Design Essentials
The flagship salon-professional line, born in 1990.
The science
of textured
hair.
McBride Research Laboratories is the family-owned company behind the Design Essentials family of brands. Since 1990 we have formulated professional-grade hair care, reaching salons and retail shelves in the United States and, through our distributor network, more than 30 countries.
1990
Founded in an Atlanta basement
30+
Countries served by distributors
25,000+
Stylists in the salon network
6
Professional hair-care lines
The science, kept in one family One lab.
One lab.
One family.
Since 1990.
For thirty-five years the science has stayed in one family. What began in an Atlanta basement now reaches stylists and shelves across the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe, still guided by the family that started it.
Our brands
A family of textured-hair-care lines.
Every line is developed for a distinct need in textured and natural hair, then carried to salons, retail, and distributors worldwide.
Design Essentials Natural
The retail natural-hair line, on mass shelves since 2011.
Wave by Design
Grooming and definition for waves and short styles.
Therapeutics Rx
Treatment-minded care with nourishing vitamins and proteins.
pHusion
Part of the McBride Research Laboratories family of lines.
Colaura
Demi-permanent conditioning hair color, shade by shade.
The company behind the brands
35
Years family-owned, formulating textured-hair science from an Atlanta basement since 1990.
Cornell McBride Sr., a registered pharmacist, started the company in 1990. Today the second generation leads: Cornell McBride Jr., with Sholanda, Andre, and Harriet McBride. Every bottle still carries the initials S.A.M., a tribute to Sheila McBride, and purple has remained a signature color ever since.
Read the full history Where we go from here
Built for professionals and partners.
For
professionals
More than 25,000 stylists carry the lines. We pair premium formulas with salon education, backed by the Pro Shop and the salon locator.
For stylists and salonsDistribution
& wholesale
A direct-distribution model reaching mass retail (Target, Walmart, Sally Beauty, Ulta) and distributors across the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Distributor inquiries Community & impact
$1,000,000
In December 2024 we gave one million dollars to Howard University's School of Business to establish the Design Essentials Community Fund, supporting pitch competitions, mentorship, and scholarships. We also support kidney research in Sheila McBride's honor.
Apex Business of the Year, DeKalb Chamber Bronner Bros. ICON Awards Family owned
Let's talk.
McBride Research Laboratories, Inc.
2272 Park Central Boulevard
Decatur, GA 30035
DeKalb County, metro Atlanta
Send a message
2272 Park Central Boulevard
Decatur, GA 30035
DeKalb County, metro Atlanta
Send a message