Anyone else HATE the Ethnic Haircare Aisle

[aquajoyice]

I was feeling the same way and just happened to run across the Shea moisture line in Walgreens. I typically roll my eyes but when I started reading these ingredients I ended up buy practically the whole line.

 

[B3e]

Wish products marketed at a particular demographic were not so blatantly distinguished from those of the majority. Everything else seems to be arranged by company...then BAMM! ethnic products of all types bunched up together in a corner.

I mean, is it really necessary to make me leave the shampoo/conditioner aisle and walk over to the other side to the ethnic section pinched between the accessories and nail polish...??!?!

 

[Noir]

YAAAS! The 'ethnic' isle is just ugh.... We have sooo many companies now making wonderful natural products for our hair but they are not being given a chance. The industry is dominated by the companies pumping out the same crap from they were when we were kids. They are not evolving at all.

 

[Noir]

there is a reason why it says gro instead of grow. if it's for human use or something like that a doctor can only assess if it will cause growth. who has time to make sure that snake oil works? Might not make your hair grow...but it will make your hair gro.

Yes they have to comply with FDA labeling laws and listing "grow" on a product will shift it from cosmetic to over the counter drug (OTC). The FDA are very strict about that.

 

[pisceschica]

I didn't really notice the use of the word gro vs. grow.

I hate that isle to. I couldn't help but notice my local walmart shifted their isle around so the "ethnic" section would have a camera on it.

 

[Dposh167]

I hate that isle to. I couldn't help but notice my local walmart shifted their isle around so the "ethnic" section would have a camera on it.

.......its getting real in that isle. You have to start carrying a blade just to get to eco styler gel.

 

[Carisa]

.......its getting real in that isle. You have to start carrying a blade just to get to eco styler gel.

 

[Toy]

Hate it at my walmart mine is hidden at the back of the store in a corner with crappy products.

 

[Aireen]

I don't. I used to but now there's no problem. Why? Well, if you look at it this way, we have our section and white people have theirs. It may seem like we're sectioned off but if you think about it we're not, both races have their own section that supposedly is designated for their hair type/texture.

I do wish our product selection was larger or more consistent in terms of products that are available in drugstores and groceries though.

 

[libertysince05]

I don't even like the fact they call that aisle "ethnic" but the other aisle is just "hair care," as if that is the norm...

And this is the real problem with 'ethnic' aisle. Hair is hair, but the existence of these aisle really other non-white people.
Its like telling you where to shop and what to buy...

 

[orangepeel]

I'm curious if that was Walgreens. I hate how they celebrate Black History month every year by showcasing products that allegedly cater to black people. Yet...99% of the products are owned by white people.

It is a Food Lion.

there is a reason why it says gro instead of grow. if it's for human use or something like that a doctor can only assess if it will cause growth. who has time to make sure that snake oil works? Might not make your hair grow...but it will make your hair gro.

Yes they have to comply with FDA labeling laws and listing "grow" on a product will shift it from cosmetic to over the counter drug (OTC). The FDA are very strict about that.

 

[davisbr88]

Well, if you look at it this way, we have our section and white people have theirs. It may seem like we're sectioned off but if you think about it we're not, both races have their own section that supposedly is designated for their hair type/texture.

Sounds like the same reasoning behind "white" and "colored" water fountains... Separate, but each has their own.
I think that we end up getting screwed either way.
I have seen white girls with curly hair go into the ethnic aisle, talking about, "my hair is nappy so I have to use black products."
Girl, bye.
Because the same mineral oil-laden, denatured alcohol-having, petrolatum-filled crap I'm putting on my so-called "nappy hair" are also in the white section, in a prettier package, and probably cheaper.

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

I don't. I used to but now there's no problem. Why? Well, if you look at it this way, we have our section and white people have theirs. It may seem like we're sectioned off but if you think about it we're not, both races have their own section that supposedly is designated for their hair type/texture.

