Debra Small grows from hair to skin care
By Bill Beene Of the St. Louis American
Happiness is memorable.
In 2005, that very basic business principle gave root to Debra Small’s hair care product line that bared the name, Happy People Only Spa Treatments.
The line began as a private product in Small’s NY NY Hair Design Studio, which she opened in 1990.
It has since grown into a brand with national prestige, boasting organic and nature-inspired ingredients.
But as one always looking to improve, this spring Small expanded the line to include skin care products.
Self-improvement is just one desire for the enterprising stylist. Small loves helping others, and plans to do it in a memorable way this Mother’s Day.
Her HPO Spa Treatments company is sponsoring a National Women’s Health Week event with a female focus.
The event from 3-6 p.m., Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13 at her NY NY Hair Design Studio, 10666 St. Charles Rock Rd.
“I love giving to organizations and other entities that are trying to move forward,” said Small who has provided services to several organizations throughout her career.
Women are welcome to arrive at their leisure for a few hours of complimentary and “much deserved” pampering.
Small is providing samples of her nature-inspired hair and skin products, as well as free chair massages, manicures and gift bags.
Small said she aims to bring awareness to the health and wellness of the total person – not just hair and body.
“You can do anything with your hair, but you should be aware of what you’re using on your hair and skin,” said Small, a vegetarian and lover of nature and animals.
As an animal lover, Small never tested her products on animals. And boasts no fillers or toxins.
Her hair products are mixes of avocado, honey, wheat protein and “love,” for everyone from toddlers to the eldest of elders, she said.
Avocado pulp throughout history has been used directly on the hair to stimulate hair growth. The oil of this plant has also been used to soften the scalp and hair, giving them more resilience and smoothness.
Honey is a natural humectant, which has the ability to attract and retain moisture. Honey is also said to have significant natural antioxidant properties.
Wheat protein helps reconstruct and strengthen weakened hair shafts, affecting elasticity, shine and riddance of split ends.
HPO’s skin line includes a Brownie Body Bar, Lemon Body Bar, She Essence Perfume Oil and Lips: Just A Kiss.
The body bars include shea butter, coconut oil and palm oil. Her perfume oil consists of jasmine, fig and lemon and her lip balm is made with shea butter, honey, avocado and provides SPF protection.
Before weaving her way into the hair care industry, which began after she attended Elaine Stevens beauty college, Small tried her hand at dance and once moved her feet for the late great Katherine Dunham.
However, hair kept blowing her way, and she found herself working in chemistry lab for a corporate hair care line. It was there that Small fashioned herself as an innovator, disagreeing with some of the products results.
An aunt with cancer also was a catalyst for the hair care and health enthused Small, who started consulting her relative and making her own conditioners.
“I have so many loves in the beauty business,” said Small, now somewhat of a memorable giant in the hair care (and now skin care) arena.