Anyone else HATE the Ethnic Haircare Aisle

[Makenzie]

I hate that a lot of our products have ghetto names. Like that will draw us in. Or make it seem 'cool' to by. Advertising 'dumbed' down for us.

 

[Qtee]

My only issue with 'ethnic' products are the intentional misspelling of words...I have higher than a third grade education and can read words like grow spelled correctly..u dont need to drop the w and spell it gro..who am I kidding...I dont care how they spell it..I'm not buying it either way..

 

[CrownCola]

My main beef is with the majority of the garbage these aisles contain...

(Requesting permission to hereby refer to crap hair products marketed towards us as Mama or Pookie-n-em haircare, that had me )

 

[SVT]

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.

Interesting.

 

[racheljay1985]

Yes, I was in wal-mart the other day (which I actually dislike because of their nickle and dime, non union having asses) and I found this. I was shocked because I thought 2011 was beyond that. Ugh, I took pics and now can't find them, anyway they had a crapload of skinned whitening creams. And the whole isle is just tasteless. Yet if you look in the other isles, there are more products, and not a ton of them selling a long hair dream. Also, the ethnic isle is full of brightly colored products as to attract your attention while other isles have basic sometimes colorless colors.

 

[kellistarr]

OK, a lot of what has been said had me cracking up! I don't claim the aisle with the so-called ethnic products. Most of what I use, shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins can be purchased down any aisle. But wherever products are sold, I have to take a look-see.
I see a lot of interesting things down the ethnic aisle. I'm not against mineral oil, so that doesn't bother me. But, Pink lotion, boxed Relaxers, somebody is buying that. My problem is that when you give something a label, that leads to people thinking, well, this is black hair care and I'm black, therefore these products are my only choices. Kind of like at the bookstore, where the African American section is filled with raunchy covers, titles, and ebonics and all the black people flock to that section. . .they don't even look at all the other books in the literature section. Hence, the woman who is holding the pink oil lotion. She doesn't know that she can use other leave-in's and moisturizers not marketed to her ethnicity. I do see improvements in places like Target.

 

[fanofau1977]

I went into Dollar General the other day and was standing in the non-ethnic hair section! An employee who was black directed me to "my" section! At first I looked at her, then I said "well while you're at it, why don't you show me where the colored bathrooms are too!!" I left soon after, but I think this reaction was a result of me watching Malcolm X movie before I left home lol

 

[kellistarr]

At Whole Foods, they also have an "ethnic" hair section - it's just not labeled. But, Kinky Curly, Jane Carter, and other local natural hair brands are grouped together. I personally find it easier to find what I'm looking for. But yeah, they do carry local natural hair brands that aren't marketed nationally.

So, basically, you can support Whole Foods and other places like local black-owned businesses that are focused on organic and natural living. That's what I do. When I want some Just For Me (kidding, I don't use it), I go to Wal-Mart or the BSS.

I find the ethnic hair aisle or section to be more convenient. I wouldn't want to look up and down the aisle for Hot Six Oil or relaxers, or any other product that we know is used by blacks (mostly). We know Susie is not using Hot Six Oil, Shea Butter moisturizer, etc., let's be real.

I actually think there was a thread just like this a couple of years ago. People were mad at any black section, including the black book section is stores and I was like huh? I hate going to Barnes and Noble and searching for days for the Urban Christian Fiction because the books are all sorted by author amongst the general fiction.

Susie may not be using Hot Six Oil, or Shea Butter moisturizer but she might need to for that fuzzy head of hers. I've seen many a white chic and her kids who are walking around with dry, frizzy hair and could make good with some ORS deep conditioning. Susie could also make good use of Hot Six oil for her cuticles, as a hot oil treatment for the crispy ends of her hair or for her overall, damaged by the blow dryer tresses if she could find it. Naturally, she isn't going to go down that special aisle because the labels have told her that what's there is not for her. I understand the need for labeling, but some things, like haircare, no.

 

[MizzBrown]

I'm pretty sure there was a time where we didnt have an aisle or a shelf space for products that were marketed for us.

I'm sure that many rallied to get the products (mineral and petroleum-laden and all) and fought to have them marketed in a store.