I do wish our product selection was larger or more consistent in terms of products that are available in drugstores and groceries though.

@Aireen,

Are you serious?! I don't think it's fair to have a her vs her sections in a store. Why do you think this is justifiable?

If you go in any grocery/drugstore the 'white' aisle will showcase a wide array of shampoo, condish, treatments, masks, serums, potions etc.

Go to a 'black' aisle and you're lucky if they have a small corner tucked away. A good store may have a half aisle of 'stuff Just for Me' with usually some black hair coloring, hair combs/brushes and accessories.

I kinda sideye the 'that's just the way it is' type of mentality. Like @Davisbr88 said, that is like the water fountain isssue from the Civil Rights area. "Ya'lls gone and stay on ya'llz side of the aisle now...nothing to see here folk. This here Miss Daisy aisle...ya'lls stuff over dur

 

[30something]

I have no issues with the ethnic aisle, probably because I don't really have high expectations for products that are sold outside of a BSS or a salon. I just wish the black hair products had more appealing designs and colors. They should know by now that we women are suckers for packaging. I bought so much crap b/c of the packaging.. but I'm over that now

 

[SmileyNY]

We have different hair types & different hair needs. If we didn't have an isle of products made especially for us, people would complain about that. I'm not saying all of these products work, but at least there are options.

A lot of "mainstream" hair products work on multiple ethnic hair types... This is why I think of that isle as just the "general" (and not white) hair care isle.

Maybe I'm not as sensitive to this issue b/c I work in advertising. Everything, down to the name of the isle, has been tested and broken down to a science... to sell. If it hadn't been tested & proven that the word "ethnic" appeals to us, it wouldn't be used. If it was more profitable to lump & mix all hair products together, they would.



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[SLOGRO]

It's all about demographics, the majority in the ares. I was once in walgreens strolling the isles, and I over heard some execs telling the store manager that they need to put more hispanic products up front to attract the hispanic people. this area is alot of Jewish and foreign latins on vacation. Since I over heard this they have placed numerous item in plain view up front.

 

[CoilyFields]

I honestly don't have a problem with it. As a matter of fact I was excited back in the day when there began to be an array of products just for us. We got to remember that they are catering to a majority, and the majority of US go straight to that aisle. It sucked when the only "black" product I could find in regular stores was grease, now there's a plethora of products that until I started educating myself about ingredients, I had no problem with. They're giving us what we (majority ) want, products for us specifically, and we show our approval by continuing to buy them. Hopefully there will be enough of us (knowing quality products) to show target that we want them to keep these good products by our constant consumption.

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[Solitude]

I don't have a problem with it.

 

[SND411]

The only problem I have are the crappy products.

If it was filled with Qhemet Biologics, Shea Moisture, Kinky Curly, Oyin, etc for natural ladies and high-quality relaxers for relaxed labels then we would be talking.

I just want the "ethnic" isle to have high quality products.

Oh yeah, and NO blatant misspellings!

 

[Aireen]

@Aireen,

Are you serious?! I don't think it's fair to have a her vs her sections in a store. Why do you think this is justifiable?

If you go in any grocery/drugstore the 'white' aisle will showcase a wide array of shampoo, condish, treatments, masks, serums, potions etc.

Go to a 'black' aisle and you're lucky if they have a small corner tucked away. A good store may have a half aisle of 'stuff Just for Me' with usually some black hair coloring, hair combs/brushes and accessories.

I kinda sideye the 'that's just the way it is' type of mentality. Like @Davisbr88 said, that is like the water fountain isssue from the Civil Rights area. "Ya'lls gone and stay on ya'llz side of the aisle now...nothing to see here folk. This here Miss Daisy aisle...ya'lls stuff over dur

Nasdaq_Diva, I hope my opinion doesn't offend but to be honest, I just don't think it's something I need to hate. I have bigger concerns to worry about than where hair products are in stores and if they're "tucked away" and what not. I don't use many black hair products anyway because the white hair products usually work better for me from what I've tried personally and are more widely available. I think if we didn't have a section, people would be upset about having to go to the BSS for their products since usually travel time is a common complaint when having to make the trip there.

