VENT: When will there be ‘FUBU’ for hair??

[londontresses]

Hi Ladies, ​

I always knew/ suspected that a lot of the so called ‘black’ products on the market were actually manufactured by mainstream, multinational/white owned companies, but I never realised to what extend until coming across this article.​

The article does say that there are small black owned businesses but many have been bought out by the big wigs (surprise(!))​

http://www.kvos.ca/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=115801d2-427e-4e65-a066-25c53ad5bf09.​

In a nutshell it includes the following brands but I don't doubt there are more (post if you know of any):​

Nexxus, Motions, TCB, Dark and Lovely, African Pride( ,Soft & Beautiful, Just For Me, Mizani, SoftSheen, Gentle Treatment, Ultra Sheen​

So aside from the obvious price difference (with ‘black’ products tending to be more expensive) and the packaging (a black face and one-liners such as ‘for relaxed hair’) is there actually any difference between using Redken and Mizani? TRESemme or Motions? erplexed It wasnt until LHCF that I realised that black people do use 'white' products...so why bother with the expensive 'black' product?​

I think we can all agree our hair is different but are there any special ingredients they use for ‘black’ products? A different balance in the chemicals they use?​

Call me cynical, but I have a feeling it's the same stuff! So why are we (on the whole) so loyal to these products? Almost feeling like if we stray from them it’ll be detrimental to black people or worse still to our hair (!)​

Do any of you knowledgeable ladies know any different for sure? (re ingredients etc)​

Also, coming back to the title of this thread, do you think there will come a time when black people will get to tap into the multi-billion dollar industry? Either at the manufacturing stage or consumer sales (we don't need to go into the debate about Asian stores again).


What do you ladies think???

​

P.S. SORRY I DIDNT REALISE THIS POST WAS THIS LONG! LOL!

 

[Dayjoy]

Many of the ex-Black haircare companies were bought out years ago. Now there seem to be only the "boutique" companies such as: Jane Carter, Carol's Daughter, Miss Jessie's, etc. Even BET is not Black-owned anymore(CBS/Viacom). Some people think this is the downfall of
integration--but that is totally another topic:scratchch.



ETA: It salts me that they have the nerve to use the name "African Pride" like all they have to do is show a pic of the Continent (or use some colloquialism, or put a black face on the package or any of that crap they do) and we'll just buy it up. But a lot of the time we do--I'm guilty.

 

[the_UnPrettiest_pretty]

To be perfectly honest with you, I stopped caring about those "for relaxed hair" products or those so-called "African American hair care" product labels a long time ago. My friends and family used to get on my case about using products like Pantene and Clairol (Herbal Essences), but I didn't care. I loved the way they made my hair feel and smell, so I continued to use them, and still do to this day. To me, it's all just hair. Those product labels that say "for relaxed hair" and stuff like that is all just a marketing tactic. For example, the Pantene Relaxed & Natural line is really no different from any of their other lines. They just came out the R & N line as a marketing tactic geared toward African American women or women of color (minorities) so that we wouldn't feel left out. Ironically, the only thing I use from the R & N line is the masque and the moisturizer. I still use their regular shampoo. Take Surge for another example. How many white people do you know off of the top of your head uses Surge? If you ever looked at their website, there was always a black couple on it (a guy and girl). Obviously it was marketed towards black people or minorities. Now, would you be surprised if that company was owned by a black person? No. Would you be upset if was owned by white people? Maybe, maybe not. But, does it really make a difference? Not really. The only thing that matters is whether or not Surge gave you results (if you used it).

Now, this goes without saying that I am definitely all for supporting products geared towards African American hair care, but I'm not going to get myself worked up in a tizzy about it either. I say if it works for my hair and produces good results, I don't care WHO its made by or WHO its made for. My hair likes what it likes and I listen to my hair. We use products made for Asians, Indians, Hispanics, Caucasians, Africans, Haitians, Jamaicans, from every ethnicity under the sun. I'm not Dominican, but I use "their" products. I'm not Caucasian, but I use "their" products. I'm not Native Indian (as in the country in Asia), but I use "their" products. Again, my hair likes what it likes and I listen to it. I really don't care who makes it or who they make it for. If my hair likes it, I'll use it.

