There’s a side of running a product-based business that people don’t really talk about: what happens to the “not quite right” products.
The returns.
The slightly dented bottles.
The batches didn’t come out exactly how we planned.
The pumps that just won’t cooperate.
The slightly dented bottles.
The batches didn’t come out exactly how we planned.
The pumps that just won’t cooperate.
A lot of brands won’t say it out loud, but the reality is… a lot of that ends up in the trash.
And that’s never sat right with me.
At Good Ass Hair Day, we’ve always believed that “good” shouldn’t stop at the product itself. It should extend to how we operate, how we make decisions, and what we do when things aren’t perfect.
Because here’s the thing, “imperfect” doesn’t mean unusable.
A bottle with a small cosmetic flaw still works.
An unopened return is still valuable.
A product that didn’t meet our internal standards could still make someone’s day.
An unopened return is still valuable.
A product that didn’t meet our internal standards could still make someone’s day.
So instead of tossing those items, we chose early on to donate them.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve been able to send products to local shelters, community organizations, and even areas impacted by natural disasters. Places where something as simple as dry shampoo isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s something that helps people feel clean, confident, and a little more like themselves during tough moments.
Because when access to a full shower isn’t always guaranteed, something small can go a long way.
And to be honest, this isn’t something we’ve talked about much.
Not because we’re trying to hide it, but because it never felt like something to “market.” It just felt like the right thing to do.
But I also think it’s important to be transparent about what brands are doing behind the scenes, especially when it comes to waste.
Sustainability isn’t just about refill pouches and ingredient lists (although those matter too). It’s also about what happens to the products that don’t get sold.
We’re not perfect. We’re still learning, still growing, still figuring things out as we go.
But one thing we’re really proud of is this:
We don’t believe in throwing away something that could still serve a purpose.
We don’t believe in throwing away something that could still serve a purpose.
If there’s an opportunity to give it a second life, we’re taking it.
- Katelynn
