Hair Products Marketed Specifically To Black Consumers

[Blossssom]

You mean like "Don't Be Bald"?

LOLOL!

You would never see such a product in the "other people's" beauty supply store.

 

[MsCounsel]

I use a mixture of products. It seems that it depends on the hair texture/type and needs. I research and read product labels before I put anything into my hair. Formulated for "black" hair means nothing. Whose black hair? We all have different textures and types just like everyone else.

 

[Miss*Tress]

I tend to use products formulated for "black" hair because I have the feeling (perhaps mistaken) that they are better adapted for our hair, more moisturizing and all that. This is probably due to the poor results I got with ordinary products sold in supermarkets.

Funnily enough, a white woman on the the Long Hair Community swears by ORS Carrot Oil, while another uses Creme of Nature shampoo. Who would have thought. Imagine if they start greasing their scalps with Blue Magic or Dax. LOL

 

[esoterica]

You mean like "Don't Be Bald"?

more like Doo Gro. cause we all know afro hair don't gro.

 

[shiningstar84]

LOLOL!

You would never see such a product in the "other people's" beauty supply store.

it's called rogaine

is "dont be bald" a real product? it sounds like it is

 

[Shimmie]

Sadly, it's true that many products marketed for 'us' are of poor quality ingredients.

And while I, as well as my family and friends have benefited from both, our homes are still predominately filled with products marketed to Caucasians.

Sadder still, is that is with almost everything that we use. Along with hair care products, look at the make-up industry. Whatever happen to 'Fashion Fair' make-up? It used to be prominant in the big department stores.

Marketed today those such as, 'Cover Girl" has Queen Latifa; "Revlon" has Halle Berry; Gabrielle Union is on a commercial which promotes another product ... not ours generated. These corporations know exactly what they are doing and how much do they give back to 'our' communities in return. They do maintain their causes and focus groups with 'our' money.

Anyway, I'm not going to go further with this, but to answer this question that's being polled is attached to the reasons why. And the real reason goes deep. What do we use more often; what helps us most? We answer and the reason comes with it.

The white marketed products dominate our hair care.

I'm (correcting 'typo') NOT making this an issue. I promise. I can't. I love people, all people. My sweetheart is Caucasian; he's true keeper and I wouldn't trade him for anything. He understands my point of view.

My point goes back again..."I use a certain product" and then comes the why behind it. Why do I use it? Why am I unable to use the other...which is supposed to be geared to my needs?

My love to all...no matter what color...you are precious to me, indeed.


________________________-

Please forgive my 'typos'...I had to come back and make a correction. I do know some forms of the English language...though I wonder when I blunder with the key board.

 

[caribeandiva]

most products targeted to black consumers don't really work, most of the time they make the problem (mostly dryness) worse. my problem with them is that they're way too greasy and i hate that!

 

[B_Phlyy]

I use what works for my hair. I will admit that I usually gravitate towards products that are aimed at AA hair, but if the ingredients don't sound like the will do much for my hair, I'll look somewhere else.

 

[BlackDiamond21]

I think a person should go by the hair type it targets on the bottle not the racial class in marketing.

I was in love with Paul Mitchell Tea Tree for a good 2 years!!! Then I wanted something even more moisturizing and went w/ Aussie. Both great procducts; both not marketed to me.

 

[growoutchallenge]

I say no b/c mostof those products do not provide a good body/bounce to my hair. They definetly give my hair moisture but too oily feeling. My fav are the olive oil sheen spray and motions setting lotion. I really love infusium gives great body.

 

[pink_n_green_iz_me]

I do not know the difference between what product belongs to what nationality. I see it, I like the ingredients, out the store the pj go!

I thought Paul Mitchell was targeted toward white people, but I love it!

I agree, there really isn't a difference in my opinion. I was talking to a caucasion lady the other day that said she used relaxer on her hair to decrease the amount of curls she had. She has naturally curly hair and wanted it to be straight. I used to think I had to always use products formulated for blacks, but with my hair type, I can use whatever, but I do get better results from prodcuts for dry/damaged/overprocessed hair, no matter who makes it. I also look at the ingredients. I think "we" have been taught that we have to use ethnic hair care products.....how sad....but I must say since I've been on LHCF, I've learned almost more than I did when I was in beauty school

 

[navsegda]

AMEN!

