promote the overall health of your hair.

Hair Growth
Brush your hair every night to stimulate your scalp and to help circulate the blood to your head. This will get the natural oils in your hair flowing, which will combat a dry scalp and promote hair growth.

Rid Dandruff
For persistent or heavy dandruff, massage scalp with a hair humectant like the Hamadi Shea Pomade regularly, but apply sparingly.

Boost Luster / Shine
Boost luster with a lightweight hair serum like the Hamadi Shea Spray. A little goes a long way with most shine serums so apply with a light hand. Spray on damp hair after washing to help create glossy sheen when blow-drying or after styling to tame fly-aways and fight frizz.

Hamadi does hair good.

By K'era Morgan

Check out the Hamadi Beauty website in the Hair Stylists category of CHiC Links.

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