From the vibrant outskirts of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to the bustling, multicultural heart of London, Glaysson Carvalho has carried with him a story of resilience, creativity, and love. For over 15 years, he has built a career as a hairstylist, mentor, and now founder of Lyla Smooth Premium Hair Care — a brand that blends the richness of Brazilian expertise with the needs of European clients.
His story is not just about beauty products. It is about migration, identity, and legacy. At its heart, it is also about family — and the remarkable influence of his parents, both of whom were blind, and his late mother Ana Marília, lovingly remembered as “Lyla.”
In this conversation, Glaysson reflects on his journey, his philosophy, and why haircare can be a powerful act of heritage and pride.
Glaysson, let’s begin with your early life. What was it like growing up in Brazil?
I grew up in Belo Horizonte, a busy city in Brazil, but my home life was unique. Both my parents were blind. That shaped everything about how I saw the world — literally and emotionally. From a young age, I had to take on responsibilities that other children maybe didn’t. But it also gave me empathy and patience. My parents taught me resilience, the importance of care, and how to see strength where others might only see struggle.
I think that’s one of the reasons I became drawn to hairdressing. It’s such a personal profession — you’re not just styling hair, you’re caring for someone, helping them feel seen and valued. That’s something I learnt from my parents every day.
When did you first discover your passion for hair?
I always loved the creativity of it. At first it was something I did informally, helping friends, experimenting. But then I realised how powerful it could be. When someone sits in your chair, you have the chance to transform not only how they look but how they feel about themselves. That was addictive in the best way — making people walk out taller, happier, more confident.
Eventually, I trained professionally and opened my own salon. Today I run CG Hair Studio here in London, where I still work as a stylist. I never wanted to give up that one-to-one connection with clients because that’s what keeps me grounded.
You moved to the UK and have lived in London for many years now. How did that transition influence your career?
Moving to London was both exciting and difficult. The city is so diverse, and I had the chance to work with people from all different backgrounds. That was a gift because it pushed me to adapt my techniques and expand my understanding of hair.
But it was also challenging. I noticed quickly that many of the Brazilian products I had relied on didn’t perform the same way here. The water is harder, the weather is colder, and people have different routines. For example, in Brazil, people wash their hair more often because of the heat. In Europe, it’s not always the same. So treatments I knew were excellent back home just didn’t last as well here.
That’s when I started thinking: why not create something that bridges both worlds?
And that became Lyla Smooth?
Yes. I developed Lyla Smooth Premium Hair Care to solve a real problem. I wanted to create treatments that offered the same professional results I grew up with in Brazil but adapted for European conditions. That meant thinking about ingredients differently, using organic technology, and designing formulas that could withstand the realities of British and European climates.
At the heart of it was one principle: never compromise on health. Too many treatments rely on harsh chemicals. I wanted Lyla Smooth to be about nourishment as well as beauty — products that protect, strengthen, and smooth without damaging the hair.
What makes Lyla Smooth different?
Two things: the ingredients and the philosophy. Our products are free from aggressive agents, instead enriched with plant-based proteins and extracts. They deliver shine and smoothness, but also integrity — because hair health comes first.
We’ve developed two main lines. The Professional Line is for salons, designed to give stylists the tools they need to create amazing results with confidence. Then there’s the Aftercare Line, for clients at home, so they can prolong those results. It’s infused with argan oil and has this beautiful passion fruit fragrance — very Brazilian in spirit!
But beyond the formulas, I think what really makes us different is the connection. Lyla Smooth isn’t just a brand. It’s a tribute, a community, and a promise.
The name is a tribute to your mother. Can you tell us more about her?
My mother, Ana Marília — or Lyla, as we called her — was an extraordinary woman. She was blind, but she lived with so much love and dignity. She gave me strength and inspiration. When she passed away, I knew I wanted to honour her somehow.
So I named the brand after her. The logo, which I also have as a tattoo, represents her presence in everything I do. Every product that carries her name is more than a business creation — it’s a piece of her legacy. For me, Lyla Smooth is love turned into something tangible, something that can make people feel good about themselves.
You also run training and workshops. Why was that important to you?
I’ve always believed in sharing knowledge. For me, success isn’t just about what I can achieve but what I can help others achieve. That’s why I run training sessions for stylists who want to use Lyla Smooth.
We cover everything: product knowledge, techniques, and also business confidence. Many hair professionals work long hours and face challenges balancing creativity with making a living. I want to support them not just technically but personally, to build their confidence and create communities of support.
Hair is such a powerful subject in Black and diaspora communities. How do you see Lyla Smooth fitting into that bigger picture?
Hair is identity. For Afro-Brazilian and Afro-European people, it’s not just styling — it’s culture, history, even politics. I think about how hair was seen historically, how certain textures were discriminated against, and how movements for natural hair and cultural pride have reclaimed that space.
So when I developed Lyla Smooth, I wanted it to respect that heritage. It’s not about forcing one look but about giving people the choice — whether they want smoothness, curls, or colour, it should always be healthy, dignified, and beautiful. I see it as a way of empowering people to express themselves fully.
This year’s Black History Month theme is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.” How does that resonate with you?
For me, it’s everything. Standing firm is what I had to do when I moved countries, when I faced challenges, when I tried to build something new. Pride is what I feel when I look at my parents’ legacy, my mother’s memory, and the brand I’ve created in her honour.
It’s not always easy, but standing firm means believing in yourself even when others doubt you. And pride is about recognising the strength of our heritage — Brazilian, Black, immigrant — and showing that to the world without apology.
What do you hope people take away from Lyla Smooth?
I hope they feel care. Whether it’s a stylist using the professional line in their salon or a client maintaining their look at home, I want them to know this brand was created with love and intention. It’s about elevating beauty, but also honouring heritage and health.
And I hope they feel inspired. If someone sees my journey — from growing up in Brazil with two blind parents, to building a life and career in London, to creating a brand — and thinks, “If he can do it, maybe I can too,” then I’ve done something worthwhile.
Discover more at: www.lylasmooth.co.uk
Instagram: @lyla_smooth | @glaysson.rc