Lana Kelly, a skin cancer survivor and avid self-tanner, has created the world’s first range of hair care for fellow fake tan enthusiasts to protect their hair from the damaging and unsightly effects of tanning products.
Named Auriche for its original purpose to protect golden hair (aur is derived from ‘gold’ in Latin), the Australian haircare range was developed after ground-breaking university research confirmed the damaging effect of fake tan on all hair.
The Auriche founder, Lana, said she created the protective products when it looked like she was going to have to choose between golden hair or golden skin.
“After a decade of regular fake tanning, I noticed persistent discolouration around my blonde hairline and realised that weekly spray tans were the culprit. Forced to choose between my hair and my skin was an impossible decision so I decided to find a solution that meant I wouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other,” Lana said.
The pandemic proved the perfect time to experiment when the corporate litigator was working from home and had time to test whether any commercially available products could protect hair from fake tan. When nothing worked on a collection of trimmings from her local hairdresser, Lana brought in some chemists to create world-first formulas.
Over the next few years, they worked together to refine the Auriche formulas and conduct clinical tests and trials, including a startling experiment in conjunction with the University of NSW, which showed that fake tan could be as damaging to hair as bleach. Under a specialist microscope, researchers examined virgin hair after a single exposure to fake tan and discovered the hair follicle was cracked, brittle and had sharp, shredded ends. Strands exposed to fake tan that had been protected with Auriche appeared smooth and healthy with no discernible cracks.
The result of four years of research and testing is a range of four Auriche products that offer the ultimate haircare regime for self-tanners, including:
- PROTECT: A protectant serum formulated to shield hair follicles and prevent damage and discolouration.
- CLEANSE: A clarifying vegan shampoo with natural exfoliators to remove discolouration and damage.
- RESTORE: Designed to complement the Cleanse shampoo in eradicating the buildup of tan chemicals on the hair, this unique bond-building purple conditioner also tones and brightens coloured hair.
- REPAIR: Like sunscreen for hair, this leave-in bond-building serum provides heat and UV protection designed to rebuild hair damaged by fake tan exposure.
The entire Auriche range is scientifically formulated, cruelty-free, Australian-made and comes in unique recycled-plastic packaging.
Auriche is available online at Auriche.com
Some photos from the launch:
