CEREMONIA

Ceremonia hair care was founded by Babba Rivera, an award-winning Swedish entrepreneur with Latin roots. Born to Chilean parents, raised in Sweden, and now living in New York with her husband and four children, her diverse background is a great source of inspiration for the brand, putting Latin culture on the global beauty map.

 

What was the inspiration for a hair care range?

Ceremonia was born out of my desire to do something for my hair and protect the environment at the same time. After a decade of straightening and bleaching my hair, using tons of styling products to “tame” my hair instead of caring for it, I was done. I realized that my hair was saturated with toxic ingredients and that my routine was focused on a styling approach rather than on hair wellness and longevity. I wanted to create a new approach to care that focuses on hair wellness and is full of nutrients from nature.

 

Was there a eureka moment?

I grew up as the daughter of a Chilean hairdresser, and by revitalizing my own damaged hair, I not only rediscovered my natural beauty but also my Latin American roots. I realized that I had known the answers all along: I grew up in a family that had many beauty rituals that used natural ingredients from Latin America. This was the inspiration for Ceremonia – a clean hair care brand based on natural ingredients from Latin America.

 

What is Ceremonia's beauty philosophy?

I want to share the richness of Latin American culture with the world. Beauty and especially high-quality hair products have long been associated exclusively with French brands. I think it's time the world got to know some of the care rituals that come from Latin American culture and are full of nutrients for the scalp and hair.

 

What makes the line so special?

What really sets Ceremonia apart is the unique combination of using approximately 95% natural ingredients in each formula while also delivering real results and many clinically proven results. In addition, the brand offers a fun exploration of culture, ingredients and tradition. I hope that Ceremonia brings joy, because we all have to wash our hair, so why not turn that moment into a moment of well-being and time for yourself?

How did the brand name come about?

Ceremonia means ceremony in Spanish and embodies exactly what I wanted to create in the hair sector. I wanted to inspire people to turn a routine into a ritual and to see hair care as a form of self-care – a ceremony for yourself. That's why I love the products so much, because they really inspire me to enjoy my hair care instead of dreading it. They transform my bathroom into a spa and help me to take a moment for myself in my daily routine. Hair care instead of hair styling.

What do the ingredients do?

Guava: moisturizes the hair; antioxidants neutralize free radicals and protect the hair from damage, discoloration and harmful UV rays. Contained in our Guava Leave-In Conditioner, Guava Rescue Spray, Mascarilla de Guava, Guava Protect & Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, and Guava Beach Waves.

Passion Fruit: Helps moisturize dry scalp and strands, reducing frizz and adding shine. Found in Aceite de Moska, Papaya Scalp Scrub, Mascarilla de Babassu, Mascarilla de Guava, Pequi Curl Activator, and Acai Style Refresher.

Papaya: Enzymes remove dead skin cells and impurities that can clog pores and cause buildup. Contained in our Papaya Scalp Scrub.

Aloe Vera: Promotes hair growth and strengthens hair, making it supple and shiny. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and soothes the scalp, relieving irritation. Contained in our Aceite de Moska, Oil Mist Con Aloe Vera, Guava Leave-In Conditioner, Papaya Scalp Scrub, Pequi Styling Gel.

Pequi: conditions and nourishes hair to reduce frizz and restore vitality. Contained in Pequi Styling Gel, Pequi Curl Activator, Oil Mist Con Aloe Vera, Mascarilla de Babassu.

 

Is there a USP in production?

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do, ensuring that our products are not only good for you and your hair, but also for Mother Nature – the source of everything we do. We are proud to be Plastic Negative Certified, to work with at least 95% natural ingredients in every formula, to be carbon neutral and to avoid toxic ingredients. Furthermore, ingredient transparency is very important to us. That's why we list every single ingredient, even the blend of our perfume, which is not common in the beauty industry. For a long time, perfume was a beauty industry loophole that allowed companies to hide toxic ingredients because there is no regulation requiring companies to disclose what is in their perfumes. At Ceremonia, we believe in clean and safe sensorial products. That's why our formulas never contain more than 1% perfume and we're not afraid to publish the full ingredients list. Customers have the right to know what's going on with their bodies.

 

The bestsellers?

Our #1 bestseller is the Heritage Scalp Remedy Oil “Aceite de Moska” – it was our very first product and was only given away to family and friends. It has a special place in my heart as the recipe was actually passed down through generations of our family.

We are generally known for our scalp products and the Guava collection, and the most popular products are the Papaya Scalp Scrub and the Guava Leave-In Conditioner. The Papaya Scalp Scrub is an exfoliating shampoo treatment with papaya enzymes and Bolivian pink salt that revitalizes the hair and removes impurities and buildup. It detoxifies the hair and scalp without harsh ingredients.

If you had to choose, which is you “desert island” product?

I never leave home without the Guava Rescue Spray, it is so great for reviving your hair! Not only has it been proven to protect your hair from sun and heat damage, but with its delicious guava scent, it is the perfect refreshment and an excellent primer for your hair, making it easier to comb and shiny without weighing it down.

Your personal self-care routine?

My favorite ritual is in the evening, when the kids are asleep and I finally have a moment to myself in the bathroom. I love to apply our Aceite de Moska, a pre-shampoo oil that balances the scalp, accelerates hair growth and gives hair shine and strength. I love this little miracle oil so much! After applying the oil generously to dry hair, I treat myself to a relaxing scalp massage with the Ceremonia Scalp Masajeador. Then I apply Tata Harper's green mask and sit in the bathtub with a book while the mask and oil do their work. Afterwards, I wash off the mask and finally the scalp oil with our Papaya Scalp Scrub and Guava Hair Mask. I do this ritual once a week and it feels like a spa moment at home, without breaking the budget or having to leave the house. It's just a small upgrade to the daily shower.

And finally, what was your last beauty discovery?

Eyecare! I was late on this train, but now I'm an avid user of eye creams and eye patches.

 

 

Thank you for the interview!