Stylist, owner, educator and manufacturer Paul Brown passed away on July 7th.
Stylists, Salon Owners, Educators, Innovators, Makers Paul Brown He died in San Francisco on July 7 after battling cancer. He was the owner of the Paul Brown Salon in Hawaii and the founder of his Hawaiian hair care company Paul Brown. he was 74 years old.
If you’ve been attending professional beauty shows for decades and have seen attendees walking around wearing leis made from dark brown kukui nuts, Paul Brown is just around the corner. I was able to bet that the person who came to say hello was bestowed with a lei.
Braun opened his first hair salon in Honolulu in 1971 and made a name for himself in the industry with his innovative thermal hair straightening system and flat iron. With the success of his salon, Brown recognized the need for a unique professional hair care product system that would incorporate organic botanicals grown naturally in Hawaii to benefit clients of all cultures.
Combining love and beauty for Hawaii
By the late 1980s, Brown had established a successful international hair care products company that bears his name. Paul Brown HawaiiInspired by Hawaii’s tropical botanicals, diverse cultural and ethnic influences, we have developed plant-based hair care products that are used all over the world. Inspired by Hawaiian fauna, ocean essences and kukui nut oil, our products provide clients with manageable, soft and shiny hair. His earth-friendly, omega-rich products hit shelves today, but at the time, few companies ventured down this path.
No matter how hard he faced, Brown never forgot all his inspirations. his beloved Hawaii. He spent his four days a week doing what he loves most, cutting clients’ hair, and continued to lead the specialty salon products company through innovation. “With a commitment to progressive research and product development, Paul Brown’s primary focus at Hawaii continues to be hair care his solutions for all cultures and all people,” he said.
motto of giving back
Braun’s involvement in the industry extends beyond salons and product lines. Braun’s reputation as an educator and developer of highly respected product lines, whether representing the industry in Washington or lobbying for various bills in favor of beauty professionals has taken over internationally. He traveled extensively and gave educational seminars to large numbers of visitors. He frequently gave demonstrations and explained his unique hair design techniques around the world. And he donated a huge amount of time and money by “giving back”. This is a key motto for his continued growth and value.
“My success in the professional salon, spa and product industries is based on my professional commitment to education, hair fashion and industry trends,” he said. A brand that I am very proud of. ”
Braun is the former Vice President of the International Salon/Spa Business Network and has worked for over a decade to create positive change for the beauty industry, its businesses, and the countless people who work within it.
Brown was also well known throughout his beloved Hawaiian Islands for his extraordinary philanthropic and state contributions. His philanthropic work benefited the American Cancer Society and he volunteered for the Alzheimer’s Society. He donated his styling services to his Goodwill Industries and their “Goodwill Goes Glam” fundraising event. The event saw models light up the runway in gently used fashion and raise money to help underprivileged residents find meaningful work.
Kat Marenchia, The Paul Brown Salon Managing Director says the salon’s stylists, staff, apprentices and assistants will continue to honor his legacy. continue.
