AFTER STRUGGLING to find haircare products that catered to the needs of his family’s curls, mixed-race father-of-four Bradley Lincoln decided to launch his own.

FYC (For Your Curls) is a four-piece range that features a shampoo, conditioner, refresh and detangle spray, and leave in conditioner. Each product is packed with shea butter, olive oil, pro vitamin B5, and organic aloe vera to hydrate, define and add shine.

The products are also vegan-friendly and contain no silicones, sulfates or parabens.

We caught up with Bradley, whose work involves the Mix-d: Project – a research and resource initiative that explores what it means to be mixed-race and British – and his business partner Robert Binns to find out more about FYC and their journey into starting their own business.

Tell me more about what inspired you to start FYC? 

Bradley: I wanted to solve a genuine problem which I and other close friends and family had experienced. We are all mixed-raced, and I was finding that products were either for Afro hair or European hair, or many were laden with heavy ingredients. I wanted a product range that worked, and is naturally derived and made especially for different hair textures. I also wanted to feel represented in the market place, and for me, and different hair types, to have a place. 

We wanted to make a good quality product at a good price without any harmful chemicals. We wanted to create a product which was good for boy and girls. We wanted to use our insights as parents and find a solution to common hair issues. We wanted to manufacture in the UK and to create a brand which people would feel proud to use. 

Robert: I’m the father of a mixed-race daughter, and I’ve seen so many people go through life not loving their hair, or thinking that it’s a problem. I just didn’t want that for her. For me, this was a big part of me wanting to be involved with FYC – I wanted to create something that helped her to love her hair… and eventually manage it herself! We wanted to celebrate the hair and create an easy-management system for it. 

How did the Mix:d Project factor into the creation of FYC?

Bradley: The Mix-d: Project gave me access and unique insights to the needs of an untapped audience group. I learnt that hair was an important part of a person’s identity and in some cases, it was political.

So when I spoke to the community about their hair and what issues they were coming up against, I learnt that some existing products were too heavy and some were too drying for certain types of mixed hair. I learnt that there was a space in the mainstream for a credible brand which could sit between existing mono-heritage brands. 

“I’m not sure people took me seriously at first”

Bradley Lincoln

The audience know more about what they want than we ever will do, so we talk to them we ask them and we work with them to create simple solutions, that work specifically for them.

Who is FYC for?

Robert: FYC is ideal for all types of mixed and curly hair. All of the products are made with naturally derived ingredients that nourish and hydrate curls, with shea butter, organic aloe vera, olive oil and argan oil. Even though it was formulated specifically for mixed hair, we found quite quickly that lots of curls love it! 

Brad: The range has been made to be played with! We know that all curls are different – even in one family, everyone can have a different texture – so we’ve made FYC to create the moisture level that’s right for you and your hair. You can mix the products together and layer them up as your hair desires. So, while FYC was created for mixed-race textured hair, it’s great for most curl types. 

Did you have a background in hair/cosmetics before FYC? How challenging was it to enter the industry and start your own business?

Brad: When this journey first started, it took time to learn about chemical formulations but it helped me to understand the business. I’m not sure people took me seriously at first. However, as I began to test samples and get positive feedback, people started to take it seriously. Doing it alone, at the beginning, was challenging but finding the right business partners made all the difference. 

Staying focussed on the big picture was absolutely necessary during difficult times. 

“Consumers are much more conscious about who makes their products and where their hard-earned cash is going”

Robert Binns

Robert: Amazingly, neither of us have a background in cosmetics, but we are both curious. I’m an experienced entrepreneur with a number of business, so aside from seeing the potential for the product, I could see the potential for the business. Our fellow business partner, Mike [Peters], is very prolific in this area, and conveniently was his awarded an MBE for his services to the cosmetics manufacturing industry, so he was the obvious choice for us to get the product produced to a high standard.  

What’s been most rewarding about the journey so far?

Robert: Watching the first products come off the production line, then making the first sale, and now seeing all of the pictures come in from people who have bought the range and are loving it. 

Brad: For me, it’s been creating a formulation which works and a brand which people like using. The positive feedback has been amazing, and being able to share the journey with the team, and my family who have been there through the whole thing. 

There’s been a real appetite this year to promote and support black owned businesses. How do you feel about this and how has it impacted your own?

Brad: I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration and working with people who have a specialist knowledge. In the end, all consumers benefit from a diverse supply chain and more bespoke product ranges – it’s a good thing. 

Robert: There definitely seems to be stand-out support for black owned businesses this year. Consumers are much more conscious about who makes their products and where their hard-earned cash is going. I can’t say that we’ve seen an increase, because we’re brand new and have nothing to compare it against, but it’s certainly a positive step in the right direction. 

What are your top three haircare tips?

1. Get to know your own hair and what it needs.
2. Try layering your products and using different application methods to create different looks.
3. Use less and play more!