Paul Brown, hair stylist and founder of Paul Brown Hawaii Hair Care opened his first Honolulu hair salon in1971. Today, he owns six salons and day spas throughout the Hawaiian Islands. In 1989, he founded his successful international hair care products company under his own name.
Brown’s industry experience combined with his love for Hawaii enabled him to create multicultural shampoos, conditioners and other products using natural Hawaiian plants and sea essences. He has also developed many professional techniques and products recognized and used worldwide. Brown is active in the professional beauty industry and is currently the Vice President of the International Salon Spa Business Network (ISBN). He travels extensively, giving demonstrations and explaining his distinctive hair design techniques throughout Asia, Italy, the United Kingdom,Canada, Belgium, Egypt, Guam, Australia, the Netherlands, Iceland and Germany.
In recent interview Brown explained his philosophy of hair care:
- What is the inspiration behind your line and what made you launch it?
I have been a hairdresser since I was 12 years old and at 19 I was sent to Hawaii by a company that owned 6 salons and a department store as an art director. I noticed that there was not one product in Hawaii (I am originally from San Francisco) at the time that accommodated all hair types. So I started to think it would be smart to design a line that would accommodate Asian hair, African American hair, Caucasian hair and all hair types.
We are still a small company but I have bought on some partners and bigger players to that helped us grow. I still own 6 salons / spas in Hawaii. The salon business is still my love and I cut hair 4 days a week. I love cutting hair because it’s who I am and when I am travelling I really miss it.
- What are your favorite hairstyles and which hair type to you like to work with?
I like a challenge, so I like the something that is different or more difficult. There isn’t really any type of hair that I prefer over the other, I just like making the client happy. What I do is I talk to the client, find out how they feel about themselves, what kind of lifestyle they have and how much time they want to spend on their hair, and then design something that works for their lifestyle.
- Can you comment about some current trends?
I think things are going towards being edgier again and I think we are going to see some bright, vivid colors. At the moment things are very plain and very simple and healthy but I think that bright red that is coming back. I just came back from Korea 3 weeks ago, and it has now become the fashion capital of the world. They wear edgy stuff; people are experimenting more it will eventually come to the main stage.
- Is there a big trend going on in Hawaii?
Hawaii is a lifestyle choice and in our salons we do beautiful, healthy hair. In Hawaii people are not as fashion conscious- they swim and surf and it’s more about a healthy lifestyle.
- Can you walk us through your product range?
We have shampoos for frizzy, curly hair that enhance curl or keep it straight. We have chemical products. We don’t have color but we have a lot of shine products. Shine is very important.
The real uniqueness of our line is that we are the first to have Kukui Nut Oil. Kukui nut oil is scientifically proven to have a small enough molecule to penetrate into the hair so you see a difference. It strengthens the hair and gives it a lot of shine and elasticity. We are the first in the industry to use this ingredient so not many other companies have it.
- What is the best part of being a hairstylist?
I have to tell you the best part of being anything is passion and if you have passion about what you are doing you are going to be successful. I think anyone can be successful if they are passionate. The most important thing for me is that I love what I do and I am happy with what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything I didn’t enjoy. I think everyone should find a niche. Even if they aren’t going to make a lot of money because it doesn’t really make you happy. Of course, if you have money it helps but it doesn’t make you happy.
Aloha!
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