I don't care WHO the product is marketed to, as long as it works. I use a mixture of products, but I have to admit most of my products are not necessarily marketed towards black people.

Products like Nexxus, Paul Mitchell, Suave, etc are in my cabinet. But I also use Creme of Nature, Lekair Cholesterol Conditioner, and Elasta QP. I have found that when I used to use strictly "made for black hair" products, my hair wasn't always in the best condition. That Pink Oil by Luster's used to be my staple moisturizer (what was I thinking?? ). I never would put oils in my hair...only GREASE! Again...what on earth was I thinking?? I would put gels in my hair in order to "lay down" the edges of my hairline, and spritz my hair to "hold" a style. *puke* I don't know what I was thinking back then, but I have LONG since thrown away the pink crap, and the gels and all of the other greases and alcohol-infested hair sprays. I even tried the Pantene Pro-V "colored and relaxed" hair care line, and that didn't really work for me either!

Bottom line: USe what works for YOUR hair. It doesn't matter if the product is marketed towards black hair or whatever. As long as the ingredients are good, then it shouldn't matter who's hair it's marketed towards. I remember being afraid (literally afraid) to even try the Nexxus line because I thought it was only made for "white people" and that thier products would cause my hair to fall out. LOL* How silly I was! Afterall, our hair colors and hair textures might be different across races, but isn't our HAIR made of the same thing??

WHAT.SHE.SAID.

 

[InnerSoul]

I voted both, IMHO.. I use both because as long as the product works for me and my likeness then I don't care who manufactured it.. as long as it is working for me

 

[naturallylovely]

I'll use an "ethnic" product if it doesn't contain any harsh ingredients....but if it does, no way....but that goes for ones that aren't "ethnic" as well.....

 

[Bosslady1]

It is all about reading the labels of products and making sure it fits your hair care needs.

 

[Qetesh]

I do use both but the only so called “AA” product I really like is hot six oil and I honestly know a few white people who use that product. I do still have some of the AA Grease, to coat my ends but I honestly am not sure if I will repurchase because I found caster oil works just as well if not better from lack of buildup. I find my hair responds better to “white” products better overall because it somehow moisturizes me better and leaves my hair not feeling so greasy. I also feel in general the “white” products smell better.

Growing up I did think I had to use only AA products and I was always frustrated with the results, I didn’t know about heat protectants or anything so I jus used hot six oil for everything. And b4 I found I liked that better I used pink oil. I rarely shampooed or conditioned my hair but when I did I used Maine and tail. It upsets me how cheaply made and coating “AA” products can be since I have found LHCF my hair is more moisturized and healthy than it’s ever been. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t try out an ‘AA product that has a good ingredient list but overall I find that the “white” products are cheaper and work just as well. mainly cheapness of them is what attracts me

 

[pistachio]

The only AA products I use are the poos and conditioners. I find many "hair lotions" tend to be way off target as far as my hair is concerned because my hair HATES mineral oil and peterolem as any type of leave in.

 

[NeeSee]

I agree, there really isn't a difference in my opinion. I was talking to a caucasian lady the other day that said she used relaxer on her hair to decrease the amount of curls she had. She has naturally curly hair and wanted it to be straight. I used to think I had to always use products formulated for blacks, but with my hair type, I can use whatever, but I do get better results from products for dry/damaged/overprocessed hair, no matter who makes it. I also look at the ingredients. I think "we" have been taught that we have to use ethnic hair care products.....how sad....but I must say since I've been on LHCF, I've learned almost more than I did when I was in beauty school

This was how I was until I came on here. A lot of the products that I would see in stores that I use now I would have never purchased before (Nexxus, Paul Mitchell, Joico) I was always under the impression these were "white" people products. Alot of the products targeted for blacks really didn't do anything for me. Now I know it is because of the ingredients. I find that with I guess you could say mainstream products like Nexxus and Paul Mitchell a lot of research and effort is put into these products. I don't think the do that with products directed toward AA. I think a lot of time they put a product in a bottle, claim it will make our hair grow, and then sit back and watch the money come in. I've learned a whole lot about how products alone since joining this board.