Now we are complaining about it. I see the flip side but its still interesting.

 

[girlcherokee]

i hate that they call it "ethnic".
doesnt everybody have "ethnic hair" of some ethnicity?

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

Mama & Pookie & Nem had me in the floor

I don't know... I feel some kind of way about it.... not sure what way that is just yet lol.


Slightly OT: I haaaaaaaate the commercials where they show us shucking and jiving for chicken & burgers. Who does that?!?!?!

 

[MsSanz92]

I don't see much issue with it most of the time. The only time when it bothers me is when in some stores, they lock up ONLY the black hair products since they are "higher risks of theft". Most places I know do not do that. I feel like a lot of people in this thread are bashing ethnic aisles as if they are the creation of the devil. Yes, a lot of the products aren't particularly good for our hair but a lot of the white hair care lines have bad ingredients and what would you rather have NO products geared towards our hair?? I will however agree on the misspelled words that does bother me. Not all of those products are horrible I was just in Pathmark today and saw plenty of my staples in the ethnic hair section of the aisle (Creme of Nature Shampoo, Africa's Best Leave In, etc). Not every store needs to carry all of those "natural" hair care line because in reality, natural hair is still not the norm and remember a lot of those products are expensive! Does your average drug store/supermarket carry "salon" white brands? NO! They wouldn't be salon brands if they did. I just feel like I would rather have some option than none because when I'm at school, the Walmart/Target near my school have a VERY small section for ethnic hair and it saddens me.

Rant over.

 

[NaturalBoss]

In the stores where I live the "ethnic" shelves have crap (Pink Oil Lotion, Doo Gro) and the "non-ethnic" shelves have crap (Suave, White Rain).

My Target just now started carrying Kinky Curly, Curls, and Shea Moisture so my complaint is that I wish the stores in my area would keep up with everywhere else and carry better products all together.

I wish people would stop giving their products dumb names with DO, NU, LITE...and "Don't Be Bald", and all that kind of mess.

 

[Nasdaq_Diva]

I went into Dollar General the other day and was standing in the non-ethnic hair section! An employee who was black directed me to "my" section! At first I looked at her, then I said "well while you're at it, why don't you show me where the colored bathrooms are too!!" I left soon after, but I think this reaction was a result of me watching Malcolm X movie before I left home lol

 

[theLovelyStyle]

I went into Dollar General the other day and was standing in the non-ethnic hair section! An employee who was black directed me to "my" section! At first I looked at her, then I said "well while you're at it, why don't you show me where the colored bathrooms are too!!" I left soon after, but I think this reaction was a result of me watching Malcolm X movie before I left home lol

Lol as funny as this was, I think you overreacted

 

[Incognitus]

^^ yeah, she overreacted a bit, but that employee deserved a "response" of some sort....lol.

 

[azuquita_morena]

Yea, I just hate the way most hair care aisles are in general, not just the ethnic section. The products are all sub-par, full of crap ingredients. It takes me forever to find any hair products that have the least amount of crap ingredients as possible, to the point where I get so frustrated. As far as where it is located, separated from the rest of the hair care products, I personally don't get offended. If there are ignorant people who think I should not frequent the non-ethnic aisle at all, then that would be annoying at best.

As far as ethnic food aisles, though, I love them, especially the ones in Krogers and Fiesta grocery stores.

 

[Lita]

But what kills me is when I'm in the haircare section marketed to others and I'm the only black woman standing there looking at products standing next to the white woman and the other woman that looks like me is at the end of the aisle holding pink lotion in her hand.

I thought I was the only one...




Happy Hair Growing1

 

[Lita]

I rarely post cause I am a newbie but a long time lurker.

But you are soooo right. Half of that mess is loaded with mineral oil and ere' thing under the sun that we SHOULD NOT put in our hair. One would swear that there is a conspiracy to just jack up our hair by selling this mess to us.

I feel like the black hair care aisle like I feel about Fashion Fair makeup.

My face would look like I belong in a casket and my hair would look dead too.

No ma'am.

GoodMernin

Belong in a casket & My hair would look dead too...

*I tried Fashion Fair before & looked like a zombie



Happy Hair Growing!

 

[GoodMernin]

@GoodMernin

Belong in a casket & My hair would look dead too...

