Meet Pretti Beast Lulu Cordero Owner and Founder of Bomba Curls

Over the weekend I kicked off my column with Urban Magazine. I introduced readers to kick-ass women of color who were kicking butt in the beauty industry. One of those women was Lulu Cordero, owner and founder of Bomba Curls. I got a chance to catch up with Lulu. I learned that entrepreneurship is in her DNA, why it was so important for her to create an eco-friendly beauty brand.

Tell me a little about what you did before Bomba Curls and how if at all it prepared you for entrepreneurship.

So, my father opened his own business when I was nine and even as a kid, I was expected to help with the business-whether that meant answering the phones, cleaning up, typing something up- it didn't matter...I was expected to be a part of the process. When I graduated college, I went back home for what was supposed to be a few months, to help my dad with the business and that turned into me staying on to help grow his business. In helping to build his dream, I learned invaluable lessons on the hard work, sacrifice and grit that it takes to follow the entrepreneurial path. Those same lessons, I put to use every single day, as I build my business from the ground up. It’s not easy, because ultimately everything falls on your shoulders but it’s also extremely gratifying to be able to walk in my purpose.

How did it make you feel learning that there were only two other Afro-Latina owned beauty brands?

Disappointed. Women of color are the top consumers of hair and beauty products, yet we are left out of business side of the equation. Why is that? We should have a say in the creation of our products, in the messages that our brands communicate and honestly, who better than us to create the very brands that speak to our beauty needs.

Okay so why Bomba Curls? Why now? Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

Bomba Curls has been a dream of mine for almost ten years. I was actually a pre-med student, which means I took A LOT of chemistry, that allowed me to formulate my own products. I’ve been making my own Dominican inspired, natural, eco-friendly hair products for ages but I let fear and self-doubt stop me from pursuing my dreams of building Bomba Curls. My goal is to help the curly community celebrate their natural hair, because to this day there is a stigma associated with rocking your natural curly crown. It’s a declaration that you are beautifully made. I also think the Afro-latinx community has been getting a little more visibility and the world was ready to experience what Bomba Curls is bringing to the haircare space. Hopefully, in 10 years Bomba Curls will be a household name that’s expanded our offerings of healthy, eco-friendly products to have you covered from head to toe.

Your crown and glory is the Forbidden Oil. Can you explain a little of what it does and how it got its name?

The Forbidden Oil does it all! It’s my wonder oil that I created almost a decade ago because I suffered from traction alopecia and needed something that would promote growth but would be lightweight enough for daily use. You can apply it to your scalp or edges to stimulate growth, add it to your conditioner to boost its conditioning qualities, use it as the oil in your LOC method, pre-poo/hot oil treat with it (it literally melts away tangles) and you can use even use it on your body to help you achieve smooth, glowing skin. The Forbidden Oil got its name because I created it using Dominican beauty secrets for hair growth stimulation. It is very taboo to share our growth methods with anyone who is “off island” and I’m literally doing the Forbidden by being the first to truly share our hair secrets with the world, hence the name the Forbidden Oil.

What are some of the unique needs of 3 and 4 curl types? How does Bomba Curls meet those needs?

I’m a 3C with some 3B and 4A thrown in there and my mom is 4B with some 4C in the mix as well, and Bomba Curls was specifically formulated with the needs of type 3 and type 4 curls in mind. Our hair types struggle with moisture retention and are more prone to breakage because each turn along the hair shaft represents a potential breakage point, the tighter the curl the more potential breakage points. That said, Bomba Curls products are made to be intensely moisturizing, my formulas are downright decadent. I wanted to ensure that I formulated in such a way that maximizes the amount of moisture our hair receives and maintains and the quality of the ingredients I use plays a big part in that. Slip is key to preventing breakage and my type 3 and type 4 curlistas will appreciate the fact that I did not skimp on slip, while keeping everything silicone free! (yay!)

So I checked out your blog and I just have to ask, does caffeine really stimulate hair growth?

It truly does! Coffee has been used back home -in DR- to promote growth for generations! You'd brew some coffee, let it cool and rinse your hair with it. I've captured that same "caffeine buzz" in the Forbidden Oil to help keep the stimulation going well beyond what you'd get with a simple coffee rinse. It's pretty interesting because now we have research that backs our traditional, herb-centric approach to growth. The research shows that caffeine blocks DHT, a hormone that causes hair loss, and it's been scientifically proven to help speed up the hair growth cycle. It looks like we were on to something. :)

Your website repeatedly notes that Bomba Curls is a clean option (woo hoo). How important was it for you to create an environmentally friendly product?

Extremely important because I live a green lifestyle. I don’t just talk the talk, I walk the walk and my products are a direct reflection of that. I went natural back in 2004 because I wanted to live a more wellness centered life and letting go of toxic chemicals was a part of that process. My formulas are clean and green because I personally understand the detrimental effects toxic chemicals can have on our bodies and the environment. Every Bomba Curls product is cruelty free, silicone free, paraben-free, SLS free, palm oil free, pretty much anything bad for you or the environment free! It’s important for me to do my part via Bomba Curls to help take care of our planet, so that our planet can take care of us.

What's some advice you would give to another Afro-Latina looking to carve her own space in the beauty industry?

As Afro-Latinas, we come from a culture where our community oftentimes lacks representation so it can be difficult to imagine yourself as a founder, creator or boss! However, trust in your abilities and know that you have something of value to contribute to the beauty industry. Our unique perspective is a story that needs to be told. Don’t be afraid to bring the sazon!

What advice would you give another woman on balancing entrepreneurship and life?

Take some ME time. Being an entrepreneur requires that you wear a million hats, put out a million fires and juggle having a million to-do items on your list. I make it a point to stop and include time for the things that bring me a little joy, aside from my business of course, like cooking, spending time with my family or date night with my husband. Do what you need to do, but always make sure that me time is a part of your schedule. You don’t want to burn yourself out because you’ll be no good to yourself or your business if you do.