Why We Choose O&M — A Personal Note from Tomoko

Posted by Gaya Hair & Beauty

I get asked quite often about the products we use — and I love that question.

It Started With a Pregnancy

About 10 years ago, I was working at a large salon while pregnant. We used well-known professional brands — Kérastase and L'Oréal — and I have a lot of respect for those products. But during my pregnancy, the chemical smell was overwhelming. I felt nauseous every single day.

That experience made me stop and really think about what I was putting into the air around me, around my clients, and eventually around my children. It changed the way I choose products.

Why Product Choice Matters

As hairdressers, the products we choose affect everything — the results we can achieve, the health of your hair, and our own wellbeing too. Colour results, texture, finish — all of it changes depending on what you use. It's one of the most important decisions we make.

And in a small salon like ours, it feels even more personal. Our kids are sometimes here. You are here. We are here every single day.

So Why O&M?

O&M (Original & Mineral) is an Australian brand built on the belief that salon-quality colour doesn't have to come at a cost to your health. When I first tried it, the difference was immediate — not just in the results, but in how I felt using it. No overwhelming smell. No discomfort. Beautiful colour.

I want to be honest: there are many wonderful colour products out there. Using a more affordable brand wouldn't necessarily mean worse results. But for us, it comes down to what we feel comfortable using every day — in a small space, with our clients, and with our children nearby.

One thing worth mentioning: O&M is a gentler formula, which suits many hair types beautifully — but for some Asian hair, it can occasionally need a little adjustment. We're aware of this and take it into account for each client.

Yes, it costs more. That's reflected in our pricing. It's a choice we make with care.

"Is it a Chinese brand?"

We get this question sometimes. Our colour is O&M — Australian-made. Our perm products are Wella. Our straightening treatments are imported directly from Japan — products we trained with and know well. Qiqi Vega was chosen after carefully reviewing its ingredients.

We choose what we believe in.

— Tomoko Gaya Hair & Beauty

13/150 Symonds Street, Auckland Central Monday – Saturday | 10:00am – 7:00pm