Lloyd Bell

Lloyd A. Bell is a cosmetic research chemist who started his career with Redken Laboratories in the early 1970s while formulating hair care products and studying the field of trichology. Major bench formulation accomplishments led to a Redken patent in acid permanent waves for hair.

Studies at Redken Labs were the forerunners to Bell's invention of "Curly Kit" for Pro-Line Corp, which was the first retail permanent wave for African-Americans which Pro-Line mass marketed with tremendous success during the era.

Bell added expertise to his repertoire while employed also at Max Factor & Company in Hollywood, CA. It was here that chemist Bell began formulating skin care products and facial cosmetics. Again, he was instrumental in Max Factor also adding another (eyeshadow) of many patents to their already extensive list.

Bell later helped the African-American company Worlds of Curls diversify its line of hair products with the addition of facial cosmetics. Bell created an entire line of custom cosmetic items, including eye shadow, blush, eyeliners, liquid makeup, lipsticks and mascara for Women of Colour. This creation involved sourcing raw materials (chemical ingredients), containers, as well as production equipment and training of personnel who only knew hair care regimens up to that point.

Bell is possibly best known for his most recent invention in 1999 of shampoos and conditioners, under the brand Nubian Secrets, for the "difficult-to-clean" style of dreadlocks. As Bell puts it, "it's simply a matter of decreasing the surface tension involved between this matted hairstyle ... and the surfactants/cleansers used. This will also allow for great rinsing without leaving residue."