A conversation with founder Sarah Hindsgaul on scalp care, lightweight formulas and why beautiful hair doesn't need a complicated routine.

After more than twenty years working with hair on set, hairstylist Sarah Hindsgaul knew exactly what she wanted from hair care and what she felt was missing.

Her approach begins at the scalp and follows a simple philosophy: fewer products, chosen well. Hindsgaul brings professional performance together with clean, lightweight formulas designed to nourish the hair without coating it or weighing it down.

To celebrate the arrival of Hindsgaul at Ara’kai, we spoke with Sarah about the philosophy behind the brand, the ingredients she believes make a difference and how to build a Hindsgaul routine.

Beautiful hair starts with the scalpHindsgaul approaches hair care with the same level of intention we often associate with skin care. What led you to create the brand, and what did you feel was missing from the way we were caring for our hair and scalp?

I think beautiful hair always starts with a healthy scalp. We are used to treating the skin on our faces with real intention, but we often forget the skin underneath our hair. When the scalp is clean and free from buildup, the roots feel lighter and the hair is much easier to style.

After more than twenty years of working with hair on set, I have learned that you do not need a complicated routine. You need a few products that each do their job extremely well. What I could not find was a line that combined real professional performance with clean, lightweight formulas, especially for fine hair. Many high-performance products could feel drying, stiff or heavy, while many beautiful natural formulas were too rich for finer strands.

I created Hindsgaul to fill that space: a simple, easy-to-use line that begins with scalp care, nurtures the hair without weighing it down and helps it hold shape while keeping movement. I also wanted the products to look beautiful and have a mild, comforting scent, so they simply feel good to use.

Less, but better

What is the philosophy behind Hindsgaul when it comes to healthy, beautiful hair? Are there any common hair care habits or misconceptions you would like people to rethink?

My philosophy is very much less is more, but the few things you use have to be right for your hair.

One misconception is that the softer and more slippery hair feels, the healthier it must be. That is not always true, especially for finer strands.

Heavy silicones and oils are not bad for everyone, but they are not beneficial for everyone either. A heavy silicone can act a little like a raincoat around the hair strand: it smooths the surface, but it can also leave fine hair coated, flat and harder to style. I like a little natural grip in the hair. It gives body, helps it hold its shape and still keeps movement.

I also do not think most people need to shampoo three times in one wash or layer ten products that may work against one another. It is better to understand your hair type and choose a few products that are genuinely right for it. Healthy, beautiful hair should feel clean, nurtured, lightweight and easy to style, not coated or overloaded.

Skincare thinking, applied to hair

When developing the Hindsgaul formulas, what was most important to you? Are there particular ingredients, technologies or principles behind the products that you believe really set them apart?

What was most important to me was that the formulas really worked while remaining very mild. I have sensitive skin and tend to break out or react to products, so I wanted a potent ingredient list without formulas that felt harsh. I also wanted the products to feel lighter than anything else I had used.

The hardest part was creating clean formulas that could genuinely nurture the hair without coating it or weighing it down. We began developing the line about five years ago, and even for my chemist, making clean hair care this lightweight was new territory.

It took time to find the right balance for fine strands: enough nourishment to leave the hair healthier and more manageable, but never flat, greasy or heavy.

We use skincare-inspired active ingredients and botanicals, including peptides, Nordic cotton and cloudberry. They have made my own hair feel healthier than ever, and I have seen them work beautifully on my clients too. The important part is that all of that nourishment comes without the heavy coating people often associate with conditioning products.

The principle behind the entire line is simple: fewer, highly effective products that give the hair what it needs in the lightest possible way.

Building the Hindsgaul routine

For someone discovering Hindsgaul for the first time, how should they build their routine? In what order should the products be applied, which products are designed to be used together and are there combinations you especially recommend?

For a first Hindsgaul routine, begin with the Salt Scalp Scrub once a week. It is a complete clarifying reset, removing excess oil, product and buildup so the scalp and hair feel clean and light.

Follow with the Hair Mask. It is the first mask I have used that nourishes my fine hair without making it flat or heavy, and I recommend it at least once a week.

Apply the Mousse to clean, wet hair, then air-dry or blow-dry. When I air-dry, it controls flyaways and helps the hair hold a soft wave or straighter shape. When blow-dried, it gives more lift, volume and hold. People with thicker or coarser hair can apply it when the hair is damp for extra control. Once dry, it does not feel crunchy or sticky.

Use the Finishing Cream on dry hair to smooth flyaways, add definition and texture, or create a clean updo. On thicker or curlier hair, it can also be used in wet hair as a light curl cream.

Use the Dry Shampoo Puff between washes when the roots feel oily or need more lift. I also like to apply a small amount before the oil appears, sometimes the night before, so it is already there to absorb it.

I use all five products together, but each can also be used alone or mixed with other lines. The order is simple: Salt Scalp Scrub, Hair Mask, Mousse in wet hair, Finishing Cream after drying and Dry Shampoo Puff between washes.

The one change Sarah recommends

If someone wanted to make just one change to the way they care for their hair, what would you recommend, and what difference could they expect to see over time?

If I could recommend one change, it would be to use a scalp scrub once a week.

Most people focus on the lengths of the hair, but the scalp is where the routine begins. Keeping it clear of buildup helps the roots stay fresher and lighter, gives the hair more natural lift and makes it easier to style.

It is a very simple step, but over time it can make the entire routine work better.

Discover Hindsgaul at Ara’kai