 

[the_UnPrettiest_pretty]

Many of the ex-Black haircare companies were bought out years ago. Now there seem to be only the "boutique" companies such as: Jane Carter, Carol's Daughter, Miss Jessie's, etc. Even BET is not Black-owned anymore(CBS/Viacom). Some people think this is the downfall of in
integration--but that is totally another topic:scratchch.



ETA: It salts me that they have the nerve to use the name "African Pride" like all they have to do is show a pic of the Continent (or use some colloquialism, or put a black face on the package or any of that crap they do) and we'll just buy it up. But a lot of the time we do--I'm guilty.

A marketing tactic describe best as subliminal advertising. If you market a bunch of products with symbols of the African American ethincity, who do you think is going to buy it?! African Americans of course!! That is exactly why I stopped buying into that mess a long time ago. It's all just marketing tactics. And a lot of us fall for it hook, line, and sinker. They make and market a product called "African Pride", but is it really different from any of the Caucasian products? No, not really. That product may have some other things added in it, such as extra oil or stuff like that. Guess what? I have some jojoba, coconut, and olive oils in my cabinet that I can add to my products if need be. Just because it's marketed for "black people" or minorities doesn't necessarily mean it's good for our hair. There are plenty of products I have used that are supposedly made for "black people" but they actually messed up my hair!! Don't you see, it's all just marketing tactics. It's all subconcious. Stop buying into that mess. These big wigs are making a killing off of us because of a minority thing. No matter whether it's made for Caucasians or African Americans. Use what your hair likes.

 

[fluffylocks]

Yeah, this was on of the first things i learned when i started learning about hair

I think BB products are still african-american owned, i went to their websites a while back & it has pictures of their family in church, princibles the father (and i think original owner) tought them, alot of personal stuff which makes me believe they are really black & family owned...but i would have to look for sure

If profectiv was AA owned i dont think it is anymore because all of their new products have lanion, mineral, or petroleum in them

Another outside difference is black products are all colorfull, we ususally dont have any products that dont have a loud design, color, or packaging. I shake my head when i look at "our products", and turn around and look at "their products" with nice sleek designs and uniform colors & such.

I used to think that we had to use only "black products" in that section from the grocery store or from sallys because our hair was in no way the same as their and would break off if we didnt---but now i know thats not the truth

These companies own so many of the other ones, and i always compare ingredients, you find the same ingredients in an expensive product that you do in a cheap product, and sometimes they are under the same big company.

I think alot of "black" products are cheaper than "white" products actually, but i dont think alot are worth the price because they are usually made of nothing but fillers like petroleum and stuff.

There are only so many ingredients that go in a shampoo, conditoner est. and they are no different.

I always outline what ingredients i need from a product, and find the one that has it for least (like i just read a second ago in an old thread that one of the soft sheen/optiumum relaxers have the same exact ingredients as a Mizani one )


Right now, i dont think enough black people know or care about hair.....but i think in the future when more of us know about our hair that more & more of us will start our own companies.----Just like ladies on here that have their own

America is owned by white people though, they own black t.v. stations, black radio stations, black clothing lines, black music comapnies, so i know this wont be any different (and im sure its the same for other races)-----i dont know why they were allowed to buy our buissness out and take controll of our ideas (which i feel is another form of slavery), but money is the center of it all, and i guess 300 million or whatever the huge price looks great to anyone.

 

[londontresses]

I think alot of "black" products are cheaper than "white" products actually, but i dont think alot are worth the price because they are usually made of nothing but fillers like petroleum and stuff.

I stand corrected.. I totally agree with the rest of your post as well!

Dayjoy: It was the African Pride thing that kinda got me too!!

 

[yourleoqueen]

Tis the ways of capitalism, has nothing to do with race really. As soon as a company starts turning a hefty profit, some big conglomerate buys them out. Same with make-up, music and even food.