 

[jjjackie]

The only AA product I use is grease.

 

[bravenewgirl87]

I would have to say white products have always done it for me. Now that i am transitioning I am learning more about my hair and moisturizing the natural textures, i am learning about more products that are not in the corporate stores. But, then again, black women make up $6 bil. of beauty and skin care market, so more BLACK people are delving into that market to make a buck and help. Which, of course, is peaking the interest of blk women, educating us on what is right and what is wrong as far as ingredients go. So, even though i love PM and Nexxus, Elucence and such.. i still support the small ma'-n-pop companies like oyin, nubian heritage, qhemet.

 

[LovelyLionessa]

I use a mixture of products. Whatever works, I use. I've got my 2 horsey conditioners, Mane N Tail and Cabellina and they work great. I've got my AA products, CON poo, BB Oil Moisturizer and LeKair which I love. Garnier conditioner detangles nicely and I'm madly in love with Tresemme conditioner right now, so I guess I'm an equal opportunity pj.

 

[chayil0427]

The products I use are not marketed to blacks. They're marketed to hair type which I think is important. Because the hair of black people is a multitude of textures and has a multitude of unique needs based on those textures.

I use products for my hair type.

Chayil

 

[tkj25]

i buy products based on ingredients, research & recommendations, not whether it's marketed to black folks or not, or for men or women for that matter. what matters is does the product work for your hair -- not who is it intended for. don't be fooled or intimidated by marketing.

 

[jellynote]

I voted a mixture of both because for me I just look for the ingredients if it has good ingredients the pj in me says to get it!

 

[LadyPaniolo]

I voted for a mixture of both. I'm mixed and had NO guidance as to how to care for my hair. None. I would mostly just go to the black hair care section and aimlessly buy whatever promised the best results. My head was such a mess, I took such abuse over it. I became very very sensitive to any comments about my hair.

Now that I'm natural and learning how to care for my hair, I've discovered that my hair is a weird mixture of textures. I have strands of dead-up white people's hair, like 2a, growing alongside nappy 4a hair. How am I gonna find a product marketed to this head?!? I ain't, is the answer.

So I just read what you ladies post and try things that I hope will work. I'm learning what makes my hair happy and what doesn't. Hopefully my kids will have an easier time, though thier hair is a crazy mix too. They are 25% black, 25% Japanese, and 50% white. Looks like I'll be in the BSS a lot over the years!!!!

 

[wonderstar]

I voted for both too because my products are bought based mainly on ingredients then marketing tactics.

 

[FineChyna]

i saw a mixture of both

before i used to think items that were in salons and marketed toward white people were not for our textured hair but when i started learning what was in the productes marketed towards blacks i realize a lot of that stuff is not good for my hair and not for me

when it comes to shampoos and conditioners most of the stuff i used is marketed towards whites. as for leave in conditioners most of the stuff is "black products"

 

[Blackberry7]

It depends. If you're talking about some of the new indie lines such as Carol's Daughter, Oyin, Anita Grant, Qhemet Biologics, etc., - to name a few - yes these are good products made with quality ingredients, marketed to black people and they work well. If you're talking stuff like Pink Oil, and Blue Magic grease - no those products are not good for my hair.

 

[homegirljiggy]

some products are perfectly fine that are marketed towards black women... like ORS, and pantene's new version of Relaxed and Natural is great. I've also used Nexxus, therapee is my favorite, and I wont go to a salon if they are not using Aveda products... I think it depends on the type of ingredients in the products which lets you know the quality, whether it is for black or white women... oh and the BSS is full of crappy products, with pore clogging ingredients that prevent hair from growing. I think it has been our own ignorance as black women, about what is healthy for our hair and what is not, that has lead to years of slow growing hair and damage. In america the status quo for beauty is to have long straight hair, I think I focus has always been the straight, through any means necessary.

 

[esoterica]

i think you're right. most bw outside of lhcf don't give a rats, as long as their hair is 'bone straight'.