Lianna Albrizio, Assistant Editor 12.07.22
The Dalai Lama once said the key to happiness is emptying your bowl of yesterday’s rice— metaphorically releasing any failures or disappointments that obstruct one’s view of life in novel ways.
For La La Anthony, founder of hair care brand Inala, that bowl was a literal one. Inside her kitchen at the apex of the pandemic, she’d experiment with rice water – the water leftover from cooked rice— to restore her hair’s health and shine.
Rice water contains chemicals including inositol to help repair split ends and protect hair from further damage to promote a stronger and more beautiful mane. Its earliest use was more than 1,000 years ago in Japan.
When Anthony’s DIY mixture started working on her own hair, she shared it with friends and family.
“Making rice water has its challenges, but I knew I had something that other women could really benefit from,” said Anthony in an interview with Happi. I wanted to figure out how to solve the issues with DIYing and make it available to more people.”
As a TV personality, Anthony knows the toll that being in the spotlight can have on one’s hair.
“Being an actress, I’m constantly having my hair done in different styles and being tugged and pulled, and I wanted to find a way to give my natural hair its health and strength back,” she said. “Rice water helped me grow my edges and made, not just my hair, but me feel good again. Self-confidence is so important to how we approach our every day, and if that can start with something so simple as taking care of your hair, then why not.”
Anthony has incorporated the rice water complex throughout the brand.
“Rice water on its own is an amazing ingredient,” said Anthony. “We use 100% pure rice water extract. It packs a variety of amino acids to help strengthen hair and Vitamins B, C, and E which are essential for scalp and follicle health. What’s special about Inala is we pair rice water with biotin and arginine to create our signature rice water complex. Together, these ingredients provide the necessary nutrients you need to help encourage hair growth, minimize loss and breakage and strengthen each strand.”
The brand’s first launch was Power Potion, which is Anthony’s favorite product in the line. The daily leave-in scalp treatment for all hair types works by stimulating the scalp to encourage growth while also replenishing and hydrating—all while strengthening and nourishing hair follicles. With regular use, the water-based formula minimizes breakage and shedding for fuller hair.
“It’s easy to apply and leaves no residue, so it doesn’t interfere with anything else,” she said.
Post-styling, Anthony recommends Inala’s Triple Threat Tonic, a daily, three-in-one treatment that works to boost shine and hydration while smoothing away frizz and fly-aways and fortifying strands and imparting her debut fragrance Eau La La. The “floral explosion” contains undertones of praline and musk with jasmine and violet and hints of Turkish rose and sweet apple to yield vibrancy and confidence in the wearer.
The range also includes Reset Rinse, a once-weekly treatment for removing build-up. The packaging has a pointed tip that help part the hair and apply product directly to the scalp.
Through a relatively new brand, Anthony says Inala has exceeded her expectations. And she says is expansion on the horizon.
“I love hearing the customer stories of how the Inala products have changed their hair or given them their confidence back,” she said. “It really fires me up. We are providing more than just a path to healthy hair; it’s about feeling confidence to really embrace your hair.”
Inala Hair Care products can be shopped here and on Amazon.
Inala Hair Care products can be shopped here and on Amazon.