Career Diaries: Why Holly Harding Founded O'o Hawaii Skin Care

I remember my first experience with hawaii mature like it was yesterday. I managed to get a sample of the brand Brilliant Feather Beauty Balm and immediately fell in love. The formula is the silkiest, softest balm I've ever encountered, and the scent is almost identical to that of a sweet berry smoothie (and just as addictive). After the first use, I was looking forward to applying it in the evening because I always wake up with a soft dewy complexion. Thus began my love story with O'o Hawaii skincare. 

I digress (because I could easily talk about these products for hours) but my great first experience got me to test some of the brand's other bestsellers such as Birdbath Antioxidant Cleansing Balm, Birdseed Detoxifying Purifying Scrub и Golden Nectar Brightening Firming Ferul Serum. Since then, O'o Hawaii products have become a staple in my life. skin care collectionand judging by all the amazing reviews I've heard in real life and seen online, I'm not alone. To learn more about O'o Hawaii and the genius woman who started it all, I contacted founder Holly Harding. She goes on to tell the history of the brand, how she came up with the brand name, and what brought her to Hawaii in the first place.

Can you share the story behind the creation of O'o Hawaii? 

As a holistic nutrition coach, helping others live their best lives and be as healthy as possible is always my goal. I love this part of my career and I also wanted to apply this approach to skin care. I created O'o Hawaii with the concept of "beauty from within" because I believe that skin care starts with food. I wanted the line to perfectly combine health and nutrition with external skin care. Nature provides us with everything we need for skin care, and it was important to me that my line embody this philosophy. 

How did you come up with the name O'o Hawaii?

The name O'o Hawaii is a tribute to the Hawaiian bird ʻōʻō, which is now extinct. This bird was known for its beautiful call, and some people in Hawaii believe they can still hear it today. Like this bird, our ingredients represent beauty. We create products with ingredients that preserve, protect and enhance the skin, and make sure that the natural resources from which we source our ingredients are conserved and protected.

Have you always lived in Hawaii? 

My husband's career took us to Hawaii in 2003. Before that we lived in Boston. He had great opportunities for his musical career (he was a saxophonist in a BBC rock band), so we packed up and moved to Oahu. At the time, I wasn't thrilled with the idea of ​​moving to Hawaii because I had really good conditions in Boston and the move was overwhelming. However, after six months in Hawaii, I fell in love. I took a surf lesson and my life changed forever. I have been living in Hawaii for over 15 years and have no plans to leave!

What were you doing before O'o Hawaii?

We owned Bubble Shack Hawaii, a natural bath and body company, for ten years and sold it in 2016. Then I went back to nutrition school and started coaching clients and helping them get healthy. 

What is a typical day for you? 

I usually wake up around 6 or 6:30 am, have breakfast with the dogs, have breakfast by myself, and by 7 am go to the computer. At 9 am I take a break and train every day. I use the rest of the day for office work or client meetings, and a few days a week I jump into the ocean in the late afternoon to surf. I also enjoy mountain biking, but I leave that for the weekend.

Can you share your daily makeup and skincare routine? 

I have the luxury of working from my home office, so I rarely wear makeup during the day. If anything, I'll just put on mascara. I religiously use the entire O'o Hawaii regime day and night (but only scrub and mask in the morning, not in the evening). 

What was the biggest moment in your career when you pinched me? 

We saw our products on the Neiman Marcus shelf. In the realm of luxury, I can't imagine a more respected salesperson.  

If you only had to recommend one of your skin care products, which would it be?

My personal favorite in terms of performance Golden Nectar Brightening & Firming Ferul Serum because it instantly revitalizes and brightens the skin. I'm a surfer, and in the water and in the sun quite a lot, so I always struggle with sunspots. Golden Nectar really helped get rid of those annoying blemishes.  

What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs?

Don't try to do everything yourself. Find capable people to help you in areas where you are either not as talented or you don't like it and focus on your strengths.  

Can you tell us about the ingredients in O'o Hawaii? What does "no filler" mean?

Our ingredients are highly concentrated active substances. By "filler-free" we mean we don't use soy, palm or silica to "fill the jar" and dilute the actives to increase profit margins.  

Can you tell us about H Life Method and how does that relate to O'o Hawaii skincare? 

During my nutrition education, I studied over 100 dietary theories and gradually stuck to some of them more than others. I have found that the more people know about themselves at different levels, the more likely they are to respond positively to the plan, which is then tailored to their specific needs, body type, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition. I teach my clients so much about myself that by the end of my program, their old ways of thinking seem so alien. The amazing thing is that it constantly makes me think about my own health, and since I prefer to lead by example, it also keeps me in control. 

What's next for you and the brand? 

We are currently working on opening many new stores around the world including Japan, Hong Kong, Russia and Australia. Over the next six months or a year, you'll see O'o Hawaii in various new real world locations.   

What does beauty mean to you? 

Sounds like a Miss America answer, but I truly believe that beauty starts from within, starting with the attitude and heart of the individual. Being sincere, considerate and remembering the highest good is where beauty begins.