Our Story
Made for my family. And yours.
How a search for something better became Ivy & Elder.
Where it began
My journey with Ivy & Elder began when I started searching for hair care that helped my daughters with their natural waves and curls. I wanted products that aligned with how I care for my family and our home, and made our lives easier — and that actually worked.
The search for something better.
Like many families, we tried a lot of options. Some delivered results but came with ingredients I wasn't comfortable using long term. Others focused on being "clean," but left my daughters' hair dry and frizzy or didn't bring out their waves. I was looking for something that felt balanced: effective, fragrance-free, simple to use, and made with care.
At the same time, I was navigating my own relationship with my thick, wavy hair. Most days, I wore it up because, once my hair dried, it got too big and overwhelming to deal with. I wanted a simple wash-and-go routine that enhanced natural texture without buildup, stiffness, or extra steps.
That search led us to Ivy & Elder.
A natural next chapter.
The products stood out immediately. They worked for my daughters' waves and curls, and for my own hair, too. It was the first time in a long while that I felt confident wearing my hair down with its natural texture. And I also felt confident about the way the products were made, with thoughtfully chosen ingredients and packaging to make them gentle on our hair, and our environment.
We'd been so happy with Ivy & Elder that, when I learned the brand was being sold, stepping in felt like a natural next chapter. I hoped to carry forward what already made Ivy & Elder special, while deepening its standards and long-term vision.
Where we are now.
Today, Ivy & Elder is built around a conscious, holistic approach so that caring for your hair feels connected to how you take care of the world around you. We consider the full lifecycle of every product, from ingredients and formulation to packaging, sourcing, and impact over time. Our focus is not only on creating clean, fragrance-free products that help you feel good about your hair, but on making choices that are gentle on the body and thoughtful toward the planet.
That original search still guides everything we do: celebrating natural waves, honoring real routines, and creating products that we feel good about using every day. — Vanessa
