OCOA Beauty: A Sisterhood of Curls, Culture, and Confidence

Redefining Beauty, One Curl at a Time

For generations, curly-haired Latinas have faced a deep-rooted stigma—one that labels their natural hair as pelo malo (bad hair). It’s a narrative that has pressured many into straightening, suppressing, and ultimately, rejecting their natural curls.

But Dominican-born sisters Cory and Nicol are flipping the script. With OCOA Beauty, they’re reclaiming the beauty of curls, creating high-performance haircare that’s as rich in culture as it is in clean, effective ingredients.

Putting An End to Hair Shame

Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Cory and Nicol were immersed in a culture that celebrated beauty, yet often looked down on natural curls. Like many others, they spent years straightening their hair to fit in. But as they grew up, so did their desire to embrace their authentic selves (and hair types). Their curl journey led them to the realization that their natural hair wasn’t something to be fixed—it was something to be nurtured.

This revelation, coupled with the beauty of Ocoa—an area in the Dominican Republic that holds deep family ties—inspired them to create a brand that would empower women to wear their curls with pride.

Saying NO to Hair Assimilation

Hair assimilation is the societal pressure to conform to beauty norms that diminish the natural beauty of curls, particularly within Latino communities. OCOA was born to challenge this outdated mindset. Their mission? To help women embrace their authentic hair textures and find joy in their natural beauty. Now that's a vision we can get behind.

Each OCOA product is designed with this in mind, focusing on hydration, definition, and scalp health. No heavy, greasy formulas. No crunchy curls. Just clean, high-performance ingredients that let curls thrive.

A Tribute to Dominican Beauty

Dominican culture is at the heart of OCOA’s ingredient philosophy. The sisters infused their formulas with nourishing elements from their homeland—ones that have been used for generations in beauty rituals:

• Mango butter for deep hydration

• Hibiscus flower extract to promote hair growth and shine

• Marula oil to strengthen and protect

• Apple extract for scalp balance and vitality

Each ingredient not only delivers results but also tells a story—a story of resilience, heritage, and the power of embracing where you come from.

Breaking Barriers As Latina Founders

Building a haircare brand that truly caters to the needs of curly-haired Latina women came with challenges. The beauty industry has historically overlooked their needs, making representation and accessibility a struggle. From formulating lightweight-yet-effective products to navigating the lack of funding for Latina entrepreneurs, Cory and Nicol had to push through barriers. Their mission to uplift their community kept them going.

Designed for Every Curl Type

Curly hair is beautifully diverse, and OCOA ensures their products cater to all curl patterns. Whether you have loose waves or tight coils, their hydrating and defining formulas are designed to work with your natural texture—not against it.

They also prioritize community feedback, ensuring their formulations solve real curly hair struggles, from frizz control to moisture retention.

A Movement Rooted in Sisterhood

OCOA is a love letter to every curly-haired woman who has ever been told her hair was "too much."

It’s a reminder that beauty isn't about fitting in—it's about celebrating who you are. The sisters built OCOA for themselves, their daughters, and every woman ready to reclaim her curls.

As they put it: "Our curl journey showed us that when you treat curls well, a natural pattern of beauty lives free. As we were all #borntobe."

OCOA is more than just haircare—it’s an invitation to embrace your roots, honor your heritage, and wear your curls with pride.