Haircare That Makes a Difference: Sustainability Meets Performance

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Haircare That Makes a Difference: Sustainable Beauty and Doing Business Differently with Kate Assaraf

When it comes to haircare, most people assume that sustainability means compromise. Plastic-free products are often associated with weak formulas or disappointing results. But Kate Assaraf, founder of Dip Haircare, is on a mission to prove otherwise. In her conversation on the Girls Night podcast, Kate shares her journey, her philosophy on product development, and how Dip is creating a community-driven brand that blends performance, sustainability, and heart.

From Art School to Entrepreneurship

Kate’s story begins in art school, where she found her people. Creative, unconventional, and a little bit weird. That environment taught her the value of finding community and embracing individuality, lessons she carried into building Dip.

Later, she ventured into more analytical studies, including math classes, which sharpened her problem solving skills. Looking back, Kate realized how those seemingly opposite worlds, creativity and analysis, gave her the foundation to start a brand that could stand out in the competitive beauty industry.

Why Performance Matters Most

Plastic-free haircare was important to Kate, but early products in the market didn’t deliver.

“You don’t get three chances with a customer,” she explained. “If it doesn’t work the first time, they’re not coming back.”

That’s why performance is Dip’s top priority. The bars don’t just match bottled salon products, they often outperform them. Customers frequently share “first shower” stories, surprised at how effective the shampoo and conditioner bars are right from the start.

Longevity That Saves Money

Sustainability isn’t just about reducing plastic. It’s also about creating products that last. Dip bars dramatically outlive bottled products:

• Conditioner bars last six to eight months (sometimes more).

• Shampoo bars are replaced just a few times a year.

• Customers save hundreds annually while cutting down plastic waste.

Longevity means less clutter, less money spent, and less environmental impact—true sustainability in action.

Community as the Core

Kate believes community is the lifeblood of Dip. From refill shop owners to small retailers, Dip thrives because of the relationships built around it.

• Retailer retreats: Dip organizes “Dip Trips,” where store owners from across the country gather to swap ideas, share struggles, and build lasting friendships.

• Counterculture energy: Kate loves the refill movement because it attracts people willing to go against the grain of consumerist culture. “You guys are like the business weirdos,” she said with pride.

• Shared struggle: Sustainability is challenging, but Kate views that difficulty as what unites the community. “We’re all together in the mud, struggling a little bit—but it’s a good struggle.”

The Myths of Sustainable Beauty

Kate debunked one of the biggest myths in the industry: that heavily advertised products must be the best.

“Just because you see it everywhere doesn’t mean it’s good. A lot of big brands rushed to market without creating products that actually perform.”

These rushed products lead to one time purchases, but not loyalty. Dip, on the other hand, enjoys long term customer relationships. Many who leave for cheaper options eventually return, admitting, 

“I’m sorry.. I tried it. I regret it.”

Fragrance: Why Smell Still Matters

Smell is one of the first things people notice when buying haircare. Dip uses high-quality, internationally recognized synthetic fragrances—a deliberate choice after Kate discovered essential oils can be inconsistent, short-lived, or contaminated with pesticides.

The result is products that smell incredible while remaining safe and effective, an often-overlooked part of the haircare experience.

What’s Next for Dip?

While Kate is excited about upcoming projects she can’t announce just yet, one of the biggest milestones has already been reached: salon acceptance.

“I can’t believe I made a bar shampoo and conditioner that salons have embraced,” she shared.

With salons placing reorders again and again, Dip is carving out credibility in the professional beauty world, something Kate considers her proudest achievement.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

Kate closed with advice for anyone looking to start a values-driven business:

• Define your version of success. Be clear on what it looks like, then work backwards.

• Obsess over the product. Let trusted people test it, tear it apart, and help refine it.

• Solve a real problem. If your product doesn’t make life better, it’s not worth pursuing.

“Keep working on it until it solves a problem for someone,” Kate said. “Because if it doesn’t solve a problem, it’s not really worth doing.”

Final Thoughts

Dip Haircare is more than just a beauty brand—it’s a movement built on performance, sustainability, and community. Kate Assaraf has proven that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for eco-consciousness, and that building something meaningful requires both grit and heart.

If you’ve ever doubted that sustainable haircare could actually work, Dip is here to change your mind, and your hair days, for good.

Support your community by visiting our store locator to find dip near you!