HISTORY
Read the story of The Insiders below,
told by our founder and award-winning hairstylist Andy Uffels.
Hair is in my DNA
Growing up in a loving hairdressing family, it’s no surprise that hairstyling became my passion. My mom was a brilliant hairstylist in Amsterdam, with an international celebrity clientele—Katharine Hepburn was her favorite! My dad, on the other hand, was the director of nationwide hairdressing schools in The Netherlands.
As a kid, I spent countless hours in salons and hairdressing schools, soaking up everything I could about the craft. My parents’ dedication and creativity have always been my greatest inspiration, and I’m proud to carry their legacy forward.
In love with hairstyling
It all began in the 80s when I discovered my passion for hairstyling. Back then, I loved competing, and with my amazing model Yolanda, we even became World Champions! What an unforgettable experience—it was such a different time!
In those days, everything was about creating super technical styles, and that’s where my obsession with healthy, shiny, and protected hair was born. For me, it wasn’t just about the style; it had to look great, feel amazing, and shine with health. That love for protective styling has stayed with me ever since.
Continuing the family legacy
By 1995, the whole family—including my brother—was deeply rooted in the hair business. Watching my mother work was always inspiring. She handled hair with so much love, respect, and care, always saying, ‘Be kind to hair, and hair will follow.’
Her techniques and her vision for healthy hair shaped me. This was when I really began to focus on the importance of healthier hair products. Seeing how much of a difference they made sparked a passion that’s stayed with me ever since.
Backstage at the fashion shows
Working backstage at fashion shows in Paris, London, and Milan was a whirlwind of creativity and experimentation. With colleagues, I spent hours mixing existing products with healthy, protective ingredients, always asking myself, ‘What can we do to keep the models’ hair healthy?’
With models rushing between five or more shows a day, their hair faced a lot of stress. My mission was simple: protect their hair as much as possible while creating stunning looks. Those experiments planted the seeds for my passion for truly effective, protective haircare solutions.
Discovering the power of secret ingredients
In 2012, I stepped into the lab and uncovered the incredible potential of our unique ingredients—like the Pro-vitamin blend, Vegetal-sourced blend, heat protection, and UV filters. Each one had its own superpower, but the big question was: How do we combine all these amazing goodies into one perfect hair product?
That challenge sparked a journey of innovation, testing, and creativity. The goal? To create products that not only work wonders but also care for and protect hair in every possible way
Experimenting, co-creating and testing
Salon hairstylists were quick to notice how our natural blends worked wonders, protecting and nourishing hair like never before. At the time, the hair industry seemed stuck in its ways, relying on conventional methods and ingredients—parabens, high levels of alcohol, and certain polymers.
But one question kept nagging us: Why hasn’t anyone focused on protecting hair during styling?
That question drove us to experiment, co-create, and test relentlessly. It wasn’t just about styling; it was about rewriting the rules to prioritize hair’s health during styling every step of the way. Maybe it was time for a change—and we were ready to make it happen
The start of something special
On a sunny beach in Spain, the idea for The Insiders was quietly born. The timing felt perfect, and the excitement was undeniable.
The first thought? Let’s tell Mom and Dad!
That moment marked the start of an incredible journey.
The opening of The Insiders studio & office in the Netherlands
The excitement was real as we opened our very first studio and delivered our first batch of products.
Let's goooo!
The launch of our compact styling collection
Big news: we’ve packed the magic and Insider secrets of our 7 bestselling products into a sleek, compact styling collection! This year, we’re making styling simpler than ever. Why just these 7? Because they’re the ultimate essentials, carefully chosen to cover all your styling needs.
With this streamlined collection, you’ll have everything you need for healthy, gorgeous hair, anytime, anywhere.
The story continues
Our Creative Escape. Welcome to Villa Avalon, in sunny Benitachell – Spain, where inspiration and relaxation go hand in hand.
Here we bring The Insiders to life: a dream location for brainstorming sessions, education, photo shoots and creative projects.
Imagine breathtaking views, a relaxed atmosphere and a touch of Spanish charm.
Our hideaway to grow ideas, collaborate and sometimes just enjoy a good glass of wine under the stars.
And who knows... maybe we will invite you as a club member to experience a session at Villa Avalon!