Actor Danielle Fishel, of Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World fame, just launched a natural haircare line so that everyone can get Topanga hair
Sorry Friends fans—“The Rachel” wasn’t the only 90s sitcom hair that caught everyone’s attention. Topanga on Boy Meets World also captivated with her thick, luscious tresses. And now actress and director Danielle Fishel is letting everyone in on the action with her new hair line, Be Free by Danielle Fishel. When she couldn’t find a clean hair-care line that met her standards, she created her own. Comprised of a shampoo, conditioner and scalp serum, it has all the essentials you need. Fishel gives us the scoop.
OSM: What were you surprised to learn during your search for a clean hair-care line?
DF: Fragrance and scent aren't mutually exclusive. I thought if I wanted my products to smell nice, they had to contain "fragrance," aka parfum. But the chemicals used to make most fragrances are allergens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins and carcinogens, and I knew I didn't want that. I was thrilled when I learned I could use natural oils to get a really clean, fresh smell without any of those chemicals.
OSM: Why did you try to find a clean hair line once you were pregnant?
DF: I realized every decision I made no longer only affected me. I cared about how much caffeine I consumed, I stopped taking super hot baths—why should the beauty products I put on my hair and skin be any different? Once I confronted what was actually in the products I was using, I knew I needed to make a change.
OSM: What were your rules when you were developing the line?
DF: I wanted it to be free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens and fragrance. I wanted the shampoo to lather, the conditioner to be silky, and for everything to smell nice.
OSM: What is next for Be Free? Do you plan to launch more products?
DF: We do but we're taking our time. I only want to put out products people want and need so I'm trying to collect as much feedback as I can from customers. But eventually I'd love to create a line for kids and maybe even pets as well!
OSM: Why did you feel that now was the right time to launch your own line?
DF: Why did you feel that now was the right time to launch your own line?
OSM: How did you come up with the name “Be Free”?
DF: The name came to me right away because the goal was to free myself—and others—from so many things: chemicals, worry and stress. At the same time, I also wanted to Be Free to look and feel my best. I wanted it all.
OSM: The serum is a true multitasker. What are your favorite ways to use it?
DF: The scalp refresh is absolutely amazing. I use it at least once a day, but usually twice a day, to prevent postpartum hair loss and as a dry shampoo replacement. It has peppermint in it, which gives a nice tingly feeling while cleaning your scalp of any buildup from other products. It dries quickly and gives a bit of nice volume without the stickiness or tackiness of dry shampoo.
OSM: Aside from being clean, what other values did you want the line to have?
DF: I wanted to keep production in the US and it had to be cruelty-free.
OSM: What are your secrets for getting Topanga-worthy hair?
DF: Don't wash it every day, only put conditioner on the middle to end of your hair (not the scalp), and keep your use of hairspray and dry shampoo to a minimum, or better yet, use the scalp refresh instead. Topanga hair has a lot of movement to it!