As said previously, I do wish there was a bigger selection since I like to look at products just for fun even if I'm not buying, but I'm going to put energy to hate where hair products in a store are located. When I go to the grocery store, there's an ethnic section, should I get mad at that too because I'm Trinidadian and my food counts as ethnic and is stored in a certain location? No, at the end of the day I'm satisfied that what I represent is featured and if it expands then great but at least I'm out there getting represented.

Asians have their own hair products too but from what I've seen most of the time they're not featured in the mainstream market so they settle for the common Caucasian brands; if they want products that have been specifically designed for their hair, they go to their markets and malls that supply them. Their hair texture is different as well and does have certain needs that the dominant brands on the market may not generally recognize/may overlook because the companies behind these brands would primarily consider their target consumer group as Caucasian. Although, just because a particular hair type has certain needs doesn't mean products designed for Caucasians won't work well.

I know you didn't address everything I'm replying back with but this is a broad response to what I've seen in this thread as a whole. I just don't see the point in getting upset, giving a side eye, etc. when we're at least getting our products out there. I choose not to get upset about every little detail, especially since products like Herbal Essenses, Garnier, etc. have been proven to work on our hair as well as other hair types. It's almost like damned if you do, damned if you don't; if you do, people stay content for a while and then a new problem suddenly arises. Quite frankly, if it's that big of a deal I think it'll all get better in time if someone makes it a point to address their issues and allow for their concerns to be properly presented — and no, not through debate on a hair care forum.

 

[Aireen]

Sounds like the same reasoning behind "white" and "colored" water fountains... Separate, but each has their own.
I think that we end up getting screwed either way.
I have seen white girls with curly hair go into the ethnic aisle, talking about, "my hair is nappy so I have to use black products."
Girl, bye.
Because the same mineral oil-laden, denatured alcohol-having, petrolatum-filled crap I'm putting on my so-called "nappy hair" are also in the white section, in a prettier package, and probably cheaper.

davisbr88

Hm, weren't blacks forced to go to the coloured fountain and weren't allowed to drink from the white fountain? Aren't we allowed to buy products from any area in the present day? I'm sorry, maybe I'm oblivious but I simply don't see the hidden discrimination that apparently exists in where hair products are situated in a grocery store or drug store. erplexed

Also, why does it matter what whites say about their hair and what they have to use? If they feel that way then okay deuces.

 

[ebsalita]

LMAO!
YES!!!! And I hate the fact that we can't ever have products spelled correctly.
It's the only aisle that will list "nu" instead of "new," "gro" instead of "grow," "lite" instead of "light." Lol. I can't stand that!!!! I don't even go to that aisle anymore unless I am in need of a satin scarf.

Literally makes my skin itch when I see stuff like that. Like black folk can't get the message without urbanising or dumbing down the spelling

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

@Nasdaq_Diva, I hope my opinion doesn't offend but to be honest, I just don't think it's something I need to hate. I have bigger concerns to worry about than where hair products are in stores and if they're "tucked away" and what not.

No, offended not at all. I'm enjoying the discussion in this thread - from everyone.

You're comment of their side vs. our side just kinda had me <shrugs> But, carry on. I like your viewpoint

 

[davisbr88]

@davisbr88

Hm, weren't blacks forced to go to the coloured fountain and weren't allowed to drink from the white fountain? Aren't we allowed to buy products from any area in the present day? I'm sorry, maybe I'm oblivious but I simply don't see the hidden discrimination that apparently exists in where hair products are situated in a grocery store or drug store. erplexed

Also, why does it matter what whites say about their hair and what they have to use? If they feel that way then okay deuces.

