When you first start your hair journey there are almost always skeptics and naysayers. The misconception that black women can’t grow long hair is a myth that should have been put to bed long ago.
With proper precautions taken, the goal is achievable. A simple comment as “You wash your hair too much” is already aggravating enough. Meanwhile, I’m thinking these people should mind their own business. However, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
It goes to a whole other level when people have the nerve to ask me why I use white products in my hair. Excuse me, but umm, did you actually just say that? As I try to hide my look of disgust and confusion to such a question, I have to realize how one can come to a conclusion like that.
The stereotype
I’ll admit I have been guilty of this in the past. We all know the small “black hair section” we are granted in Walmart stores and Sally Beauty Supply.
Before I went on my hair journey, I was informed that if it was not Pink Lotion or Dr. Miracles, then I shouldn’t be using it.
That could not be any further from the truth. The fact that the stereotype goes “African Americans should use products that are geared towards them and Caucasians should do the same,” is really limiting when you think about it. Yes, stereotypes will not be going anywhere, anytime soon, but this one in particular is quite outlandish and I’m surprised it is even a thing at all.
Supporting black owned businesses
Just because it is made for “Black Hair”, does not mean it is black owned. Those are the cold hard facts and the truth will set you free! Originally, I was under the assumption that I was supporting the cause, when purchasing Luster’s and SoftSheen Carson products.
Little did I know, these are not black owned companies. Although at first glance, it may look like they are or maybe at one point they were. I believe it is safe to say that if they were, they no longer are.
thanks for the article and yes Softsheen and Lusters were formerly black owned ( I think I saw these as sponsors on some of those vintage Soul Train episodes!) Whatever works is what is best
I had the best hair growth and healthiest hair when I used Pantene shampoo and conditioner along with a VO5 hot oil treatment.
Pantene used to be my best friend til they changed the formula….
Pantene broke my hair off real bad
That VO5! Wht did we stop using that liquid GOLD?? Lol!
Ask them why they get a degree in ignorant questions! ✌
When I was relaxed, I looked at the picture on the box. Now that I am natural, I just want to know what your claim is! Don’t even want to see a picture. I am looking for ‘tame frizz’ and ‘moisture’. And I do gravitate towards the ethnic hair section because those are the products I like. I love my Shea Butter and that is where it is.
I think of hair differences by texture and not race. What works for a curly girl may not work on my kinks and coils. I really just go with what my hair likes. If I see a recommendation, I will give it a try no matter whose hair it was meant for. What I don’t understand is why hair products that are geared towards us are so dang expensive. I bought 5 products and spent $60 at Target! The good part is that I have been trying products for years and nothing moisturized my hair. I sat on the floor in Target and read all the labels and chose these 5 things and wow, it worked! Hair is moisturized like never before. Now the hard part is going to be finding out which really is the product working because I used a little of all of them. On another note, marketing people know black folks spend money on their hair and that is why all of these companies have jumped on the “natural hair” bandwagon.
For a period of time I only had limited access to black products so had to use what I thought was appropriate as per the ingredients and my desired results, and I found they worked better than half of the products I have on my dresser.
I don’t necessarily disagree with this point of view, however I do believe the article should be supported with facts and references. It will take more than your shock and dismay at black people to sway my opinion.
I just always figured that hair products geared towards Blacks were heavier and contained more oils, which is why they’re supposedly more suited for us. I recall a white classmate back in high school saying she tried Dark and Lovely shampoo and complained it made her hair sticky lol
I’m so glad that you wrote this because I never understood why people would ask me the same thing. Sure I’ll support black owned products as long as they work. I never saw products other than relaxers as a white black type of product. It wasn’t until I literally 4 years ago that it was so in my face. Just give me something that tames frizz, helps to detangle and moisturizes; I’m good to go after that.
Aussie moist conditioner is the BEST! I’ve used it for 3 years and have amazing results (I mix it with baking soda and coconut oil). I save a ton of money because it’s cheap and comes in larger bottle sizes. I would rather pocket my savings than pay more and lose money just because some other product is supposedly for “black hair”.
I like this Article, whether generated by “shock or facts”. On a side note I like being natural for more than one reason, one being education. I know more about hair and product ingredients than I thought possible.
I like supporting black owned businesses, For Us By US. But I never knew that a lot of these brands I was supporting from my relaxer days were not black owned until i went back to being natural. Also, I used to stay away from brands like L’Oréal and bought only black hair marketed products. I end up with dryer hair than I started with when I used my $12 conditioner versus one bought for $3. And mind you, cheap doesn’t equal bad.
As the article said, even if marketed for a monkey’s uncle but has the right ingredients and works, why not?