*I tried Fashion Fair before & looked like a zombie



Happy Hair Growing!

Thanks for the welcome!

Yeah, Fashion Fair had me looking like I was searching for brains too!

 

[Evolving78]

At the local urban target, they have this on an end cap so us bougie naturals can find it... Everytime, I go up in there all the Kinky Curly Curling Custard, Knot Today and Shea Moisture Shampoos be gone. I KNOW it's one of y'all snatching all my goodies!

Oh and at the Target in Inglewood, they have braiding hair and weave.

SkysMommy i think you are in my neck of the woods? i know i had to call a few Targets to find KCC instock. i ended up going to Homewood.

 

[abcd09]

I mentioned going to the Ethnic hair care aisle at walmart for my ORS to my white friend and he couldnt believe that it actually exists. the look on his face was a mixture of horror and amusement.

 

[reeko43]

I don't have a problem with the ethnic hair care section at a major retail. What I do have a problem with is the Korean owned bss on every corner of Black neighborhoods selling overpriced products and providing terrible customer service. They barely employ anyone from the neighborhood and if they do it is usually someone they are paying under the table. They also follow you around like they caught you stealing from them in the past. Now that is something that is more likely to get my panties in a bunch

 

[HairRaiser]

I'm a college student on a majority white college campus and sometimes i look to see if anyone i know is around before i duck into the ethnic hair care aisle to buy my precious s-curl.

It's not even really an aisle, but more like half an aisle with a big pole right there in front of the products...i feel like i'm sneaking to buy drugs or something lol

 

[Dayjoy]

SkysMommy i think you are in my neck of the woods? i know i had to call a few Targets to find KCC instock. i ended up going to Homewood.

Homewood is my local Target! I think SkysMommy is probably in CA. Our Englewood is spelled with an "E."

 

[chelseatiara]

I don't have a problem with the ethnic isle. In fact, I make it a point to stop by and look through the products with the hopes of finding a hidden gem.

I'm not sure why folks are so offended by the notion that relaxers, Scurl, and grease are marketed towards us as Blacks- but um, who else is using these kinds of hair care products?

you sound like my SO right here lol we had a whole drawn out arguement with me saying the aisle was offensive and him saying he doesnt see whats wrong with helping us find stuff that "caters" to "our hair" we ended it with him not wanting his future daughter to have naps and me telling him to go kill himself

but on another note you are right about this

 

[chelseatiara]

I'm a college student on a majority white college campus and sometimes i look to see if anyone i know is around before i duck into the ethnic hair care aisle to buy my precious s-curl.

It's not even really an aisle, but more like half an aisle with a big pole right there in front of the products...i feel like i'm sneaking to buy drugs or something lol

this is how i feel about my college stuff lol the LSU stuff has it's own WALL and section and everything and the Southern stuff has one lonely rack :/

 

[LadyMacgyver]

well i hate it because it is so small. except the target about 10-15 mins from my house, they have a whole ethnic aisle, i love it. they sell kinky curly, talijah wajiid , jane carter , and a whole lot more stuff. the first time i went in the aisle i was so excited. but all other stores are just like everyone said, so i always go to this target to get my hair supplies.

One particular Target in my area is not that big.. It's funny I was just complaining this weekend about how small the section was.. It's like the Isle in CVS and Walgreens. Haven't checked the other Target stores out yet in my area but it took them forever to get shea moisture.

CVS isle is so small if you blink you will miss everything..

 

[SND411]

you sound like my SO right here lol we had a whole drawn out arguement with me saying the aisle was offensive and him saying he doesnt see whats wrong with helping us find stuff that "caters" to "our hair" we ended it with him not wanting his future daughter to have naps and me telling him to go kill himself

but on another note you are right about this

So I guess he's fine with the "ethnic aisle" as long as his "future daughter" doesn't need to shop there? LOL

 

[chelseatiara]

So I guess he's fine with the "ethnic aisle" as long as his "future daughter" doesn't need to shop there? LOL

he doesnt want her to go through the horror he has to when getting his hair done but he has no problem with the aisle itself

eta: why when he just walked in the room i looked like i had just got caught shoplifting or something darn shame lol