Obviously it's not a law anymore. I was just thinking of it in terms of how people thought as the background of the law. "They'll get their own, so they can't complain," meanwhile, the colored fountains tended to have some sort of limitation (ie crappy plumbing, broken down, etc). I feel the same way about the ethnic aisle. It is so limiting, and despite the fact that a lot of the white products contain the same ingredients, ours are usually more expensive, have less nice packaging, smells, etc. That's the point of why I brought up the white girl with the curly hair that I've heard say she had to use black products. The stuff is the same, but for some reason we have to be separate, as if her hair is going to benefit so much better from the mineral oil-filled black product as opposed to the mineral oil-filled white product.
That's my problem with it. It's not the fact that the products aren't natural because the white section doesn't tend to have a whole lot of natural products either, but just the fact that it has to be in a separate aisle and perceived in a way that we are SOOOOO different, like hair is not hair. Alcohol in white products are bad, just like alcohol in black products are. So why are we paying more and so limited? This is not referring to places like Target, but just general stores that, like a PP said, shoves all the black products in a half-aisle in a random corner or in a separate section altogether. I just don't get it.

ETA: But as I said, my biggest problem was the misspelling of stuff...

 

[Tiye]

@Aireen,

Are you serious?! I don't think it's fair to have a her vs her sections in a store. Why do you think this is justifiable?

If you go in any grocery/drugstore the 'white' aisle will showcase a wide array of shampoo, condish, treatments, masks, serums, potions etc.

Go to a 'black' aisle and you're lucky if they have a small corner tucked away. A good store may have a half aisle of 'stuff Just for Me' with usually some black hair coloring, hair combs/brushes and accessories.

I kinda sideye the 'that's just the way it is' type of mentality. Like @Davisbr88 said, that is like the water fountain isssue from the Civil Rights area. "Ya'lls gone and stay on ya'llz side of the aisle now...nothing to see here folk. This here Miss Daisy aisle...ya'lls stuff over dur

This isn't exactly true. Walmart for example, has a pretty extensive ethnic hair care section. You can find just for me there but it is not the "just for me" aisle. It also might depend on where you live. If you live in a predominantly white area then the ethnic care section is going to be small. I live in a mixed area so I see a lot more options. BTW, the white aisle isn't as diverse as you think. There are only about 3 or 4 monopolies selling the same base formulas under different brand packaging - proctor and gamble has the biggest presence - pantene, herbal essences, etc. So technically speaking there's more manufacturer diversity in the ethnic aisle.

 

[SND411]

I also feel if the "ethnic" isle featured more high quality, natural hair products made by black business owners, there would be an increased opportunity to support black businesses.

 

[chelseatiara]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ethnic since when does ethnic mean black? all people are "ethnic" because they have a background culture as well....im lost and never understand why ethnic meant black...seems like the easy way out of calling black people something else if you ask me...

2. ethnic - not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
heathen, heathenish, pagan
irreligious - hostile or indifferent to religion

and this definition just burns me up. literally apparently...

 

[davisbr88]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/ethnic since when does ethnic mean black? all people are "ethnic" because they have a background culture as well....im lost and never understand why ethnic meant black...seems like the easy way out of calling black people something else if you ask me...

2. ethnic - not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
heathen, heathenish, pagan
irreligious - hostile or indifferent to religion

and this definition just burns me up. literally apparently...

Never thought of that. Wow. A lot of the stores do tend to use "ethnic" in place of black. I never even thought to actually look up the definition of "ethnic."

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

2. ethnic - not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
heathen, heathenish, pagan
irreligious - hostile or indifferent to religion

and this definition just burns me up. literally apparently...

I you for that. I needed that laugh. I really did.

 

[mischka]

If we didn't have an isle of products made especially for us, people would complain about that.

You can have different products marketed toward different textures of hair, but I don't see how or why that translates into shelving them in a different area. Hair is hair. Someone upthread mentioned "othering" non-white hair, and that is exactly what it is, plain and simple.