With how crazy my schedule has been in the last few months, it always makes me so happy when I get the chance to sit and catch up with some of my favorite women.
Between my schedule and my girl Jen Atkin‘s hectic schedule, it meant the world to me that she was able to swing by CINCStudios, hang out for a while, work some and catch up! After giving me a mini-makeover (hellooo, new hair!) I got to pick her brain and interview her for my Girl Boss Files series!
If you guys don’t know who Jen Atkin is, then you probably have seen or know of her amazing brand: OUAI. I’ve been an enormous fan of OUAI products since they launched and became an even bigger fan of Jen as I got to watch her brand (and herself) grow, evolve and do even more amazing things! She’s an amazing entrepreneur, one of the best hairstylists out there, so real and down to earth, the sweetest and one of the most genuine people I know.
Keep scrolling to read her exclusive Girl Boss File:
Q: What was your proudest moment of 2018 and why?
A: Being asked to speak at the Sephora Store Leadership Conference was a very big moment for me. As founder of OUAI, we were the first hair care brand to speak at SSLC!
Q: For someone starting their own business, what are 3 things that you’ve learned that you would like to pay forward?
A: Be as authentic as you can be because that’s what people crave now.
Find a mentor. Find a woman who you really respect and don’t be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS.
Don’t let the Internet rush you. Break the normal rules. Stay true to your vision. Fight for the respect you deserve. Treat everyone equally important. Collaborate, don’t compete.
Be humble, work hard, and don’t try to compete with anyone else. There’s enough to go around for all of us to be successful. Don’t expect success overnight. It takes years of hard work to start to build a long-standing career.
Q: What were the hardest growing pains in building a business/creating a brand?
A: I think explaining a new way of thinking as a business. I’m always thinking of new ways to innovate the beauty industry while also remaining authentic and creative.
Q: How do you maintain your drive and vision?
A: I believe a lot in positive thinking leads to positive actions and results. I want to create products and campaigns that make people’s lives better. As I’m promoting my work, I’m also trying to lead and start conversations about, “What I can do for other people? What I can create that will make people’s lives better?” That’s what business should be about, and I think successful businesses understand that.
Q: I love that you show all aspects of your life on social media. The real version, the at-home version, the work mode version, the boss/friend version…How do you find time to manage to do it all?
A: Creating a social presence came really naturally to me. I’m an over-sharer so it’s fun and easy for me to use Instagram and Snapchat.
Q: You are always hustling and you hustle with a smile! Do you have a mantra or work motto that you live by?
A: I always stay true to what I believe and try to say YES instead of NO.
Q: I love that you empower all the women around you and you’re always so down to earth. Who are some influential women that you like to surround yourself with?
A: I’m lucky to have had such strong women who are creating amazing products and building epic brands: the Kardashian/Jenners, Jessica Alba, Emily Weiss, Katherine Power, Anastasia, Charlotte Tilbury, Huda, and Mona Kattan, to name a few.
Q: You’re so vocal about things that you care about and things that matter. What kind of changes in the industry/world do you want to see happen for the future?
A: I would stop making the conversation in beauty just about women being pretty and start celebrating the spirit and power of being a woman. We are changing the game and it’s amazing to watch.
Q: Lastly, how do you work through difficult times? What’s the recipe to power through and keep going?
A: I try to take Saturdays & Sundays off work now. Having that time to recharge has become essential to me working through the busy seasons and long workdays. Spending more time with my husband, family, and friends has been essential in keeping me sane and reminding me why I love what I do.
PS: If you’re in LA this Saturday the 15th, be sure to swing by the Century City Nordstrom Saavy Department for a chance to meet me, Jen Atkin and Whitney Port as we have a Girl Boss panel and I present the Chriselle Lim Collection! To read more info & RSVP, click HERE!
PSS: Jen was also a guest star on my Facebook series called ‘Let’s Get Chic Faced!’ If you haven’t already- CLICK HERE to check out what happens when I let Jen give me a surprise hair transformation on camera!
What do YOU think?
101 responses to “The Girl Boss Files // Jen Atkin”
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Love Ouai and Jenn! My biggest problem is flat, lifeless hair with no volume—soo hard to style! I also have a lot of baby hairs since my hair is so thin.
My biggest hair concern is completely flat hair that lacks volume! Love Ouai products – smells ahmazing 🙂
I just hope I am able to surround myself with such strong and inspirational women one day! You both are such huge inspirations.
My hair is so fine and it doesn’t hold on to style very well and has just nothing going on. It’s just frizzy and thin!