Industry remembers Paul Brown
“Today is a sad day as we mourn the passing of a true legend, Paul Brown. Paul was obsessed with the hair industry and Hawaii. He may not have been born, but he captured the essence of the island, from his dynamic personality to the innovative hair care line he founded.There were a lot of firsts when it came to Paul. He was the first to introduce the benefits of kukui nut oil in professional beauty lines and did so long before hair oils became fashionable.He collaborated with biologists and researchers at the University of Hawaii to He developed the omega-rich Hawaiian Protein Flora Complex (HPFC), he helped introduce the flat iron to the U.S., and who could forget the hair straightening system with boards and magnetic rollers. In his ongoing journey to maintain the health and integrity of hair, he introduced a perm that proved to be gentler in restructuring hair than most conventional perms. But in addition to his creative talents, Paul has generously devoted his time and energy to mentoring young stylists, an international salon/spa business network, and the Wounded Warriors Project. He spent countless hours and resources helping people feel beautiful. Making other people feel beautiful was his gift.”—Scott Bowers, CEO of Paul Brown Hawaii, said:
“I have known Paul for many years when he was on the board of ISBN. We met with Paul several times and one of his clients was the wife of a four star Admiral who was in command of the Pacific Fleet.Pat (Navy General) retired, we were invited to his decommissioning ceremony at Pearl Harbor, on the pier opposite the Arizona Memorial. The national anthem was to be sung by Jim Neighbors. I said, ‘Would you like to meet him, is he one of my customers?’ Of course we did and he was the nicest person! There were always surprises. He was fun and will miss his many friends.—Gordon Logan, chairman and founder of SportClips
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Paul over the decades. For many years we were members of the Board of Directors together with ISBN. Being in Hawaii and I being in Ohio, it wasn’t easy to connect as often as we would have liked, but it was always a great experience when we did. I was fortunate enough to study and interact with some of the greats of that era.Whenever we are together, we take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce about the peaceful days of youth and beauty. I relived the joy of being in the industry’s ‘Renaissance’. We attended his Intercoiffure meeting together in New York City and after the meeting Paul accompanied me and his wife Debbie to stay at his home in Ohio for a few days. Our conversations were endless and his love for our industry was evident throughout. Also, his love for Duckhorn and Merlot was evident on that trip. Since then, I have never had a Merlot wine without thinking of Paul. Another unforgettable memory of him is presenting the ISBN Lifetime Achievement Award with Paul to our idol and mentor Vidal Sassoon. Paul and I were Vidal’s early disciples, and we owe all of our professional success to him. We were like boys meeting Michael Jordan or Tom Brady that weekend. We each knew exactly how the other felt about the moment. Paul is incredible He was a great artist and businessman, but more importantly he was kind, gracious and charming. Likewise, he was the quintessential gentleman who could write a book on the subject. Those of us who knew Paul loved him. And those of us who loved him will miss him dearly. ”—Charles Penzone, Penzone Salon + Spa
“Paul was one of the first people I met when I joined ISBN. He was so warm and welcoming…and what energy, enthusiasm and personality! I had the pleasure of meeting him.I admired his strength to change his business and personal life.We were one of a kind…and simply wonderful. !—Rhoda Olsen, Great Clips
“Paul was one of those ‘one of a kind’ guys. He was smart, entrepreneurial, talented, funny and incredibly generous. When we stopped by the hair salon , he hosted my family and arranged for our daughters to spend time at the beach”massages before taking us on an island tour. How important is Spam to the Hawaiian Islands?” Paul took us to his favorite diner in the heart of Maui. Food and Hawaii. We were the only non-native faces in the diner, but thanks to Paul I On the contrary, whenever Paul came to New York, he would take me to the best restaurants for sumptuous meals.Spam to the lobster that was Paul! So it was an important stop for me to stop by Paul Brown’s booth. He was all about improving the lives of hairdressers and bringing quality to clients and the industry. he will be lonely ”—Maggie Mulhern, Esthetica USA General editor and former beauty and fashion director, modern salon
Paul and Stacey Soble outside the Honolulu flagship store in 2013.
“Paul Brown has always been a reporter’s dream. I was in Honolulu for a few days and called Paul to see if I could tour one of his iconic salons..not only did he graciously show us his flagship salon. He spent the afternoon showing me his favorite spots in the city, and took me to a poolside lunch at his club. It brought a lot more… more than I expected.”—Stacey Soble, salon today
“Paul was the soul of the salon industry. He understood and embodied the essence of what makes this industry special. Thanks to Ration, it was at some point in my life that I needed a change and that triggered RIP Brother!— Phil Horvath, President Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
If you have a favorite memory or photo with Paul Brown you’d like to share, please send it to stacey.soble@bobit.com.
To reprint this article and request a license, please click here.
