MEET HAKALIA
Originally born and raised in Indonesia, all my family members still live there. I now live in California solo. I’m a teacher. I honestly just started this adulting thing, so I’m still figuring out who I am.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TEXTURE OF YOUR HAIR?
My texture would probably be 3a, closer to 3b; fine/medium, medium/high-porosity with normal density (though can get low when under stress).
HOW DID YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR HAIR BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS?
Before I embraced my curl, I straightened my hair dead right after the shower with all the toxic 'pssshh' of my wet hair being straightened. Ugh, still having nightmares about it. Coming to the US from Indonesia, it was hard breaking out of the ‘straight-hair, fair-skin’ Asian beauty standard mentality. So, before, I always straightened my hair every single day for school and college. When I started embracing my curls, I kept only using leave-in conditioners from basic stores. I was basically living fully frizzy. I also just started teaching for the first year so all the stress made my hair fall out so easily.
WHAT MADE YOU SEEK OUT THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS? HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE COMPANY?
I first heard about The Innate Life from a really funny + insightful youtuber ManesbyMell. I started to learn more about curly hair care from her, so I decided to try it out.
WHAT SETS THE INNATE LIFE APART FROM OTHER COMPANIES IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?
I think the ingredients and results were really what set it apart from others. At first glance, the ingredients seem to be mostly natural and ayurvedic. After using it, I started to have a less itchy scalp, more dense hair, and my wash days are divine.
WHAT IS YOUR HAIRCARE ROUTINE NOW?
PRE-WASH
I used to pre-poo the night before wash day religiously, using the holy grail Scalp Treatment and Herbal Hair Mask. But after I ran out of the products, and my teaching residency (grad classes + internship) started, I had to cut back on products. And because I cut my hair shorter, I don’t pre-poo as often as before since I wash my hair about once every three days.
DURING WASH
For deep cleansing, I use another scalp care, but for my Shampoo + Conditioner (discontinued) I use The Innate Life. When I wash more than 3 times a week, I use a co-wash so my hair doesn’t get too dry. I either use a scalp scrubber or my hands, focusing on the scalp, then I condition focusing on my ends-up while avoiding the root. I use another mask once a week.
POST-WASH
For styling, I style only after showering, on damp hair. I used to use the Innate Life Leave-in Conditioner and the Neroli Hair Primer before but (again) I ran out of product and time for lengthy styling. So now, I use another leave-in and The Innate Life Neroli Hair Primer (raking in both with my hands ends-up, avoiding roots). Then I use a styler or mousse depending on whether I want a cast that lasts or not. Air-drying has been the move lately because it does give me more cast.
HOW DID YOU SEE YOUR HAIR CHANGE AFTER USING THE INNATE LIFE PRODUCTS?
After using The Innate Life, I see the most change in my scalp itchiness and density. My hair fall started to lessen tremendously, and I see less of my scalp near my temple area where I used to see it a lot.
WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCT AND WHY?
The baddest, the Beyoncé of pre-poos, the most reliable, THE pre-poo Scalp Treatment + Herbal Hair Mask. I really see a lot of results after using this product for a whole year. My scalp and hair feel so amazing and healthy even before washing. My styling also seems to last longer because of my healthier hair.
WHO WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THESE PRODUCTS TO?
Probably everyone that I know. I’ve already been doing that.
HOW DOES THE INNATE LIFE FIT INTO A LIFESTYLE COMMITTED TO HEALTH + WELLNESS?
I think the natural ayurvedic ingredients make the products so much more reliable and healthier for our bodies.