Biggest hair problem is no volume! Tried Living Proof line on volume and Sebastian shampoo for volume – and still no poof!!
Hi Chriselle! My biggest hair concern is frizziness, which makes it hard to embrace my hair’s natural form (wavy/curly) as it has a mind of it’s own! Please help! 😓 thank you!
Xoxo,
Laura
My hair is dry and I’m losing my hair! The small bald spots make me very self conscious.
Thanks for keep updating the girl boss series Chriselle. I always have found great inspiration reading your interviews with empowering women throughout the series. As a young female professional who’s learning my way through the business world, these role models, and yourself, have given me lots of hopes & motivation to be successful in my own way and to be myself no matter what the society pressures me to be.
For the giveaway, my biggest hair problem now are hair loss and hair frizz. I have very coarse hair.
I loved reading Jen’s advice. I’m a true believer that surrounding yourself with inspiring and strong women empowers you in exchange!
Now for the giveaway… my biggest concern is damaged ends! I recently cut a lot of my long hair because of multiple breakage, and while I’m growing it I want to avoid split ends at all costs! #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
Hii!! Send us your first + last name along with current shipping address so that we can send you the rose oil! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
Great post, I am inspired by the smart women who have have strong independent.
The wiggins hair could follow your blog, we are both focoused on the female beauty.
https://www.wigginshair.com
Great post . I’m one of your few male regular readers . I admire strong independent women and this blog and this post are great examples of that . Thanks
Jandrew
Dress The Part
http://www.jandrewspeaks.com
I honestly love to see women supporting women! So inspiring to see two smart women who have changed this industry to work together and share their knowledge!
Keep up the great work Cinc Team!!
Love this post so inspiring! I have full wavy hair. My problem is that it is so thick and full that I don’t want to wash it too often, because it get way frizzed out. So every am I brush lightly to not disrupt the waves, add light product and go. Hard to find a good shampoos that detangles with not a lot of buildup. Thanks!
I get a lot of product build up in my hair sometimes and deal with dry flaky scalp, which makes me feel self-conscious, so I’m unable to pull my hair back into tight buns or ponytails because I don’t want people to see white flakes against my dark brown hair. I had a quick question about the giveaway rules, it says the giveaway ends on 9/9/18, but I’m sure that’s a typo, just curious when this officially ends. Love that you featured one of my inspirations and role models, Jen Atkin.
My biggest hair concern is that one day after washing it, it gets super oily! I live for dry shampoo!
I have hair that comes to my shoulders to that awkward length so my ends have been frizzy/messy. I also want more volume to my hair! #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
Getting dry and dead ends from heat products such as hair curlers and hair dryers and oily scalp from not washing everyday in pursuit of slowing down the process of hair damage from the above heat products.
My biggest hair concern is volume. I have straight Asian hair and it’s always super flat.
My biggest concern is my damaged hair. I’m Chinese so I have very dark black hair. It’s not easy to dye my hair, once the color is on it will fade out in no time. If I want any lighter color I had to bleach my hair in order to achieve the color I want. So even though I have spent money on a lot hair products, but my hair is still damaged. And the colouring and bleaching also caused my hair to be really dry. Another concern I have about my hair is that it’s very dull and flat on my sculp. It doesn’t look like it has volume, this makes it hard to style sometimes. I wish I could try some of the quai products to make my hair healthier and easy to style. Thank you 🙂
Hi Chriselle!
My biggest hair concern is keeping my hair healthy and decrease split ends and breaks while I grow my hair out. I’ve had bobs and mid length hair for so long that this past year I decided I was going to leave it long once again. Never had issues with unhealthy or dry hair (was aware and always thankful for that), but it seems that times have changed and this hair needs a little extra care!
My biggest hair concern is the texture and blow drying! I have really thick hair and blow drying it seems to take forever. I can’t ever seem to get it all the way dry and when I do my hair has a little bit of a grit to it and no volume. I have tried various products along the way but nothing seems to help without making my hair too oily in the process.
My biggest hair problem is my oily hair. I can see the oil after one day of not washing my hair. I try dry shampoo but it hurt never looks the same.
My biggest hair issues are volume and oiliness!
Living with Lupus, I deal with a lot of hair issues caused by my illness and treatments. I have wavy/curly hair that used to be really thick. Ever since my diagnosis, my hair has been getting thinner and thinner. The medication I take makes my hair fall in large amounts and it lacks some shine & moisture. My scalp is more visible than ever and I tend to keep my hair length short to give the illusion of thick hair. My thinning and brittle hair is a big insecurity for me, and it is something I am going to deal with for the rest of my life. On the bright side, after some intense chemo treatments, my hair came by with more defined curls (but they do have a mind of their own and sometimes they’re perfect and other days they’re all over the place)!
