What do you get when you combine a global pop icon with the wellness entrepreneur who built one of Australia’s most beloved beauty brands? TYPEBEA — the viral haircare line co-founded by Rita Ora and Vida Glow creator Anna Lahey that’s got everyone’s scalp doing a happy dance. Born from real hair struggles (bleach damage, hair loss, and a whole lot of bad extension days), the brand has exploded onto Sephora shelves across 22 countries — and as of March 27th, it’s finally landing at Sephora Canada. We sat down with Anna to talk growth serums, great hair days, and why this is just the beginning.
TYPEBEA is launching with Sephora Canada this month, what does this retail partnership represent for the brand?
AL: Sephora has been such an important part of our journey from the very beginning. We launched with Sephora in both Australia and the UK when we first introduced TYPEBEA, so partnering with Sephora Canada feels like a natural and meaningful next step for us. Our hero product, the G·1 Overnight Boosting Peptide, quickly became the number one hair serum at Sephora Australia, which really confirmed for us that we had found the right retail partner, one whose customers are educated, ingredient-conscious and looking for real results. Sephora is the global authority on beauty, and their customers expect the very best.
With Canada’s varied climate, from harsh winters to humid summers, are there specific product benefits you felt would particularly resonate with the Canadian consumers?
AL: Canada’s climate presents real challenges for hair. Extreme cold can strip the hair of hydration, while humidity in the warmer months amplifies concerns like frizz and dullness. But at the same time, some hair concerns are universal. One in two women will experience hair loss at some point in their life, whether that’s related to stress, lifestyle, postpartum changes or perimenopause. Damage is also consistently reported as the number one global hair concern, and harsh weather conditions only intensify breakage and dehydration. At TYPEBEA, we focus on performance-backed solutions that address the core of hair health, strengthening the hair fibre, supporting scalp health and protecting against environmental stress, so consumers feel supported no matter the season.
Photo provided by: ZAK Communications
There’s been a shift toward treating hair more like skincare. How do you balance science-backed formulas with products that still feel easy to use?
AL: I’ve loved watching the “skinification” of haircare unfold. The scalp is skin, and while it’s a different environment to your face, it’s still the foundation of strong, healthy hair growth. That’s why we’ve incorporated ingredients you might recognise from your favourite skincare products like hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, squalane and ceramides into our formulations. But for us, usability and experience come second only to performance. The product absolutely has to work, but it also has to feel effortless and enjoyable to use, because real results require consistency. Our G·1 serum, for example, is water-based and completely traceless in the hair, so you can use it morning or night, on clean or styled hair, without disrupting your routine.
Not only are you preparing for this brand launch, but you are also expecting your fifth child in a couple months! How has motherhood shaped your leadership style?
AL: I know, sometimes I wonder why I do this to myself! But motherhood has been the most transformative experience of my life. It changed everything about me. I became softer, more empathetic and much more aware of the example I wanted to set, not just for my children, but for my team and the wider community of women around me. There’s something incredibly powerful about the bonds formed between women during motherhood, the way we share advice, support each other and learn from one another. That sense of connection has shaped how I lead: with compassion, openness and a deep respect for the different seasons of life we’re all navigating.
Photo provided by: ZAK Communications
At this stage of growth, both business and personal, what does success look like for you over the next year?
AL: On a personal level, success looks like being present. I’m so looking forward to soaking up every second of the newborn phase and honestly, getting through each day with five children will feel like a win!
From a business perspective, we have incredible momentum and we’re determined to continue building on that. There has been so much hard work behind TYPEBEA to date, and we’re focused on driving innovation, expanding our range and bringing the brand to even more people globally. For me, success next year is about growth in every sense; nurturing my family while continuing to build a brand that genuinely makes a difference in people’s lives. As for the specifics, all I can say is stay tuned.
