When he’s not tending to his high-profile purchasers at his namesake Toronto salon or showing on Cityline as a magnificence skilled, Jason Lee is plotting world domination together with his hair care line, Mela & Kera. While the thought to start out his personal model got here from his “very practical accountant father” who suggested him it was a profitable business determination, Lee’s expertise working with the likes of Marc Anthony and John Frieda over the course of his profession impressed him to think about what his enterprise may appear to be. He spent 15 years dreaming up the subsequent era of high-performance hair merchandise and launched his seven-product assortment—named after melanin, pigment discovered within the hair, and keratin, a protecting protein naturally in hair—final April.
Carried in Canada at Gee Beauty and Harry Rosen, and within the U.S. at high-end retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, Mela & Kera has garnered accolades in publications like Forbes and wonder web site Byrdie—which gave the road its 2022’s “best volumizing conditioner” award. This yr, Lee plans to increase his merchandise into extra retailers in addition to launch two new collections and extra merchandise to present strains. Here are 10 issues the hair skilled depends on for inspiration, vitality and getting the job performed.
Vega Protein Energy Drinks
Lee mixes this plant-based powder with water and drinks it 20 minutes earlier than his exercises, which he tends to do when he finishes on the salon for the day. “I’m exhausted and it gives me that extra bit of pep in my step,” he says. He says he additionally chugs it earlier than his appearances on CityLine.
Boy de Chanel make-up
Lately, Lee has been revisiting make-up—one thing he wore years in the past when he was a contestant on the early 2000s Canadian actuality present Superstar Hair Challenge—by filling in his brows and smudging eyeliner beneath his eyes. “It just gives me extra confidence,” he says. “It makes me feel like I can take on anything.”
Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones by Madonna
From the second he noticed her “Borderline” video as a toddler, Lee has been a Madonna tremendous fan, and now he has her newest compilation, which options her 50 number-one hits, enjoying on repeat. “From a business perspective, she’s had a career that’s lasted decades, and has continually made money and sold products,” he says. “She’s intelligent, business-minded, artistic, creative and speaks up for herself. And she fights for the underdog—I really relate to that.”
Gucci
When Tom Ford was Gucci’s high designer from 1994 to 2004, Lee was obsessive about the Italian trend home—but proudly owning any Gucci clothes was merely out of his funds. Luckily, he had the funds by the point Alessandro Michele took over in 2015; Lee was taken with the designer’s theatrical route and purchased a number of items, from easy hoodies to a silky orange shirt with a bow. “I really connect with Gucci because they make loud, confident and strong pieces,” Lee says. “That’s what I feel most comfortable in.”
Café Bustelo Coffee
Every morning begins with the Cuban espresso that reminds Lee of the winters he used to spend in Miami, the place this model was ubiquitous. “This is a whole different experience than coffee,” he says. “It just tastes different. It has a better feel in your mouth.”
Asics Gel Kayano 28 Platinum
When you get a number of your concepts when you’re strolling—and if you common 30,000 steps a day—you want the appropriate footwear. Lee has three pairs of those Asics sneakers in rotation and wears all of them day within the salon, out to business conferences and straight to the fitness center. “I can’t live without them given how much I work and how much I’m moving.”
New York City
Lee has visited Manhattan each month for the final 20 years—and even lived there from 2003 to 2005—as a result of it continues to be a supply of inspiration for him. It’s not simply the structure and the artwork galleries he loves; Lee additionally does analysis by visiting retailers and observing what the younger youngsters are carrying on the streets. “I find that they are generally ahead of the game in terms of what’s cool.”
Personal Training
“He’s transformed my body,” Lee says of William Celis, the Toronto-based coach he meets with 5 days per week. And past the bodily advantages, the common classes have made Lee accountable to do one thing repeatedly. “I’m relating that to my business because that’s actually how you build success,” he says. “Every day, just go at it and something will emerge from that determination.”
StriVectin SD Advanced Plus Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate
Lee’s actually into self care, which explains his in depth magnificence product assortment. But this StriVectin moisturizer is the one he swears by. “It’s hydrating, but not heavy and doesn’t make me break out,” he says. “I’ve tried a lot of different things but I always go back to it.”
Candles
From Byredo to Le Labo, on the salon or at dwelling, in summer season or winter, candles are a continuing in Lee’s environment. “A candle, especially when you’re working, sets the mood and elevates the room,” he says. He even takes one with him at any time when he has a business presentation. “At least one candle’s always lit in the room.”
Source: canadianbusiness.com