Q&A: Paul Mitchell Pro Surfer Malia Manuel

What's the secret to pro surfer Malia Manuel's effortless, sunkissed, sea-tousled look? Well, it might have something to do with being a pro surfer from Hawaii, but we asked her about her beauty and wellness secrets anyway! Here's what she had to say:

Tell us about your basic health and beauty regimen.

Growing up in Kauai and being close to the ocean, I always ate a lot of fish and veggies, a pretty clean diet. We have amazing fish in Hawaii, and also great farmer's markets. It's fun to go to them and make green juices and smoothies.

With beauty, I try to find the most natural products that smell good and work with my hair and skin. Everybody's so unique, everyone needs different things. I've experimented with different products to find what works for me. Oh, and good sunscreen is key!

Image: @maliamanuel, @coconutcomradery

How do you take care of your hair when it's constantly exposed to the elements?

Of course, I don't shampoo every day, I try to keep my hair a little bit oily. I like to use hair oil on the ends to keep them not-so-fried. And I love using hair masks when I'm in the sauna. I can't wait to try the new Tea Tree Lavender Mint Deep Conditioning Hair Mask.

What's your favorite Tea Tree scent?

The original—Tea Tree Special! Tea Tree is one of my favorite scents; it's so cleansing. Tea Tree in the sauna is the best!

What about wellness and inner wellbeing? How do you stay centered?

I focus on staying connected to my community, friends, mentors, etc. Every day I focus on my sport and trying to get better at it, which keeps me growing as a person. My whole day really revolves around my passion for surfing, and that's what keeps me centered.

What's your go-to look?

Minimal, clean, natural. My makeup look is very clean. And I'm always surfing in a bun. I'm that girl with the knot on her head!

Catch Malia on Tea Tree's Instagram!