What is the philosophy behind the brand?
The essential matters. By focusing on what is essential Less is More combines customers’ needs with the concerns of the world. Biologically exquisite, naturally pure and completely native.
Functionally highly effective, professionally unique and progressive in all aspects. Less is More is always less and at the same time always more. Socially fair, future-oriented, clean and consistently transparent. Beautiful, aesthetic, consciously natural and fully gentle.
Why did you start Less is More? What was your motivation?
It was the great AHA-experience when I first examined the cosmetic products in Hannes' Salon not as a consumer, but as a chemist 13 years ago. This line, like so many other 'green' salon brands, has turned out to be a typical greenwashing line, marketed with essential oils and pure nature, inside lots of petroleum-based raw materials, poorly biodegradable conditioner active ingredients that pollute our waters, preservatives with high allergy potential, etc.
I continued my research then and did not find a salon line that corresponded to their green claims and if it did, the line was functionally and aesthetically completely unattractive. As a result, Hannes and I realised our vision of an honest, healthy, environmentally friendly, functional salon line in organic quality with Less is More.
Could you tell us something about your passion in making new formulations?
Creating new products is one of the tasks I enjoy the most and what I really burn for. It’s a long way from the idea to finally see the product in the shops and salons, so patience is key. Ideas can literally arise from everywhere: from customer’s feedback, new ingredients on the market or they come from within.
The process of creating a new product includes two phases: the desk work and the ’from lab to production’- phase. First there needs to be done a lot of research like checking the framework conditions (legal requirements, organic certification, know-how, etc.), carrying out a detailed ingredients research (efficacy studies, costs, health aspects, environmental performance, etc) and conception of the product (formulation, scent, effect & texture, etc).
Fun fact:
When I am wearing my big headphones and the glass door is closed, my employees exactly know, I’m now in that stage of creating and thinking about something new. In the second phase the formulation will be developed and extensively tested in the lab and of course in real life. After that the preparation for production and sales starts.
How and why did you develop the Cajeput Shampoo & Conditioner?
As all of our products, the formulations for the Cajeput Pure Balance Shampoo and Conditioner are intended to serve the health of skin and hair, sensual enjoyment, as well as purposeful hair care and styling aesthetics.
The Cajeput Shampoo and Conditioner were one of the first ever developed products of Less is More. The goal was to offer a kind of allrounder product, that can be used by every hair type and adds moisture and nice healthy shine to the hair. As it is also our mildest line, we also call it ’family line’ as it is also suitable for small children and even babies (from 6 months), so every family member can use it.
Is there a specific essential oil benefit of the cajeput line?
Aromatherapy and the use of natural, organic essential oils are important components of Less is
More products. The targeted use of essential oils optimises the functionality of Less is More
products and refines their efficiency in terms of well-being.
As the name says - in the Cajeput Pure Balance line the Cajeput essential oil is the main
ingredient in the essential oil mix. Essential oils always have an effect on the psyche and body.
Cajeput has a balancing, clarifying effect and is very mild. Additionally, it has a stimulating
effect on hair growth and tones the scalp.
Less is More Cajeput Pure Balance Shampoo - gentle, balancing sulphate-free formula which gives your hair a healthy shine and protects against moisture loss. For all hair types.
Less is More Cajeput Pure Balance Conditioner - bio-active care complex which smooths the surface of the hair, locks in moisture and shine, improves combability and makes every hair type wonderfully smooth, without weighing it down.
All Less is More Shampoos and Conditioners are concentrated. Use an almond size amount of product for short to medium length hair, a walnut size for long hair.
Co-founders : Dr. Doris Brandhuber, Chemist & Aromatherapist and Hannes Trummer, Hairstylist & Trainer.