I have the most unruly wavy hair ever. I never know what to expect from it on the daily basis. I just really need something to help control it and to give it life!🔥
I started using Ouai products a little over a year ago. My very best friend gave me some of the deep conditioner and I really saw a difference right away. My biggest issues are dry and frizzy hair. I have fine, curly hair and I like having it long and wild, but in LA, it gets super unhappy. I love what Jen is about. She’s someone who inspires me to not give up (which is easy to do in this town!)
I have a lot of hair, and it’s thick and frizzy, that’s neither straight or wavy. I also have to wash my hair everyday, otherwise I feel icky cuz my hair gets oily! #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
I definitely struggle with flat lifeless hair!
Hey Kaitlyn! Send us your first + last name along with your current shipping address so we can send you the volumizing hair spray! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
I always struggle with getting volume in my hair 😭 Thank goodness for texturizing sprays! 🙏🏼
Learning to use dry shampoo
Frizz from my roots to wavy ends! I’ve tried almost everything! I don’t want to resort to chemical treatments and use lots of oil. Ouai’s rose oil has been helping a lot. However, my day is always ruined by humidity =(.
Frizz and the fact that my hair does not hold styling/updos well – it always falls apart and it does not hold curls. #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
I’m Korean with thick, FRIZZZYYY hairrr! When I go out without using a straightener, I turn into a lion -_-
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway
I struggle with lack of volume and holdhol my fine hair #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
My biggest hair problem is my frizzy puffy hair in humid weather. I get So jealous of my Asian friends who have the sleek shiny silky pin straight hair!!! As an Asian myself I got my frizzy hair after puberty 💂🏼♀️ Plz Help me ouai!!
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway I get oily so quick! And I try not to shampoo so much because I know that can do more bad than good, but dry shampoo does not work on my asian hair!
My biggest hair issues are volume and hold. I have a lot of hair, but it is fine, so it’s easily weighed down. The Ouai volumizing hairspray has been a game changer for me!
I struggle with my hair. I feel like no one really talks about thin, curly hair, so google has been no help. A few years ago it was very popular in my school to have straight, light-colored hair. After dishing out a lot of money to have my hair go from black to blonde (professionally- even though it sucked), my hair was completely ruined. I’m a college student, who (now) doesn’t have a lot of trust in hairstylists and who doesn’t have a lot of money to be spending on a good one; so, I came to the conclusion of cutting my own hair. It’s been a 2 year process, but I finally have all virgin hair and after having it short for so long, it’s medium length. However, even with hair trims every 3 months and doing absolutely no damage ( i.e straightening, coloring, etc.,) to it, I still have bad hair and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. It gets really greasy in the roots and it’s dry and brittle at the ends, but I can’t use to much hair products because it will leave my hair flat. I would love help or some guidance because it is frustrating- to say the least. #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
Hey Nalyssa! Sending you the curl jelly! Send us your first + last name along with your shipping address to factorfam@chriselleinc.com xo
My biggest curly hair problem is not being able to have great hair the next day. I feel like I have to get more moisturizer in my hair!
my biggest hair problems are hair loss and a really sensitive scalp, but also dry ends. i would love to win some of those amazing products, love you chris ♡
Scalp problems go a-OUAI! Eline, please send email us your first + last name along with your shipping address so we can send you the scalp + body scrub! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
Biggest hair problem (but getting better) is how sensitive it is… I had no idea until I got a perm, and it damaged my hair! To the point where my once sleek and healthy strands became dry and slightly frizzy. Now, I’m just trying to give my hair the love and care it needs within my means 🙂
My biggest problem for YEARS is dry scalp/ dandruff/ bumps/ itchiness that doesn’t seem to get better even with high end products… so insecure about it and would love to try this brand to see if it works for me because I’m desperate!! #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
I have fine hair and it’s prone to getting oily. Love that it’s low maintenance since it’s so straight but it’s hard to hold a curl 😕 #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
My biggest issue with my hair is dryness!! I believe it might be because of where I live, especially during the winter, my scalp gets dry and itchy and my hair lifeless and dry. This often leads to hair loss and dandruff which is quite annoying. However during the summer or when I travel to warmer and more humid places this problem tends to go away. I really enjoyed to post! It’s always interesting to know more about the people behind the brands!
