A morning run, a weekend hiking trip, a beach vacation or a workout after work can sound like simple decisions. But for people whose hair requires significant time, products and maintenance, being active comes with another question: What is this going to do to my hair? For some, that question can be enough to make them reconsider the activity altogether.
Move With Confidence: Effortless Hair Care for Your Active Life.
The Refig, a personal care brand founded by Tanya Perkins, was created around the belief that it shouldn’t be that way. The brand makes straightforward hair and personal care products that are quick to use, naturally effective and designed for life on the go. Its solid shampoo and conditioner bars, along with powder-to-gel products, are designed to make personal care easier without adding unnecessary bulk, mess or time.
Hair is often treated as an afterthought when we talk about barriers to sports and recreation. Yet approximately one in four people say they under-participate in sports, outdoor activities, travel and other experiences because of their hair, and the challenge can be particularly significant for people with curly or textured hair. Maintaining a hairstyle, dealing with sweat or humidity, and finding the time to wash and restyle can make an active lifestyle feel considerably more complicated.
The Refig wants to change that calculation. Its products are designed around convenience, portability and simplicity, giving consumers alternatives to the bottles and elaborate routines that can make hair care feel like another piece of equipment to manage. A solid conditioner bar can go into a gym bag without the risk of a traditional bottle leaking, while powder-to-gel products offer lightweight formats for travel and everyday use.
The company’s approach began with Perkins’ own experience more than eight years ago. After an autoimmune condition led her to become more intentional about what she put in and on her body, she found that conventional hair products presented two problems: ingredients and routines that didn’t work for her. Rather than accept that as the cost of having healthy, manageable curls, Perkins began formulating her own hair care.
She focused on minimizing potential irritants, avoiding ingredients she considered unnecessary or harmful, and using as many straight-from-nature ingredients as possible. She also embraced sustainable practices and formulated with the goal of reducing the time and effort required to wash and style. Her own hair began to improve, and before long, friends and family across different races and hair types were asking her to make products for them.
What began as a personal experiment quickly outgrew its original purpose. Perkins was making regular batches for an expanding circle of people, eventually reaching the point where her home could no longer accommodate the demand. That’s when she made the decision to turn the hobby into a business and launch The Refig.
