In the Black community, we take great pride in presenting ourselves to the world in unique ways that feel good. Whether honoring ancestral traditions or innovating with new styles, our fashion reflects the complexity of our essence and culture. Due to the unique textures on one head alone, styling and maintenance can be a challenge in this increasingly busy world of ours. A variety of hair extensions and wigs offer stress-free and low-maintenance options that protect the hair while offering new and exciting opportunities to change things up.
Today, we express ourselves freely, though it comes with a hefty price tag. Oftentimes, cultural expression has been viewed as a threat in times of social unrest, leaving people afraid to live. The Louisiana Tignon Law of 1786 is a perfect example of how our skin, hair, and clothes have been the center of much speculation and policing; arguably, since time immemorial. With similar laws sweeping the nation and even the world, we have still found ways to innovate and celebrate our uniqueness. Thankfully, we've evaded the times when our style was ordained by law, despite some residual judgment from loved ones and colleagues alike. Being that our mere existence has caused such a frenzy for centuries, Black women continue to show up boldly, loving ourselves and encouraging others to do the same!
A Hair Care Crisis
After we appeared to master the art of self-expression with vibrant hair colors and styles, elaborate nails, and accessories to match, a new storm was brewing. Recent studies have found that some of these beloved beauty enhancements come with a plethora of side effects. Braiding hair has allowed Black women to get creative with their braided and twisted hairstyles. Relaxers have been popular for decades, making our hair more “manageable” for daily wear and styling. But after a National Institute of Health (NIH) 2022 study found that several popular relaxer brands contained carcinogens, their reliability came into question. There is an ongoing class action lawsuit, and we’ve seen a subsequent rise in natural hair styling options.
However, this new search for trusted hair styling go-tos has come with some murky discoveries. While many women have returned to natural hairstyles, hair wefts and extensions have soared in popularity. According to a Consumer Reports study, 100% of the braiding hair tested on the market was found to contain cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting chemicals. With many women, again, of all races, donning these extensions for several hours, multiple times a week, if not for weeks on end, they are blindly participating in the deterioration of their health.
One of many setups used at a salon to make the styling go smoother for both client and stylist.Fortunately, since 2020 alone, several women entrepreneurs have risen, entering the STEM field to formulate healthier synthetic hair alternatives and reclaim ownership in the hair industry. With beauty and hair care being such fundamental parts of self-care for Black women, we make up approximately 12% of beauty industry revenue, with only about 2% of brands being by and for Black consumers. These women, however, have taken a stand to bridge these economic gaps and improve synthetic hair quality for all.
The Brands Reshaping the Hair Industry
Tare Robinson Korumene of Nigeria has been turning plantain stems into beautiful and silky hair extensions under her growing startup, DUNNALLY Hair. Her products sell for about $7/pack though they are priced in naira, the currency used in her home of Nigeria. Korumene is adamant in her call to action, encouraging us to not only make the more sustainable choice for our health, but to improve our economic standing by supporting our communities. Robinson’s company, ECO Fip, also features eco-friendly textiles made from the same materials, showcasing the limitless potential of her sustainable goods.
The Rebundle brand by Ciara Imani May features the braidBetter product, offering customers several color options of plant-based and hypoallergenic synthetic hair. The site is filled with exciting tips and resources for hairstylists and clients alike. The Rebundle products are made from the fibers of banana stems, creating a durable and silky extension that rivals some of the highest quality human hair. With bundles starting at $36/pack, they are washable and reusable, making these well worth the investment.
Liliana Augusta of Liliana Augusta Beauty, or LAB, is on a similar mission to bring sustainable, plant-based, and affordable bundles of hair to the masses. Her Hair Without Harm features several colors of synthetic braiding hair starting at $30/bundle, free of plastics, chemicals, and animal byproducts.
A woman is seated, getting extensions added to her hair in a twisted style.The Nourie brand goes a step beyond the traditional practice of coating synthetic hair in harmful chemicals that damage the hair and scalp. Instead, Nourie has coated their tresses in plant-derived ingredients that actually nourish the scalp, supporting long-term hair health. These 2-pack bundles start at $32 with an emphasis on low-heat, braiding, and twisting techniques.
Ruka hair is another synthetic braiding hair that has been formulated by Black scientists without the harmful chemicals used in traditional braiding hair. Ruka features hair care products and sets of braiding hair starting at $16/pack. The brand also has a selection of clip-ins, wigs, and hair bundles ranging from $130 - $478. Deeply rooted in cultural dignity and the sustainable future of Black hair care, Ruka offers consumers safe and culturally relevant solutions.
The Slayyy hair brand, by Diann Valentine, is a super affordable option available at several national retailers and in their digital store. Valentine’s product takes synthetic hair and, using her Slayyy Secret Sauce, processes it in a much safer and healthier way, leaving braiders and their clients with colorful, lightweight, irritation-free hair to suit their style needs. At about $7 a pack, the Slayyy extensions make safer haircare more affordable.
With several brands on the rise with a shared mission to improve hair care quality, the future of hair care is in good hands.
