The Steam Bar is a new premium haircare brand that looks at what lies beneath, centring scalp care as the crucial route to healthy hair maintenance. The brand is the first to merge ‘skinification’ with the cultural ritual of hair steaming; a unique approach delivered through expertly formulated products for home use and an elevated salon experience that prioritises hair health.
The scalp is the foundation for healthy hair growth, yet it is often overlooked in our hair care routine. Many of us focus solely on our hair strands, while forgetting that a healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair. The Art Of Steaming, a key ritual for people of colour for many generations and centuries, has been an effective way to nourish and hydrate natural, curly, afro, and textured hair that is often prone to dryness. Providing moisture from the inside out, steaming helps detox the scalp, hydrate and to define curl patterns, making it easier to style and manage.
Prior to creating The Steam Bar, founder Judy Koloko spent decades managing some of the industries most sought-after artists and models across fashion and beauty.
However the British born Nigerian noticed that the industry was lacking in its offerings for providing solutions based hair care products for people of colour that addressed the levels of damage and stress she knew people with her hair texture experienced.
As a long-term user of steaming services that helped restore healthy growth to her own hair, Judy wanted to pioneer change by elevating a common practice that celebrates the health of our crown. By crafting a premium product line and salon space, Judy has created an innovative and disruptive experience to fill a significant gap in the market for natural and textured hair.
“As a successful Woman of Colour with an extensive background in fashion and beauty, I founded The STEAM BAR – a premium haircare brand focusing on exceptional scalp and haircare services in a sophisticated setting, using unparalleled products. Through my experiences, I have noticed a gap in the market for premium hair products and elevated destinations for my community. Thus, I have made it my mission to create a luxurious and inclusive space for all.” – Judy Koloko, Founder of The Steam Bar
Available at Selfridges, The Steam Bar range consists of vegan and cruelty-free products that combine science backed active and essential natural ingredients to protect and nourish natural and textured hair.
As the scalp is essentially skin, each product contains formulations traditionally found within facial care to exfoliate, protect, nourish and hydrate resulting in maximum scalp and hair health.
Taking the brand to another level, The Steam Bar worked closely with British Award-Winning perfumer Azzi Glasser to develop a bespoke scent that nods to keynotes with the African continent. The signature scent that captures the luxurious essence of the brand, blends top notes of Orris, Iris Flower and Amber Crystals with base wood notes and a touch of Earthy Musk for an everlasting luxury aroma.
Spring 2024 will see The Steam Bar launch The Sanctuary at Selfridges, and will be the first dedicated professional hair salon within a European department store. The Sanctuary will offer a first class salon experience providing their Signature Steam alongside styling services for those with naturally curly and textured hair types and a Wig Laundry service for wig wearers wanting to revamp and refresh their units.
Champions of steaming, The Steam Bar will be hosted by the team of “Steam Queens” trichologists – trained hair experts that put the health of your scalp first.
A luxurious and welcoming community space, The Sanctuary provides a space where guests can feel seen, heard and supported.
The Scalp Shampoo, £30
The first step in The Steam Bar haircare routine, this powerful Scalp Shampoo effectively cleanses the hair and hydrates the scalp with nourishing and conditioning active ingredients, resulting in strong, healthy, and happy hair. It is formulated with ingredients such as baobab seed extract, vitamin E, protein, and citric acid to moisturise and hydrate from root to tip.
The Scalp Saviour Mask, £40
Exfoliating, balancing and hydrating for natural and textured hair. The jewel in our crown, and now yours. The Steam Bar’s Scalp Saviour Mask is an exfoliating, balancing and hydrating mask for natural and textured hair. It contains wondrous ingredients including shea butter, carrot seed oil, avocado oil, and castor seed oil to replenish the scalp and nurture strands.
The Super Scalp Conditioner, £30
The 360 approach to hair care is nourishing from scalp to tip, and the Super Conditioner takes care of the lengths of your locks. The Steam Bar’s Super Conditioner is a protective and nourishing conditioning treatment infused with powerful active skincare ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid, to hydrate and improve your scalp’s moisture and overall condition. This Revitalise damaged hair and soothe your scalp in one wash.
The Scalp Serum, £44
We all know that great-feeling hair begins at the root. Healthy scalp = healthier hair. This lightweight serum is daily TLC for your scalp to hydrate, nourish and balance your scalp for the strongest environment for your crown to thrive. This all-in- one serum contains key ingredients that supports the microbiome and also helps to relieves itching and irritated scalps. It is expertly formulated with hydrating gems such as glycerin, and Brazilian pepper tree extract known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties for a balanced and healthy scalp.
Shop The Steam Bar at thesteambar.com
