Joli Faire Hair standing strong after five years
Chiney K preparing to expand brand with more products
Published:Friday | September 6, 2024 | 12:07 AMShanel Lemmie/Staff Reporter
In 2018, social media influencer Kerry-Ann ‘Chiney K Pop Girl’ Collins took a trip to India to film a season of her online series On My Mind. While in the Southeast Asian country, Collins was captivated by the haircare practices she saw being employed by the local women.
Reflecting on the trip, she said, “I loved it. I love India, it is one of my favourite places to visit. The people are nice, [but] the way they go about doing certain things is very different from what I’m used to and very different from what we’re used to on this side of the world. They really know certain plants and certain herbs for medicinal purposes or specific purposes that they need that maybe we won’t know.”
Soaking in that rich history, Collins decided to transform the knowledge she garnered into the brand Joli Faire Hair, starting with an organic hair growth oil. Made up of almond oil, mahabhringraj oil and cous cous grass, Collins said she wanted her product to employ ingredients that were tried and true among the local populace.
No doubt aided by her large online following, Joli Faire Organic Hair Growth Oil was launched in 2019 to rave reviews.
“I would definitely say it has been a huge success, way past my expectations. I had it as something that would work for me and I was basically testing it to see if other people would be interested but my main reason was selling it overseas because that’s where I lived. But then I realised that people in Jamaica wanted it also.”
She continued, “I used to sell it in Half-Way Tree. As in people would message me and I would meet them at the Burger King in Half-Way Tree and then they would then pay and pick up the oil.”
Once her product got picked up in stores, Collins said she would take pride in even stocking the shelves herself.
“I would take such pride in that, every time I saw it on the shelf. I do not for one second take it for granted that opportunity. The fact that I have a product on the shelf, I am forever grateful because my being popular [means people] will buy just because they like me. They don’t know if it works or nothing but they will buy it and support it because they believe in me and they believe in my brand. I am forever grateful for that and it’s just so much more to [do] with this brand.”
Though awestruck by her own transition from selling hair extensions to selling a product that promotes hair health, Collins said it was no easy feat building her brand. In addition to the loyalty of her fans and supporters, she says the success of Joli Faire Hair is inextricably linked to her drive to maintain trust with her audience.
“I think it’s because I am behind that brand why it’s so successful. Because I have not spent millions or even thousands on promoting my brand. Literally, I just do it by posting my content on social media, whether it has to do with my brand or not. Because if I post me, doing any type of content that I do or you happen to come across my video or you know Chiney K you automatically are gonna know Joli Faire. It’s one and one. I think that’s what separates Joli Faire, it is because of me behind it and the followers and the supporters that I have.”
As the business owner basks in the success she has cultivated, she is preparing to extend the Joli Faire Hair brand with more products.
“I’m currently working on a shampoo and conditioner, definitely a hair gel for my curly girls and if you like that slick look, it’ll be able to do that as well and a hair mask. So I’m in the process of creating that but it’s all about finding and formatting the perfect formula. So that’s where I am in the process of extending the line but the possibilities are endless in the hair care space. So I’m definitely working on other things as well. [I am] extending the line [and] including Joli Faire Hair tools to be a part of your hair care.”