I’ve been trying to find ways to deal with hair loss and a scalp that is flaky, itchy with bumps but also is oily. Need help!!
First off, living in Hawaii frizziness is always a concern! And then because I try not to wash my hair everyday (color/hear damage) I rely on dry shampoo but some dry shampoos just dry out my scalp as well! Help!
My biggest hair concern is my fine hair, no volume! On top of that, it always gets oily fast!
My biggest issue is the split ends! No matter what I do, I can’t seem to get rid of them.
My biggest hair concern is I’ve got thick long hair and so because of it I’m never seen with my hair down, I always, always tie it up. My school teacher once commented that I look like a lion.
😑 How do I tone down my volume and enjoy.
Well – where do I begin! I stand behind all the crazy curly hair girls who once did anything to flatten and tone down their quirky coils. Name it – keratin, flat iron, blow dry, flattening with headbands, EVERYTHING to try to tame the mane. But with society empowering women and their natural, REAL look it’s become so much easier to embrace my mess and find ways to style and work my natural hair. Although it still suffers from the heat damage, I know my self confidence will only go up from here once I find the right products to make them look just right! I’ve tried Ouai products at Sephora and oof I can just drown myself in them – SO good, especially the rose oil ohhhh myyyy goooodie! All in all, I just want to embrace ME and my hair – I just need a little bit of help!
Xx love ya Chriselle!
Frizz or poofy hair if I let it air dry. And then damage if I’m blow drying it.
Frizzy Hair Be Goneeeeeeee! Amy, please email us your full name + shipping address so we can send you the anti-frizz sheets! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
Frizz for sure because of the high humidity in my area!! Also maintaining and preventing brassiness and dullness from color treating hair! #TXFxOUAIgiveaway
My biggest issue is that my hair doesn’t have enough volume, and now it’s becoming worse because I’m dealing with postpartum hair loss. My mom and I are both big fans of OUAI and love the work that you have done! #TCFxOUAIgiveaway
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway I think my biggest concern now that my hair is very bleached is dryness and brittleness. Been looking for ways to care for my hairs moisture and shine and styling it in non-damaging ways. Love ouai products because they don’t build up in my hair because I don’t like to wash my hair everyday to keep it from going brassy. Keep up the great work, Chriselle and Jen! Much love ❤️
My hair is always dull and frizzy and the scalp gets oily really fast.
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway Love the profile!! It’s so inspiring to see two incredible women talk about empowering each other. My main hair concern is a lack of volume and the fact that my hair can get kind of oily quite fast!
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway Ahh so excited to see this collab. My main hair concerns are getting volume and maintaining moisture!
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway unfortunately thinning! My hair is starting to thin out and need some tricks to help!
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway My concern is frizzy 1hair when I curl my hair and when I don’t. Baby hair are always sticking out. Love this post Chriselle!
Hi! My hair problems are preserving my blond highlights and lack of volume.
loved this post! jen i see your comments on insta everywhere & can tell how funny & downy to earth you are! currently with the summering/weird heat my hair has been getting really oily really fast! i shower at night but by the end of work the next day it feels like it needs another wash and i hate using dry shampoo. also seems to fall out a little more lately?? eep! def could use some ouai strengthening products!
Jen is such a mega inspiration! Trying to become more of a “yes” girl myself! On a less positive note, my biggest hair issues are frizz and breakage! My hair is pretty damaged but I can’t give up my blonde… trying to find some new products and up my hair game and I am OUAI interested in trying some OUAI 😉
My hair pre-pregnancy was average.. during pregnancy I definitely benefited from pregnancy glow for hair. But now 4 weeks postpartum my hair is definitely in need of some TLC. Between the Korean tradition of not showering and in general not having time or energy to spend on my hair its taken a toll and my hair is dull and lifeless and all I can do is put it in a ponytail and lust after hair goals on Instagram. Please show me the OUAI to beautiful healthy hair!!
Sending you the travel kit, Nina! Email us your first + last name along with your shipping address! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
Ahh so excited! It’s:
Nina Sutjiawan
372 Fifth Ave
Apt 8K
New York, NY 10018
Thank you!!
Hello! Mine is super super dry scalp. After my daughter, now one, I keep having super flaky hair. It looks like someone threw snow on me. It’s always super dry. It’s kind of embarrassing. Anything that could help would be appreciated. Thank you
Dry damaged ends and oily scalp
I’ve always had ‘bad hair’ – super thin hair that lacks volume and is frizzy on top of it. I’ve always been afraid to let my hair down – literally – because I’m always not happy with it. Tried a lot of different products but I haven’t tried that one that I keep coming back to.
