THE CANADIAN PRESS

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

TORONTO - Kate Hudson didn't hesitate before diving headfirst into her new venture away from the silver screen.

Enlarge Photo

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Allan Zepeda/NBC

Actress Kate Hudson, right, and Rachel Zoe pose at the launch party for Bravo's "The Rachel Zoe Project" held at the Gramercy Park Hotel on Sept. 4, 2008.

But the actress admits she had her share of bad hair days in the early development stages of an eco-friendly hair-care line with friend and hairstylist David Babaii, who used Hudson as his test subject.

"There was one time where there was a conditioner that literally like turned my hair, like, it was like the driest it had ever been in its life," she recalled as she and Babaii were interviewed Friday. "I was like, 'David, conditioners are supposed to hydrate!"

"Literally, my hair is like straw."'

Hudson said the kinks were all eventually ironed out, and the end result of the two-year long process is David Babaii for WildAid, an Earth-friendly line of shampoos, conditioners and other styling aids free of sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, animal products and animal testing.

Hudson, who has worked with Babaii for almost a decade, said the star hairstylist had always wanted to do a line and asked her if she wanted to collaborate.

She said it was important to create natural products that were accessible to the masses.

"I think there are amazing people out there who really do the work to make sure that people are making protecting the environment a priority," she said.

"For me as a mother and a young woman, I think that it's time to just start making sure that we're taking the steps as much as we can to be a part of a community that is about preserving our world."

"I've never liked people preaching to me about anything. I don't want anybody sort of shoving things down my throat," she added.

"But when it comes to saving the environment and where we are and what we need to do universally, I think it just is sort of what we need to start doing and if I can be a part of that in any way, that's my goal."

Part of paying it forward involves giving 10 per cent of the proceeds to WildAid, a global wildlife conservation organization.

"I grew up with 'Always give 10 per cent back."' Hudson said. "That's sort of my mom's motto, and I believe it should be like that for everything."

Hudson and Babaii are currently facing legal action concerning the line. California corporation 220 Laboratories filed a lawsuit late last month alleging the idea of using volanic ash, an ingredient used in the line, was stolen, and is suing on various complaints including fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of contract.

Representatives for Hudson have said they believe the claims are "baseless and without merit" and intend to "vigorously defend the lawsuit."

-

On The Net:

David Babaii for WildAid: http://www.db4wildaid.com