Fabian Lliguin, a renowned hairstylist and colorist in New York City, was in the heart of the Amazon rainforest when he realized he was surrounded by women with the most beautiful long, lustrous hair that cascaded past their waists. The secret, the women told Fabian, was rahua oil. For centuries the members of the tribe, who live deep within the rainforest, had relied on this oil to nourish their hair and skin.
Upon his return to his salon on Fifth Avenue, he decided — as an experiment, and without any expectations — to use the oil as a treatment for a client with extremely dry, damaged hair. After 10 minutes, her hair was completely transformed: from brittle and lifeless to healthy, shiny, and bouncy. Fabian was as shocked as his client. Here was solid proof that this ingredient, used for centuries, produced tangible results.
In 2008, together with his wife and business partner, Anna Ayers, they launched the Rahua brand, drawing on the wisdom of a legendary people to formulate a singular line of innovative, plant-based products to heal, nourish, beautify, and transform.
Today, more than 500 families from the Quechua-Shuar, Achuar, and neighboring tribes work with Fabian and Anna to cultivate the rainforest grown ingredients used in the Rahua hair care and body care collections.