This Black-owned haircare brand takes environmental justice into its own hands with plant-based hair extensions.
After much trial and error on what works best for her scalp, founder Ciara Imani May launched a braid-care brand rooted in sustainability and comfort. Rebundle intersects personal wellness with the health of the environment by offering hair extensions crafted from plant-derived ingredients. Keep reading to learn how Rebundle is transforming the haircare game!
Ciara Imani May, Rebundle Founder & CEO Photo by Rebundle
The Beginnings of Rebundle’s Vegan Hair Extensions
May knows firsthand the scalp irritation synthetic hair can cause. When she created Rebundle, comfort was at the core of product development. “The idea for Rebundle sparked in 2019 when I suffered from one too many itchy scalps while wearing protective styles. Through researching alternative options, I learned that synthetic hair is made with toxic plastics harmful to my body and the environment. I combined my passion for sustainability and understanding of health disparities in personal care products to develop our first product, braidbetter,” shared May.
Banana fiber, grapeseed oil, and aloe vera are the essential ingredients in the brand’s bestselling product, braidbetter. Choose between everyday colors like Jet, Honey, and Natural. Feeling bold? Go for their newest additions, Merlot and Bubblegum. They also feature a Care Guide to help upkeep your hair extensions.
Photo by Rebundle
Rebundle’s Recycling Program
Rebundle’s commitment to sustainable practices can be seen throughout its products. Not only does braidbetter omit animal-based products from its ingredients, but the customer favorite is also biodegradable! When asked about Rebundle’s recycling program, May shared, “While our product, braidbetter, was created as a direct response to the lack of alternatives in the hair extensions industry, our plastic, synthetic hair recycling program is our way to take responsibility for the waste created by the industry and allows our community to choose sustainability no matter where they are in their journey toward healthy, sustainable living.”
The brand’s recycling program has collected over 350 bundles of hair, a significant step toward lowering waste in the hair industry. To amplify their eco-conscious efforts, Rebundle partners with 5 Media to tackle waste issues within hair production. “Our mission is to dramatically reduce the health and environmental disparities in the hair extensions industry. One way we do this is through our product and industry education,” said May. The program collects plastic synthetic hair from all brands and recycles it into outdoor furniture, housing materials, and more.
Photo by Rebundle
Brands like Rebundle are creating a more just and sustainable future for hair care and the beauty industry. To purchase their products, visit Rebundle.co and remember to follow them on Instagram for new product launches!