My hair problem is my dry scalp. It causes flakes despite me taking a shower 10 min before so I am in need of moisture and rejuvenation for my scalp. // great interview! I really like the questions as well as the answers she gave ! Thank you!
I feel that my hair can never keep volume throughout the day! I use other products and it ends up weighing my hair down versus giving it some lift!
I just had baby #2 and I’m at that stage where I’m losing tons of hair every time I wash it! It just feels like my hair has way less volume then it did before having children and also receding hairline. 😭
I adore Jen! She has been such an inspiration to watch how she manages her business in savvy ways that have helped her grow. So…on to my hair dilemma: My hair is super long, but also thick, which kills my curl when I attempt to avoid the weekly blowout! As a result? Little body without using a major curling iron, and thin up top from the weight of the hair! Help! 😭 thank you, Jessica
Thank you for this incredible inspiring interview featuring such wonderful, strong, authentic entrepreneurs.
Lisamerkledesign.com, Los Angeles
I have double bleached pink hair and it’s never felt more damaged. I’ve always struggled with my fine, Asian hair not having much volume. Would love to try Ouai products!
Great interview! 🙂
My biggest hair concern is that it is frizzy and damaged because of bleached ends.
My biggest hair concern is thin, fine, flat hair! 🙁 I’m always trying to make it dirtier or “damage” it so I have come volume!
My biggest hair concern is keeping my hair uniform! My hair on my left side of my head is straight and the other side is wavy. It’s a daily struggle… 😉
My biggest hair problem is FRIZZ!! I try to use oil but it’s a struggle! Thank you for the giveaway!
Hey Carolyn! Email us your first + last name and current shipping address so we can make your frizz go away! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
TCFxOUAIgiveaway
I love how easy ouai products are supposed to be to use! My biggest problem is so MUCH FRIZZ 🙁 ive tried so many products but havent found anything yet 🙈help!
TCFxOUAIgiveaway
Love this article from two of the biggest bosses in the beauty game!
As an Asian female, people expect for me to have fine long frizz-less hair but I have the exact opposite! I’ve struggled with finding he right formula or solution products to help with my very thick, frizzy coarse hair! Thank you for sharing this article piece to your followers! 😘
Hey Jules! Send us your first + last name + current shipping address so we can send you the rose oil! It’s best when added to damp hair! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
Thank you! Sending now!
I’m always such a big fan of your Girl Boss Files series 😀 And one of my biggest hair concerns right now is how flat it is! I have really fine hair that tends to fall flat really easily.
XO, Elizabeth T.
http://clothestoyouuu.com
Biggest problem with my hair is how flat and straight it is! Even when I curl it, after about an hour it looks as if I straightened it instead. All that heat also left my hair with split ends now 🙁
#TCFxOUAIgiveaway Love Jen Atkin! Her brand is simple, chic, and real. My biggest issue with my hair is how thick and frizzy it gets! I have long hair too, so it’s hard to do anything with it (other than curling it which can be pretty damaging!)
That was a great read!
Love Jen Atkin’s work.
One of the biggest hair issues I have is maintaining my mane because my hair has a lot of volume. And that becomes a hassle on most days!
Love,
Nikki
Hey Nikki! Send us your first + last name along with your shipping address so we can send you a memory mist! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
Thank you so much Chriselle! 🙂
This makes me so happy. I have shared the details with you.
Love,
Nikki
My biggest problem is frizz!!! I try to do natural waves but instead i get a poof most of the time. Help!
Amazing post! I love this series and hearing the thoughts on different entrepreneurs and their wisdom. I have to say my biggest hair struggle is thinness due to my PCOS, and oiliness.
Tabitha
https://coleann.com/
I loooove Jen and the Ouai! She’s so inspiring and I have loved following her story. You guys are the ultimate power duo! Hmm my ultimate hair struggle is having wavy, fine, frizzy hair. A lot of products weight it down and I want voluminous frizz free hair!
My biggest problem is poofy asian hair that I want to be tamed, sleek and straight!
Hey Amanda! Send us your first and last name + current shipping address. We’ll send you the Memory Mist! factorfam@chriselleinc.com
Love this post so much! x
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
My biggest hair problem is the thinning of my hair and I can’t get any volume. Thanks.
Great post. It’s always interesting to read about inspiring women.
Kathrin | Polar Bear Style