Wella AG is a German company specializing in hair care, styling, colorants, and other beauty products, and was founded in 1880 in Germany by Franz Ströher.

[4] On July 18, 2023, Coty agreed to sell an approximate 3.6% stake in Wella to investment firm IGF Wealth Management for US$150 million.

In the 1930s Wella developed the first hair dryers with built-in motors and movable tubes that allowed head movement during the drying process.

The company suffered under the National Socialist regime due to the Nazi's economic policy and their restrictions on raw-material supplies, along with wartime conditions.

During the Second World War, the Wella plant in Apolda was used to manufacture ventilation systems and equipment for submarines, no longer producing their permanent wave machines and hair dryers.

[6] After World War II, the German Democratic Republic dismantled the Wella plant in Apolda as part of the reparations plan enacted by the Soviet Union.

The Ströher family and some members of staff decided to start the business again from scratch on a smaller scale in Hünfeld, Osthessen under the name Ondal GmbH.

Production began again in 1946 with the new business being registered as Wella AG in 1950 with the central management of the company located in Darmstadt, Hessen in West Germany.

Throughout the 50s and 60s the company followed an aggressive campaign in international markets within developing countries such as Chile, Brazil, the Asian and Pacific territories as well as various parts of Africa.

After the reunification of Germany, in February 1990 the Rothenkirchen plant was reintegrated into Wella, forming a joint venture with Londa to produce and market hairdressing products throughout Europe.

The advertising campaign featured the stars of TV show Charlie's Angels: Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd.