Our Story
In 2007 Jose Bryce Smith [pronounced Josie], a very entrepreneurial Sydney salon owner, founded O&M with the mission to do something good in the world of hair colour and haircare and by virtue, do good in the world at large.
This was the beginning of Kind Haircare, Clean Colour.
Where it all began
Where it all began
As someone who has always been passionate about natural products, wellbeing and beauty, Jose saw first-hand in her own hair salon how harsh chemical products were affecting hairdressers and their clients. She already believed that hair colour would become a health choice like food, make up and cleaning products and there had to be another way, a better, cleaner way - and that’s how O&M was born.
Looking back, it was truly a ground-breaking idea. Jose pioneered a unique formulation of her own and created the first ammonia-free hair salon in Australia. She also made the first sulphate and paraben free shampoo in Australia. Since 2007, O&M has been ever-evolving into a movement, genuinely listening to salon owners and creating products to suit their needs, the O&M community has now reached over 15 countries and thousands of hairdressers and their clients are living healthier lives.
TO THE CØR
Fast forward to today, the current O&M lines include CØR.color clean permanent colour, non-permanent gloss colours, vegan powder lighteners, restorative treatments, a dynamic wetline and a powerhouse styling range. Almost 20 years later, Jose believes “we’re just getting started…”
What you'll never find inside our products.
Here are some of the “everyday” chemicals we’ve left out of our haircare and styling products.
PHTHALATES
Cling to the hair to give it fragrance and also gives hair product such as gels more staying power. Exposure to phthalates in pregnant women can cause harm during critical periods of a child’s development.
SULFATES
Are used to clean the hair of its natural oils leaving the hair feeling dry and looking matte. Denatures skin proteins and largely effects people with contact dermatitis.
PARABENS
Have antifungal and antibacterial properties that act as a preservative for maintaining freshness and longer product shelf life. One of the leading chemicals that can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Used to bind many haircare products together and retain moisture content not only on the hair but also in packaging. Propylene glycol has been linked to causing headaches, backaches and kidney problems.
M.I.T. - Methylisothiazolinone
prevents bacteria. Due to the high exposure to the scalp through haircare, MIT in hair products greatlydamages skin cells, causing itching, flaking and soreness on the scalp.
