Developing high-quality, science-backed grooming products for textured hair

When Jeffrey Clorissaint (MBA ’26) started his hair care company, Menalated, he was driven by personal frustration. While dealing with hair loss, he noticed a lack of quality options for textured hair in the market and set out to create a solution for men like himself, focusing on health and growth for textured hair. The result has been products formulated with science-backed ingredients and research-driven solutions for healthy, vibrant hair every day.

Clorissaint spent his early years learning from his mother, a chemist, esthetician, and hair entrepreneur, who taught him about product creation and formulations to enhance textured hair. Her early guidance helped him to formulate the first product in the Menalated haircare line, CrazyGrowth Hair Oil, which he used to restore his own hairline.

Each Menalated product is specially designed for men with textured hair, using carefully selected ingredients to nourish, hydrate, and enhance hair and beards while addressing common issues such as dryness, fragility, manageability, and retention. Clorissaint aims to empower men with textured hair through high-quality, science-backed grooming products that focus on hair health, growth, and confidence.

“My aspiration is for Menalated to emerge as a trusted cornerstone in the daily routines of men with textured hair,” said Clorissaint. His long-term goal is to make the company the leading grooming and wellness brand for men with textured hair, redefining beauty standards, restoring confidence, and building a global community rooted in culture, care, and authenticity.

Before starting his MBA, Clorissaint worked as a financial advisor in New York, supporting founders and their families. He aspired to become a founder himself and tapped into the wealth of startup resources and support offered by the Olin Business School and the Skandalaris Center as soon as he arrived at WashU, setting his idea into motion.

Clorissaint refined his product pitch through the Skandalaris Venture Competition, winning Innovator Funding in fall 2024 and Catalyst Funding the following spring. This summer, he is focusing on Menalated full-time through the Skandalaris Launchpad accelerator program, working with Product Scientist intern Mallikarjun Verma (MS ’25).

When it was time to develop the band’s visual identity, Clorissaint partnered with the Skandalaris Design Agency, which pairs student designers with startups in need of branding, product design, websites, and more. Designer Chloe Wetzler (BA ’25) crafted a bold, edgy, and eye-catching visual identity for Menalated that reflected the brand’s values. The striking orange packaging helps the products stand out on store shelves and reinforces the confidence Menalated products inspire in customers. Madison Wang (BFA ’26) expanded that brand identity this summer with business cards, promotional posters, and a more detailed brand application guide.

Currently, Menalated sells its CrazyGrowth Hair Oil exclusively on menalated.com, but the team is preparing to launch on Amazon and TikTok Shop. They will soon add shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner to their product line, offering a complete range of textured hair products—because great style starts with healthy hair.

Follow Menalated on Instagram @menalatedlabs, on TikTok @menalated, and shop at www.menalated.com.