About Us
Hi there! I'm Holly, the founder and creator of Hello Hint Co., or just Hint for short.
If you wanted to learn a little more about the company, and myself, you've come to the right place. I am a first-generation immigrant from Singapore, a newlywed to my loving husband Matt (we met at Coachella!), and a scent-sensitive migraine girlie.
I have been sufferer of migraines (or "migraine attacks", as the migraine community calls them, but forgive me if I just say "migraines" for short) since I was 11 years old, and have lots of triggers, like too much sun/bright lights, not enough sleep or water, having any alcohol or caffeine... the list goes on. One of my triggers is actually strong scents, which is extremely unfortunate, as I love fragrance!
During the pandemic, I decided (like many others) to start learning how to make candles. While this is still fun for me (and I might launch a candle line in the future, who knows?!), I realized that inhaling so much fragrance really bothered me and caused frequent migraines. I wondered if I should suffer for my art to create a product that I was proud of!
In 2023, I also picked up a new hobby of doing my nails at home to help with my mental health. I needed a self-care activity that would stimulate my brain (I just can't lie around with a sheet mask dripping down my neck!), but also feel like I was being crafty or artistic at the same time. I always enjoyed doing my own nails with nail polish while growing up, but it really only was last year when I started getting more serious about it.
Gel, dip, press-ons, regular polish, I played with it all! I did eventually damage my own nails from over-filing and improper removal, so I have since been on a journey to heal them and grow them out again.
I mainly use regular polish now, and cuticle oil was the one thing that really changed the game for me in terms of nail care! So, ever the DIYer, I started making my own cuticle oils, with skin-loving plant oils that really nourished my cuticles, nails and skin, and I researched the most effective extracts to add in that would promote nail growth, flexibility and health. I went through many prototypes, as seen here!
The best part? l scented them in the amazing fragrances that I was originally going to use for my candles (plus more, of course!), so I could find a way to enjoy them again. They are not so strong that they trigger my migraines, but if they do, I can easily wash it off and give my nose and head a break.
I gave some to friends to try and they all loved it and encouraged me to launch my own line of cuticle oils, so here we are. I'm really proud of my formula and know that it works! These same friends have all sent me photos of how long their nails have grown since using my cuticle oil, when previously their nails were weak, brittle or peeling.
Anyway, long story short, here at Hint we believe two things:
- Taking the time for self-care (and in our case, hand care) is essential for your mental health
- Everyone should be able to enjoy fragrance, even if you're scent-sensitive.
Our brand name Hint is a nod to my fragrance sensitivity, so it's just a hint of fragrance. For the rest of it, well, I love the universe, galaxies, cosmos and I named my flagship product "Cosmic Oil" because I think it's out-of-this-world!
I'm so thankful you're here and hope you'll love my products! I'm happy to answer any questions and hear any feedback (use the Contact Us page to get in touch).
Wishing you happy cuticles,
Holly :)
