When we found out that EVOLVh haircare Founder Boris Oak was willing to be interviewed for our Girl Talk series, we got a little giddy. He’s a son of a hairdresser who grew up in a family run salon that operated for 30+ years—so you know he’s got some insider knowledge. Hence the killer efficacy of EVOLVh (you’ve read our review, right?). So, this edition of Girl Talk is actually GUY Talk. Enjoy!

Thanks to EVOLVh for sponsoring this post.

Growing up, Boris’ mom was a nutritionist and a health food store junkie, which inspired him to care about health and wellness from a very young age. He eventually became the managing director of his family-owned salon, and in turn, obsessed with hair products and their impact on hair, people and ultimately on the world.

Enter EVOLVh, one of our favorite better beauty haircare brands, for so. many. reasons. I mean, if it were a life or death situation and I had to pick just one favorite from EVOLVh, I literally couldn’t. It’s a 100% tossup between their SuperFinish Polishing Balm and their UltraShine Moisture Shampoo. 

My deep love for these products made me eager to catch up with Boris, and learn more about the guy behind the brand. Keep reading for his thoughts on entrepreneurship, and which products are his MUST HAVES.

What are your first 30 minutes like every morning?

Lemon water, followed by coffee—preferably hand-pressed espresso using a Flair, using freshly roasted beans from Ritual roasters in San Francisco. And a podcast playing in the background.

What’s your morning skincare routine?

It’s a simple 3 steps: Cleanse with Tata Harper Regenerative Cleanser, Moisturize with RUVI Age-Defying Glow Serum, SPF with Eleven Sun Serum.

Do you wear makeup? What’s your #1 go-to makeup product?

Not yet, except for an occasional tiny dab of concealer if on camera.

What’s your typical breakfast?

I practice intermittent fasting, so my first actual meal isn’t until the afternoon. But I do start my day with a tablespoon of grass-fed butter in my coffee, and it powers me until lunch. Good butter is amazing. Our understanding of the important positive role of healthy fats in our diet has evolved tremendously over the last 5 to 10 years.

Are you a coffee or tea drinker?

Both, and a self-admitted connoisseur.

What’s your exercise routine?

I hit the gym daily, 20 min of cardio followed by a 30-minute weight training circuit and 20 minutes of infrared sauna. The sauna is very anti-inflammatory and restorative, and raising our core body temperature gives a major boost to our immune system. I can’t recommend it enough and its the most important part of my practice.

Can you share your playlist?

LCD Sound System, Rufus Du Sol, Rodriguez Jr.

What natural deodorant works for you?

Taos AER …it’s perfection!

Favorite podcast(s)?

The Tim Ferris Show, This Week in Start Ups, Glossy, Indie Hackers.

What’s a book that’s rocked your world?

Blink.

What’s been the hardest part about entrepreneurship?

Practicing patience and learning to lean into my natural strengths as opposed to being weighed down by my weaknesses.

Favorite health resource?

The Peter Attia Drive podcast.

Favorite or go-to healthy dinner recipe?

Arugula salad with a side of fish or other lean, healthy protein. And I love green juice, a glass a day, every day, is ideal.

What’s one product that everyone needs to try?

Taos AER deodorant, it’s just so good. And of course, our UltraShine Shampoo—there’s really, truly, nothing quite like it and makes shampooing with anything else nearly impossible. (Lisa’s note: We concur!)

What’s your evening skincare routine?

Tata Harper Regenerative Cleanser and RUVI Age-Defying Glow Serum. It’s a simple routine, but the way my skin feels when I wake up is incredible.

Do you have a favorite skincare ingredient?

Vitamin E—seems basic but it is so vital to healthy, nourished skin.

What’s on your nightstand?

Books that I don’t finish. 🙂

What’s your guilty pleasure?

An entire hot sunny day, on a lounge under an umbrella at the beach. From 10 am until sunset, ideally. 🙂

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten or given?

To innovate, you must give yourself room to fail. The more willing we are to risk failure, the more likely we are to succeed. Failure is actually our friend and a key to success in virtually everything.

Thanks for sharing, Boris!