Behind this bold name hides an equally remarkable duo: Maya and Brian Smith , an African-American couple at the head of this brand that is shaking up the codes of care and styling for textured hair.
A passion born in the 90s… and never interrupted
Maya and Brian Smith met in high school in the 1990s, united by their love of hip-hop culture—from A Tribe Called Quest to OutKast . This shared cultural foundation became the starting point for an extraordinary personal and entrepreneurial journey.
Maya Smith , a qualified hairstylist and textured hair expert, began working at the age of 15. Her passion, professional training and years in the salon led her to design her own formulas capable of responding to an often forgotten reality: that of curly, frizzy, kinky hair, without compromising between hair health and style.
Brian Smith , for his part, is a U.S. Army veteran. He brings to the brand his operational rigor, logistical vision, and strategic acumen. Together, they form a complementary and cohesive duo.
From international roots… to global success
The Doux was born in 2015 on a US military base in Germany. The project began as a hair salon, founded by Maya, who quickly developed her own products for her clients on site. It was an immediate success.
Growing demand prompted the couple to structure their project into a full-fledged brand, designed to meet the expectations of discerning consumers around the world. Each formula is developed, tested, and validated in-salon by a true field professional.
Among the flagship products, we find Mousse Def , a light mousse that activates curls with volume, and the famous Big Poppa , the custard-type defining gel, perfect for wash & go.
A committed couple, an authentic brand
What truly sets The Doux apart is its commitment: a black-owned , family-run , veteran-owned brand, designed to serve the real issues of textured hair, while remaining faithful to a strong, pop, and joyful aesthetic.
Maya Smith regularly speaks out to defend a clear-sighted and structured approach to entrepreneurship in beauty: understanding the workings of the market, succeeding without denying oneself, and above all, reinvesting in the Black community (training spaces, support, empowerment).
Brian, for his part, insists on the need to build a brand that reflects us, with seriousness and a long-term vision. " You have to know what you're doing before you ask for a check ," he summarizes in one of their interviews.
A brand to follow… and to support
At Colorful Black, we're proud to offer a selection of products by The Doux, designed with intelligence and precision. Their couple embodies a new generation of entrepreneurs: creative, connected to their culture, and driven by a true mission.
For those looking for maximum definition, Bee Girl Curl Custard offers perfect hold with a shiny finish, ideal for twists, braid-outs or long-lasting looks.
The Doux is not just a brand, it's a state of mind.