Watch, somebody gonna buy out Carol's Daughter and Qhemet soon as they get to making big money. Of course, they will make the formulas 'New and Improved' and ruin them, but oh well.

 

[fluffylocks]

Tis the ways of capitalism, has nothing to do with race really. As soon as a company starts turning a hefty profit, some big conglomerate buys them out. Same with make-up, music and even food.

Watch, somebody gonna buy out Carol's Daughter and Qhemet soon as they get to making big money. Of course, they will make the formulas 'New and Improved' and ruin them, but oh well.

Do you know why people allow themselves to get brought out?

Is it about money as i speculate, or do they threaten to run them out, any idea?

I hope not w/carol's duaghter because she has her face attacthed to her products & it seems like she cares alot

 

[the_UnPrettiest_pretty]

Tis the ways of capitalism, has nothing to do with race really. As soon as a company starts turning a hefty profit, some big conglomerate buys them out. Same with make-up, music and even food.

Watch, somebody gonna buy out Carol's Daughter and Qhemet soon as they get to making big money. Of course, they will make the formulas 'New and Improved' and ruin them, but oh well.

Well said

 

[poetist]

Do you know why people allow themselves to get brought out?

Is it about money as i speculate, or do they threaten to run them out, any idea?

I hope not w/carol's duaghter because she has her face attacthed to her products & it seems like she cares alot

Yeah, its definitely about money. THe original owners of most companies (even clothing - ie Russel Simmons and Phat Farm) used their blood, sweat, tears and a lot of time to build these product lines. Someone else comes along with a very lucrative financial offer, and says, "hey, you can still be a part of the company, but we'll buy you out and you'll be able to spend more time enjoying life and less time doing all the daily work of running the business"

 

[yourleoqueen]

Do you know why people allow themselves to get brought out?

Is it about money as i speculate, or do they threaten to run them out, any idea?

I hope not w/carol's duaghter because she has her face attacthed to her products & it seems like she cares alot

Honestly, I think it's the money. Iman sold to Estee Lauder (I think) as did MAC and several other brands. You know what kinda money they were making, so EL musta coughed up a grip.

Alot of times, they offer to allow the person to keep "creative control" but still, there are alot of changes to bring down the cost and make it even more profitable. What the conglomerates don't realize is that with this being the electronic age, as soon as a product gets 'new and improved' the consumers are all over it now. Suave Milk and Honey anyone? The 'change the formula, the consumers won't notice' days are over....or at least on their death bed.

Sorry for the tangent, it's definitely about the money.

 

[sareca]

Yeah, its definitely about money. THe original owners of most companies (even clothing - ie Russel Simmons and Phat Farm) used their blood, sweat, tears and a lot of time to build these product lines. Someone else comes along with a very lucrative financial offer, and says, "hey, you can still be a part of the company, but we'll buy you out and you'll be able to spend more time enjoying life and less time doing all the daily work of running the business"

Sold! Where do I sign?

 

[Well_Coiffed]

Here’s my $0.02:

1.) Why bother w/ expensive black products?

Black-owned products are more expensive, because the owners have less buying power and their products cost more to make and distribute.

2.) Are there special ingredients for black products?

Yes and no. No, because it costs more to completely reformulate a product and market it to a smaller audience. Yes, because for the product to be successfully marketed it has to “speak to” that audience. Key words – “shea butter,” “relaxed or natural,” “braids or weave,” etc. So there may be a small additive to a preexisting formula to make us feel comfortable buying it.

3.) Why be loyal to black haircare products?

I think that’s a personal choice. For me, I want to support black businesses as they have such a struggle to succeed in the global marketplace. Plus I think there will be more jobs for blacks. However, black-owned businesses and black products aren’t the same anymore. I am loyal to ORS because it is a good brand and it is black-owned.

4.) Will black people tap into the multi-billion dollar industry?

Of course. Will they stay is the question. If we constantly pay more attention to price, it will contunue to be an uphill battle to keep the products in the market. So they will have to find more cost effective ways to market.

This was a very thought-provoking and loaded question . I hope my answers helped you, somewhat. Sorry so long!