Venus Concept Celebrates OCOA's Historic Launch of Dominican Heritage Hair Care at Ulta
- OCOA, founded by Dominican sisters, launches in over 450 Ulta Beauty stores, marking a significant milestone for representation.
- The brand features clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products designed for curly hair, aligning with Ulta's Conscious Beauty pillars.
- OCOA celebrates its launch with community events, promoting cultural heritage and inclusivity in the beauty industry.
OCOA's Historic Launch: A Celebration of Dominican Heritage in Clean Hair Care
OCOA, the clean curl care brand founded by Dominican sisters Cory Varona-Corniel and Nicol Varona Cancelmo, marks a significant milestone by making its national retail debut in over 450 Ulta Beauty stores and online at ulta.com. This launch is particularly noteworthy as OCOA becomes the first Dominican-owned hair care brand available at Ulta, showcasing the sisters' commitment to representing their culture and addressing the unique needs of curly hair. The brand's product line includes five meticulously crafted offerings: Curl Care Shampoo and Conditioner, Hydrating Curl Cream, Curl Defining Styling Gel, and the exclusive Curl Refresh + Hold Spray, all formulated with high-quality, skincare-level ingredients.
OCOA’s commitment to quality is complemented by its focus on sustainability and inclusivity. The brand’s products are designed without coconut oil and feature bilingual packaging, catering to a diverse consumer base. OCOA proudly meets all five Conscious Beauty pillars at Ulta, ensuring that its formulas are clean, vegan, and cruelty-free, along with sustainable packaging. This alignment with Ulta’s core values not only enhances the brand’s credibility but also underscores the importance of offering high-quality products that reflect the beauty needs of diverse communities.
The co-founders express immense pride in their Ulta launch, viewing it as more than just retail placement; it is a celebration of culture and community that highlights the beauty of curls. Jessica Phillips, Ulta Beauty's vice president of merchandising, acknowledges OCOA's role in addressing the diverse beauty needs of consumers and emphasizes the brand's participation in the MUSE Accelerator program, which supports emerging brands focused on innovation and inclusivity. To commemorate this milestone, OCOA plans to host two free events in Pennsylvania this September, inviting the community to engage with the founders, participate in refresh station activities, and receive complimentary OCOA products with a gift with purchase.
As OCOA establishes its presence in the hair care market, it not only empowers individuals with curly hair but also paves the way for greater representation in the beauty industry. The brand’s successful launch at Ulta serves as a testament to the growing demand for diverse and culturally relevant beauty products, reinforcing the importance of celebrating individual heritage and fostering community connections. With its strong foundation rooted in Dominican culture and its commitment to clean beauty, OCOA is poised to make a lasting impact in the hair care sector.