Will That Product Work On My Natural Hair? - Are You Kidding Me?

I was discussing hair with a colleague of mine whom I will call M for simplicity.  M is natural and has been for at least 7 years, although she is not on an official ‘healthy hair journey.’  She keeps her hair in kinky* twists (with fake hair added) year round with a few short breaks in between.  M cares for her hair, like most Black women – keeping it well groomed and clean, but is not particularly knowledgeable about styling or growing it.

So during our discussion she expressed that she was going to start doing her own hair more and rely on the extensions* (kinky* twists) less.  M went on to say that she was looking for some good products that worked well on her hair which prompted me to tell her about Bee Mine.

I told her that it was the primary moisturizer I’ve used for nearly three years, and she’s witnessed my hair growth for 2 of those years.  On this particular day, my hair was curled nicely having been set on flexirods*.  It was full, shiny and obviously healthy.  But before she asked anything further about Bee Mine Products, she cocked her head to the side quizzically and said “But that’s not for natural hair though, right?”

I had to swallow my sarcastic retort because I understood that to her, that was a legitimate question.  Her natural hair hasn’t been a “journey” and she doesn’t spend countless hours online researching natural hair, curl patterns, product reviews, etc.  So she completely ignored the progress my hair has made and the obvious health of my hair when I recommended a product simply because I’m relaxed!

And even some ladies that DO all the research, sign up for various forums, and follow a variety of hair blogs still have that same attitude and ask those same questions.  I’ve seen plenty of ladies who belong to online hair forums and communities that have populations of both relaxed and natural ladies post a question titled “What products work best for 4b hair?  Please NATURALS only respond.”  I don’t get it.  How on earth does the product know if your hair is relaxed or natural?  So you think that if a relaxed woman suggests a moisturizer, that when it touches your natural strands its gonna bead up and repel off your hair because it hasn’t been chemically processed?!

I mean if a product moisturizes…it moisturizes.  Of course there is no one size fits all when it comes to hair care or hair products, but should the fact that a product is supposedly “made” for natural hair or relaxed hair even matter?  Haven’t we debunked the myth that “white” products cannot be used on our hair?

How many of you have used (and maybe even still use) Tresemme, Suave, Aussie, or Herbal Essences?  How many Black women do you see in those commercials?  It obviously isn’t “meant” for us according to its marketing, but it still works to condition, moisturize, and cleanse our hair right?!

Natural hair is hot right now, and rightfully so!  And naturally marketers realize that so they are going to advertise their products appropriately to make the most sales, but a quick glance at the ingredients will show you that it’s a hair product.  Plain and simple. A lot of the curly butters* and gels, are simply holding products meant to keep your natural curls defined – but relaxed women can use it for twist and braidouts for the exact same purpose of keeping the curls defined.

And it isn’t just naturals that do this!  I’ve had relaxed women refuse to go to a natural hair show with me thinking its not meant for “them.”  Not I.  First of all, I always appreciate beautiful healthy hair, no matter its state.  Secondly, a hair show is the absolute best place to purchase new and/or discounted products!  The “natural” products work well for my hair so…yes, I will absolutely take my relaxed strands into a natural hair expo, proudly at that, and yes, I will tell you (when asked) that I am relaxed and happy and turn around and purchase a t-shirt with an afro-haired lady.  Yes, I have received looks of disdain for doing so and no – I absolutely do not care.

A good product is a good product.  Don’t limit yourself from trying something to see if it works well for your hair simply because of its marketing.  Don’t disregard someone’s product recommendation simply because they aren’t natural like you, relaxed like you, or texlaxed like you.

No, everything doesn’t work for everyone, but something will work for you so don’t allow the whole natural versus relaxed mindset to affect what products you try.