Carol Thomas Is Helping Clients Make The Healthy Hair Choice With New Haircare Line

When Carol Thomas first started her natural hair journey, it wasn’t by choice. The licensed cosmetologist had entrusted her tresses to an educator who left her with dry, damaged and breaking hair. When she couldn’t find the product on the market to help regrow her hair, she created her own.

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But the move made perfect sense for the 20-plus-year styling vet, who editors have referred to as the “Queen of Natural Hair.” She had always been focused on not just styling, but nourishing and celebrating her clients’ crowns. Now, her St. Charles Haircare line is a client must-have at her Brooklyn-based Just Because Hair Therapy Salon.

She has since expanded from her first offering, a Rebuilding Hair Mask, to an entire lineup, including a Cleansing Shampoo, Wellness Conditioner, 811 Oil, Destress Hair lotion, Nightcap, and OMG Pomade.

We caught up with Thomas to learn more about the brand she named after her father, solving her clients’ most pressing hair issues, and her choice to help clients achieve healthy hair.

— Stephenetta (isis) Harmon

SADIAA: Congratulations on your growing success! Can you tell us about the process of creating your own haircare product?
CAROL THOMAS: I made that product really for my own hair after having a bad hair experience. I needed to bring my hair back to life, so I started my research and came up with a rich creamy hair mask formula that was growing and thickening my hair. I started to use it in the salon on my clients and they were loving it. And, like my hair, it grew from there. 

SADIAA: What inspired you to offer your hair mask to clients?
CAROL THOMAS: My clients were coming in, complaining that they could not find a good quality product line that was simple to use. They were always looking for a product that was effective on their natural hair texture, that they could use at home to maintain their hair. Once I saw what it did to my own hair, it was only natural for me to extend the line and start retailing the product in the salon.

SADIAA: How has being a hairstylist influenced your product offerings?
CAROL THOMAS: I have seen every texture of hair and every scalp condition with my years of experience. I have listened to my clients during consultations for what they are missing in their haircare routines. I can now just look at your hair without even touching it and let you know what is happening with your hair. Your hair can tell me the story. With that said, this was how I was able to develop the product line. 

We needed a hair dress to apply to the hair and scalp at night. I created the Nightcap to help to moisturize the hair while you sleep, and the 811 Oil is perfect for very dry, itchy scalp. The OMG pomade is perfect to control the edges. So, being a hairstylist makes it much easier to create these products.

SADIAA: What was your biggest challenge in getting started?
CAROL THOMAS: One of my biggest challenges was fear. Really, it was the fear of my product being rejected. Over the years, I have had to test other people’s product lines and critique their lines and now the shoe was on the other foot. I feared being told my product was no good. But, I stayed firm and worked at it and I am now proud of every single product in the line, my hard work and dedication was well worth it.

SADIAA: Nice! Is there one product that has become a client fave?
CAROL THOMAS: The Destress Hair Lotion. It is a simple spray leave-in conditioner that can be used daily, on braids, on locs, and a quick refresher on the scalp after a workout. It is just as easy and simple to use and my clients just love it!

SADIAA: How do you see your line impacting the Black beauty market today?
CAROL THOMAS: For too long, Black women with textured hair have been left out of the market. My business is impacting the Black beauty industry by providing beauty products that are not watered down. They are made in small batches to maintain the quality. And, the St. Charles product line works on all texture hair of Black women. The line is simple. The regimen is simple but very effective.

SADIAA: Why is it so important to practice self-care with our hair?
CAROL THOMAS: To maintain the crown we never take off! You see, each head of hair is different, and with each visit to the salon, the hair needs different hair treatments. It is the only way to maintain natural hair — and my clients can see the change.