Pardon My Fro is a brand that’s fierce, funky, and designed to help women embrace their hairstyles. This lifestyle brand was started by graphic designer Dana Bly, and includes haircare, home decor, luggage, and signature apparel, including illustrative kimonos.

This year Dana has expanded her brand into Pardon My Fro’s hair care assortment line, which includes: Moisturizing Hair Milk, Curl Enhance Conditioner, Detangler Leave-In Conditioner, Edge Slayer, Mousse, and Growth Oil. We sat down with Dana to chat about creating her first haircare line, her experience as a designer, and her entrepreneurial journey. NaturallyCurly.com was able to sit down with Dana and ask her a few questions:

What did your experience as a graphic designer do for your approach to textured hair?

I think when I first started designing, I probably self-consciously was always designing tight curls because my hair was sporty. It wasn’t until I learned about the diversity of textures in hair and got inspiration from my friends that I expanded my designs. I realized that natural hair comes in all different shapes and sizes and I feel like it has changed over the years. If you see a design from like 2010 versus now, you’ll see some versatility in that.

What have you learned from creating your first collection?

After the experience of working with a chemist, I wanted to make sure that whatever we did was focused on hydration and moisture. This had to be the key. I built Pardon My Fro based on my type 4C hair experiences. I felt like my hair never got washed, moisturized enough, and was never hydrated enough. My scalp was always so dry, so I examined all the brands on the market that had previously been effective for me. I brought those to the chemist and said to them, “Well, these are the ingredients that work for me.” It was very intentional for me to make sure that anything that we put out, that it has hydration.

What have you learned from creating your first hair care collection?

I’m still learning. We launched at Walmart in February and the overall experience has been wonderful. I believe that my artistry is what makes my brand unique. I focus on creating hairstyles that evoke emotion, tell a story, and reflect the personality of my customers.
I also put a lot of effort into creating a unique customer experience that is rooted in my artistry. The journey has had its ups and downs, but it is something that I’ve enjoyed.

Out of the entire collection, what’s your favorite and how would you recommend using it?

At first, hair milk. Hair milk was specially formulated to help moisturize and protect hair from the elements, and it’s easy to apply with its lightweight, non-greasy texture.
The Edge Boss, which won the Pop Sugar Beauty Award for Best Edge Control of the Year is also a great option for those looking for an edge control product because it provides a strong hold without leaving behind any residue. It’s also free of parabens and sulfates, so it’s gentle on the hair and scalp. This has become my new favorite because it smells so good, it’s compact, and travel-friendly.+