SmALL Batch | UpCYCLED | Surfer Crafted
BORN FROM THE OCEAN.
Hi, I’m Farhana—Founder of Brown Girl Surf. I'm on a new mission.
Having been a surfer for almost half my life, my hair has been through a lot. The damage came to a head during lockdown in Morocco where constant salt, wind, and sun exposure left my hair bleached, dry, and thinning. Most of what was available were conventional products — chemical-heavy formulas in plastic bottles.
As surfers, we turned to some simple solutions. I relied on coconut oil treatments to protect my hair, while a surf friend handcrafted shampoo bars she sometimes sold at the local surf camp. I realized that our best surf haircare solutions came from our lived practices.
Inspired by these rituals, I began developing my own formulas back home in California—refining a recipe that cared for my surf-damaged hair and that stayed true to my values of simplicity and sustainability.
Today, that experimentation led to creating the Atlas Shampoo Bar: a minimal-ingredient bar made from biodegradable elements for anyone contending with the harsh elements of salt, sun, or wind. Most importantly, it’s a bar informed by lived experience in the water and one that is not only good for our hair, but good for our planet.
Having been a surfer for almost half my life, my hair has been through a lot. The damage came to a head during lockdown in Morocco where constant salt, wind, and sun exposure left my hair bleached, dry, and thinning. Most of what was available were conventional products — chemical-heavy formulas in plastic bottles.
As surfers, we turned to some simple solutions. I relied on coconut oil treatments to protect my hair, while a surf friend handcrafted shampoo bars she sometimes sold at the local surf camp. I realized that our best surf haircare solutions came from our lived practices.
Inspired by these rituals, I began developing my own formulas back home in California—refining a recipe that cared for my surf-damaged hair and that stayed true to my values of simplicity and sustainability.
Today, that experimentation led to creating the Atlas Shampoo Bar: a minimal-ingredient bar made from biodegradable elements for anyone contending with the harsh elements of salt, sun, or wind. Most importantly, it’s a bar informed by lived experience in the water and one that is not only good for our hair, but good for our planet.
Our Products
ATLAS SHAMPOO BAR
Five ingredients | Biodegradable | designed by surfers
Our shampoo bar restores sun and salt-stressed hair to its natural strength and shine—without plastic bottles or long ingredient lists.
Every bar is hand-crafted in Oakland, California, U.S.A. (Confederated Villages of Lisjan and the territory of Huichin)
Our shampoo bar restores sun and salt-stressed hair to its natural strength and shine—without plastic bottles or long ingredient lists.
Every bar is hand-crafted in Oakland, California, U.S.A. (Confederated Villages of Lisjan and the territory of Huichin)
Every ingredient has a purpose
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Organic shea butterPressed from the nuts of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), native to West and Central Africa. Long used in traditional beauty rituals, shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins A and E, providing deep nourishment that helps repair, soften, and hydrate hair and scalp.
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ORganic Coconut oil (Fair Trade)A staple I grew up with, watching my mom and aunts use it to care for their long, thick hair. Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft to repair salt damage while locking in moisture, making hair stronger, smoother, and more silky. It also helps shield hair from environmental stressors like sun, salt, and wind.
Our oil is fair-trade sourced, supporting the livelihoods of farmers and their families. |
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organic arrowroot powderA plant-based starch that helps balance oils in the hair. Since shea butter can sometimes feel heavy, especially for curly hair, arrowroot keeps the finish light, fresh, and vibrant.
Our organic powder is sourced from a small family business who supports food security for children in India from their product sales. |
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Coconut-derived cleanser (Sodium Cocoyl isethionate )A super-gentle cleanser often used in baby products. It creates a rich, creamy lather that cleanses without stripping natural oils. Perfect for curly, salt- and sun-damaged hair that needs both restoration and gentle care.
Our cleanser is 100% palm-free. COCOA BUTTERDescription coming soon!
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Available Scents: Lavender Mint, Citrus, Unscented, Musk
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Upcycled "Misfit" Bath Bars
Our misfit bath bars are sourced from our surf buddies in the Monterey Bay (traditional, ancestral territories and homelands of the Rumsen/ Rumsien Ohlone people). They operate a social enterprise where they make these bars to support programs that teach surfing and environmental stewardship to women and youth. We rescue their "perfectly imperfect" pieces, repackage and bring them to market.
Whether the swirl was off or the cut wasn't standard, the quality remains 100% exceptional. Same premium ingredients, same loving craftsmanship born from happy accidents!
By choosing these soaps, you reduce waste, support local women makers, empower women and youth, and bring a little more love for Mother Earth into your daily routine.
Whether the swirl was off or the cut wasn't standard, the quality remains 100% exceptional. Same premium ingredients, same loving craftsmanship born from happy accidents!
By choosing these soaps, you reduce waste, support local women makers, empower women and youth, and bring a little more love for Mother Earth into your daily routine.
Our ethos
Waves of Change | Waves of Beauty
Brown Girl Surf began in 2011 as a global storytelling movement to elevate diverse women in surf culture. Today, that same vision carries into every bar we make.
Our products reflect:
Our products reflect:
- Sustainability – upcycled elements, minimal ingredients.
- Community – made by surfers, supporting women makers.
- Authenticity – born from decades of lived experience.
- Love for Mother Earth – beauty that doesn’t cost the planet.
Culture Shift:
By modeling sustainable surf culture, we hope to inspire other brands to follow suit—creating the lasting consumer shifts and behavior changes our ocean planet desperately needs.
Each item you purchase is not just a product, it’s an extension of our history, philosophy and values — connection, beauty, female empowerment, sustainability, and Love for Mother Earth!
Explore our story
By modeling sustainable surf culture, we hope to inspire other brands to follow suit—creating the lasting consumer shifts and behavior changes our ocean planet desperately needs.
Each item you purchase is not just a product, it’s an extension of our history, philosophy and values — connection, beauty, female empowerment, sustainability, and Love for Mother Earth!
Explore our story