Introducing Ioli – Curated with Intention to Nourish your Roots
Introducing ioli, a hair oil crafted in the Hudson Valley, and curated with intention to nourish your roots, scalp and hair. Founder, Melissa Arpino goes into detail about what inspired her to launch ioli and what makes it so unique below!
What is the inspiration behind ioli?
Ioli was born out of necessity when I couldn’t find a hair oil that truly did it all. I wanted something lightweight, scalp-friendly, nut-free, and made entirely of real oils. Everything I found was either an emulsion disguised as an oil or filled with silicones—and often way overpriced. I kept going back to what I knew worked, but I wanted something more intentional, elevated, and versatile. I started playing around with different oils and fell in love with the process. Ioli is rooted in tradition, but designed for today.
How did the name ioli come to fruition?
The name “ioli” is taken from the second half of the Italian word riccioli, which means “curls.” I wanted something that embraced my heritage and the Mediterranean roots of the formula. I was looking for a name that felt soft, simple, and unique, and ioli just felt right.
Why hair oil?
Hair oiling has been part of my beauty routine for as long as I can remember. I used to use olive oil and coconut oil to hydrate and moisturize my curls. Across generations and cultures, oiling has always been a trusted ritual for scalp care, growth, shine, and strength. But so many modern “hair oils” are filled with silicones or nut oils that don’t work for everyone. Ioli is my way of honoring that ritual while making it cleaner, more inclusive, and more refined.
What makes ioli so unique?
Ioli is 100% oil—no water, no fillers, no silicones. It’s nut-free, which is rare and a must for me, and every ingredient was carefully chosen for both scalp and hair benefits. It’s a true multi-use product: a scalp treatment, a glossing oil, and a post-wash styling finish. Ioli is made fresh in small batches in upstate New York. It feels like skincare for your hair—and it looks beautiful on the shelf. Ioli is a “less is more” approach that embraces natural texture, softness, and a healthy relationship with frizz.
Can you describe the process from idea to bottle?
It started with a list of what I didn’t want: no nuts, no silicones, no unnecessary fluff. From there, I researched traditional oils and explored modern extraction methods to find ingredients that were both gentle and effective. I combined everything I knew about hair oiling, porosity, and scalp health to create a formula that could work across hair types. Once I felt confident in the blend, I sent samples to friends and testers. After about a year of feedback and testing across hundreds of people from hair types 1A to 4C, I knew we had something special. I designed the packaging to feel beautiful, minimal, and functional. Every part of Ioli—from the ingredients to the name to the bottle, was created with intention and love.
What are three words you would use to describe ioli?
Warm. Intentional. Rooted.
What is your favorite way to use ioli?
I love using it as a pre-shower scalp treatment. I’ll massage it in, leave it on while I do my skincare or make coffee, and rinse it out before washing. It’s such a grounding ritual—and my scalp always feels refreshed and balanced afterward. I also use it daily on my ends to help prevent split ends and breakage. This helps my curls stay defined and I’m able to stretch the time in between haircuts.
