Merian Odesho, founder and formulating scientist of Bounce Curl, has been named to Sephora’s prestigious 2025 Accelerate program. This recognition honors her groundbreaking work in the beauty industry. It highlights her dedication to creating science-backed products for curly, wavy, and coily hair. Bounce Curl’s innovative approach includes patented formulas and the viral Define EdgeLift Brush™. These innovations empower individuals to embrace their natural hair with confidence and ease.
The Bounce Curl Story: Where Heritage Meets Innovation
The story of Bounce Curl is one of innovation, cultural heritage, and empowerment. Founded in 2015 by Merian Odesho, this woman-owned brand has revolutionized hair and skincare by blending traditional Mesopotamian ingredients with modern science. Inspired by her grandmother’s nurturing wisdom, Merian combined nature and innovation to create high-performance products that celebrate natural curls. As CEO, brand educator, and the scientist behind the formulations, Merian ensures every product reflects her expertise and vision.
Redefining Beauty Narratives
Bounce Curl advocates for reshaping beauty narratives. While straightened hair was once the norm, the brand champions the acceptance and celebration of natural curls. For over 14 years, Merian and Bounce Curl have focused on education and empowerment through social media. They have become pioneers in promoting self-love and celebrating diverse curl patterns. Starting from humble beginnings, the brand now serves millions of loyal customers in over 150 countries. It has also built a global community of more than 1 million followers on social platforms.
Innovation at the Core
Innovation lies at the heart of Bounce Curl. The brand’s revolutionary, patented EdgeLift Brush™ features one-of-a-kind lateral edges, dramatically reducing styling time while delivering stunning results for wavy, curly, and coily hair. This game-changing brush has sold out over 14 times in just six months, underscoring its immense popularity among consumers and stylists alike.
High-Quality, Clean Formulations
Bounce Curl designs its products with precision to meet the unique needs of textured hair. Combining holistic and modern science approaches, the brand delivers quality formulations free from silicones, parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, PEGs, and other undesirable additives. All products adhere to Europe’s stringent regulatory guidelines and are cruelty-free, vegan, dermatologist-tested, toxicologist-audited, and clinically proven.
Bounce Curl Empowers Women to Build and Launch Their Own Businesses
Merian is passionate about empowering women to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. The belief that “Beauty is Shared” drives Bounce Curl to invest in and mentor women. The company supports women overcoming challenging life circumstances or facing financial hardships, helping them start and grow their businesses.
In addition, Bounce Curl is establishing a nonprofit organization focused on providing assistance and support to those in need. The company is also developing an annual scholarship competition designed to offer financial aid to individuals pursuing their goals through various educational pathways.
The Sephora Accelerate Program: A Launchpad for Succes
As part of Sephora’s Accelerate program, Merian Odesho joins a select group of eight founders recognized for their innovative brands. This six-month initiative offers mentorship, business development support, and access to Sephora’s network. Participants also receive tailored training on financial readiness, social media strategies, and marketing from industry icons such as Nancy Twine (Briogeo), Christine Chang and Sarah Lee (Glow Recipe), and Amy Liu (Tower 28). With direct access to Sephora’s buying team and advisory groups of beauty and financial experts, the program equips founders with the tools to scale their businesses successfully.
A Vision for the Future
“We are thrilled to celebrate the 2025 Accelerate finalists and their potential to shape the future of beauty,” said Priya Venkatesh, Global Chief Merchandising Officer at Sephora. “Merian’s dedication to Bounce Curl and her science-driven approach reflect the diversity and innovation our program champions.”
Merian’s journey with Bounce Curl continues to inspire. Her commitment to creating clean, high-performance haircare products has redefined the beauty industry and empowered textured hair communities worldwide. With Sephora’s support, Merian aims to take Bounce Curl to new heights, unite a global community of curl enthusiasts, and advance her mission to help individuals embrace their natural beauty.
Learn More
To learn more about Merian Odesho and Bounce Curl, visit BounceCurl.com
