8 Great Black Owned Natural Hair Businesses
They say that when you work for yourself you work the hardest you have ever worked in your life. Have you ever heard the term ‘head cook and bottle washer’ it might mean a variety of things to some.
But in this instance we can certainly apply it to the business owner because at the end of the day you will be the CEO, the social media liaison, the marketing manager, your brand expert and at the end of the night you will have to sweep and mop the floor and get things in order for the next day.
Business owners will tell you that late nights are nothing but a thing, and scheduling a break becomes somewhat of a chore if not next to impossible. It would be a bit shallow of me not to admit that ethnic minority business owners do have it a tad bit harder than our counterpart colleagues.
We have all the challenges of regular business and on top of that prejudices, misguided perceptions and just plain ole judgmentalism to deal with. To bridge the gap between that, and just providing a great product or service we have to work extremely hard at our craft much like anyone else, but also we have to create a great professional presence to avoid any distractions that might hinder us from making the money we deserve.
We were talking recently about supporting black hair businesses and a lot of you were asking how you would know of businesses that are black owned in your local area. While I am not aware of any such list that’s been compiled, we can certainly help you with supporting black owned online hair companies.
The natural hair movement gave birth to some really awesome businesses dedicated to creating and supplying products for our natural hair and skin. Most of them spend a lot of time on giving us products of the highest quality and treating us the consumer like the true beauties we are.
We have watched them blossom over the years to become avid players in the market and with that said we thought it would be kind of cool to give 8 of them a shout out right here on BHI, this is in no particular order just a good old list with some links that you can use to support them (They are not even affiliate links!).
1. Amazing Botanicals
Started in Brooklyn, Amazing Botanicals is owned and ran by two amazing young ladies, Asha and Shelly. Their products are hand crafted with infusions of exotic oils*, natural butters* and other amazing ingredients perfectly created for not only your hair but your skin as well.
What we can appreciate the most is that even though the quality of their products is high the prices are very affordable making it very easy for you to try a variety of their products without hurting your pockets.
The girls are very active on social media, shamelessly promoting their products, offering promotions and showing the much appreciated effort they take to bring us quality products.
If you are ever in the Brooklyn area, look them up or if you are on the internet right now, just click through to their website. They get two thumbs up from us!
Our picks from the line:
The Pumpkin Pomade -$5.00
Aloe Mint Spritz -$12.00
2. CURLS
Now here is a company that has successfully branded themselves to the point that you can spot the product from a mile away. The company was founded in 2002 by Mahisha Dellinger, a curly girl herself who has successfully expanded her brand with focus on quality and accessibility.
The line can now be found on the shelves of our major retailers including Sally’s and Target. The Curls brand is definitely an industry leader and one that we can learn a lot from while enjoying her fabulous hair cocktails. If you give them a try we are positive at least one of the products will become a staple with no hesitation.
Our picks from the line:
Curls Goddess Glaze – Curl Gel
Whipped Cream – Curl Cream
3. Rapunzel
Personally I tried Rapunzel on a whim based on a recommendation and I was not disappointed. Rapunzel’s mantra is all about taking your hair to new lengths, the owner and founder Rasheda Stewart, had the same struggles most of us had where she couldn’t retain length past her shoulders.
Through a ton a research and work Rasheda was able to not only retain length beyond bra strap length but also decided to launch her product line in 2010.
In 2010 she created a platform to educate and help women and provide products based on protein for strength, and moisture. When you use the conditioner you literally will feel something tingly on your scalp and the company explains that they have infused the product with elements that stimulate your follicles and encourage growth.
What’s cool about this company is that they built their product line slowly with the same focus and direction they had in the beginning making sure every product is made with superb quality.
Our picks from the line:
Protein Deep Conditioner -$42.00 (32oz)
Hydrating and detangling Shampoo (sulfate Free) – $15.00 (8oz)
4. B.A.S.K Beauty
Chocolate, vanilla*, sugar cane, sweet liqueur, are just some of the incredible flavors you will find when exploring this businesses product line. B.A.S.K means Beauty Assortment for the Sun-Kissed, and their products are literally created so that you feel like you are visiting a spa everyday when you enter your bathroom.
Here’s the thing if you are not into desserts, fruits and exotic ingredients then BASK is not the company for you, but if you like a savory scent and a quality product then check them out.
The Owner Rashida Jefferson founded the company in the summer of 2011. She loved spas and gourmet food using those experiences to create quality products for our hair and skin. Don’t you just love a woman who can appreciate the finer things in life?
Our picks from the line:
Vanilla Whiskey Reparative Hair Soak -$20.00
Silk and Honey Latte Detangling Hair Milk – $14.00
5. Qhemet Biologics
You cannot have a post like this one and not mention the veteran in the game. Qhemet is an Egyptian name that means ‘black’ and the product line was created out of a profound respect for traditional beauty where nature is the foundation for the creation of each product.
The owner wanted to put an end to dry hair which is indigenous to black hair, and with that said, creates blends based on historically great ingredients. Castor oil*, Olive oil*, Sesame oil*, Palm Nut Oils* and botanicals such as Chamomile, Hibiscus*, and Honey* bush, pure organic MSM are just some of the charming ingredients added to these quality products.
There is a reason Qhemet Biologics remains relevant, and we look forward to further expansion of this trusted brand.
Our picks from the line:
Burdock Root Butter Cream- $16.99
Eygyption Wheatgrass Cleansing Tea – $13.80
6. Alikay Naturals
You have got to admit, this is one company we grew with, because we have watched Black Onyx77 on YouTube forever so we were already invested from the jump.
Rochelle Graham created Alikay Naturals back in 2008 because she wanted products that would help hair growth. Her first product was essential oil growth oil and then expanded to include shampoos, conditioners and moisturizers.
Rochelle is definitely one of the hardest working women in the game, a genuine spirit and an avid business person. All of her products are all natural with no parabens, silicones, mineral oils* or anything that you might not consider beneficial to your hair. With that said, Alikay is definitely worth a try!
Our picks from the line:
The L.O.C Method Moisture Kit (Hair Parfait) – $30.00
Blended Therapy Hot Oil Treatment – $15.00
7. Camille Rose Naturals
Who is Camille you ask? Well let’s put it this way, you have got to love a company named after someone’s Grandma! Founded in 2010 Janell Stephens took her love for holistic and vegan health to the lab at home and developed and marketed a line of handmade hair and body care products for health, beauty and wellness.
Janelle, describes her Grandma as the original mixtress who was able to create all natural treatments to help all her loved ones. Have you ever seen a bad review of Camille Rose? Not us! Her products are made with love and extreme dedication. We love this mompreneur and her products are definitely worth their name in gold!
Our picks from the line:
Caramel Co-wash – $14.00
Aloe Whipped Butter Gel – $16.00
8. Tree Naturals
You know what is great about Latresha “Tree”? She demonstrates her products on YouTube on her own hair, showing her own results and she has color treated hair that is absolutely amazing.
The proof is in the pudding baby and Tree Naturals is awesome sauce. Again here is a woman that loves to give you a spa like experience every time you wash your hair, her products are all natural made with great ingredients and we love her motto “If I won’t use it on my curls, neither will you”.
She has everything from a leave in made with Rice flour and Shea butter* to conditioner bars made with green tea and coconut*, how amazing is that?!
Our picks from the line:
Green Tea and Coconut Conditioner Bar – $12.99
Natasha’s Growth Butter – $14.99
Thats it! Comment below on your favorite black owned natural hair companies, of course we couldn’t list them all so it would be great to see some of yours!
