Today, we’d like to introduce you to Nina Fitzgerald. Nina was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Chelle Neff.
Nina, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hello, my name is Nina Fitzgerald and I am the founder and creator of ONLY by Nina Fitzgerald. My skin has always been sensitive to certain products and ingredients and it was becoming increasingly difficult to find something that worked without having to buy into a whole line. Plus, I didn’t like having to always make sure that my shampoo or conditioner wouldn’t sit on my face, due to an allergy. It took about three years for the formulation to be just right (all while going through two pregnancies) and my first product, the conditioner officially launched in 2018. Since 2018 I’ve introduced four more products to the line, with each product having the ability to be used on the skin and the hair.
ONLY is a product that is formulated for the finest of hair to the thickest of hair and it works because all hair wants to balance at the same pH and all hair just wants to be plumped up with more water. Do you have fine hair and not like using conditioner because it makes your hair too heavy? Do you have thick hair and products just get lost and don’t have enough oomph? At ONLY there aren’t any miracle ingredients or tag lines, we just use the basic ingredients to help plump your hair up with more water to keep your hair and skin looking healthy. Not only are we gender neutral, race neutral and age neutral, we are truly the first haircare line that acts as skincare.
I created a line, a beautiful, simple, and creative line of beauty products in my kitchen that are safe enough from birth to those with complicated immune systems to be used head to toe. No other line touts a whole line where every product is below 10 ingredients and safe for premature babies and for those going through chemotherapy. What the world doesn’t see is that beauty isn’t just when we feel our best, beauty should also be expressed when we feel small or compromised, when we are told that we don’t fit in. I speak up for those that don’t have that voice to remind them that beauty can be simple because that soul that exists on the inside hasn’t ever changed even though the outside might. Being a stylist I come into contact with people with compromised skin and hair, that don’t even know what healthy hair feels like and never felt beautiful with their own hair, and ONLY products help to show people that they don’t need anything special and that healthy hair and skin is always attainable.
Please tell us more about your brand, ONLY by Nina Fitzgerald – what else should we know?
My business is woman owned and led and we stand a part from all of the other beauty brands because of our simplicity (less than 10 ingredients in each product) and that our products are meant for anyone with skin. The beauty industry is the most segregated business, breaking people up by skin or hair color, fine or curly hair and age. Sometimes it is hard for someone to even know where they fit! We are most proud that we don’t separate and are inclusive, no matter who you are.
As you know, we’re big fans of Chelle Neff and Urban Betty we know you’ve worked with them quite a bit as well. We’d love to hear about your experience working with Chelle Neff.
I first started working for Chelle almost 10 years ago and I knew right when I saw the look of the salon that I wanted to work there everyone looked and acted like friends, that’s the atmosphere I wanted to work in. I worked under Chelle for over a year as an apprentice, and since then not only is she one of my most inspirational mentors, she’s also one of my closest friends. The quality that I love about a Chelle the most is her drive, she initiates and has such a strong leadership to achieve what no one else has. She always puts herself out there and doesn’t stop until she manifests exactly what she set out to do. Chelle is also kind and humble, something not every leader has. She always wants everyone to achieve exactly what she has done and she shows you the steps to get there.
Urban Betty is a direct reflection of Chelle’s character, there is always growth, excellent communication and a coming together of all minds to see us into the future. We have a very close knit teamwork where everyone works together on projects to help one another out.
Website: www.onlybynina.com
Instagram: @onlybyninafitzgerald
Facebook: ONLY by Nina Fitzgerald
