Natural Hair Now–Stores Are Taking Notice

natural hair products in stores
NEW Product Display at Sally’s Beauty Supply
geared towards Customers with Natural Hair

When I started transitioning in the summer of 2008 (well relaxer stretching that led to transitioning), there wasn’t a lot of products available locally for natural or curly hair.  That was fine by me because thanks to YouTube and online hair forums I found a lot of information on how to make my own.  I learned all about making whipped shea butter, sulfate free shampoo and hair oil mixes.  I pretty much tried everything.  Then one day I discovered a natural hair product line called Kinky Curly.  On YouTube ladies were raving about the curl definition the Curling Custard gave and did tutorials on how to use it.  It also had natural ingredients so I thought it would work great for me.  Then I saw the price.  This is where I started shakin’ my head.  Just because the product stated it used all natural ingredients meant I had to fork over thirty bucks?!  No maa’m, I didn’t feel the need.

Natural Hair Products in stores
Loads of Curly/Natural Hair products now
available at Walmart

Since then there have been lots of other products lines that have come onto the scene.  All of them using the words, “natural,” “curly,” and sometimes “organic,” to hook new customers.  The thing that made me really start considering paying for one of these products, was the availability.  Yes, I’m that lazy person who doesn’t really want to go through the process of ordering something unless I KNOW it’s the bomb.  I remember though stopping dead in my tracks the first time I saw Miss Jessie’s, Kinky Curly and Shea Moisture hair products in my local Target store.  Seeing the items every week while doing my regular shopping was very tempting.

The selection for Curly and Natural hair products has probably tripled since then.  I even found a full display of products once only available online in Walmart!  Even Sally’s is trying to catch some notice by moving these products from the back of the store towards the middle (where the other products for “ethnic” hair began).

If I were newly natural right now, I would probably be a total PJ  (a.k.a Product Junkie).  The displays in stores hold so much styling pomade, cremes and whipped concoctions that it must be really hard filtering through all of that.  Thankfully though I have gotten past the stage of trying things out to see what works.  I pretty much know what works for me and I’m sticking to that.  Still, I just find it funny how stores spent years practically hiding hair products for us somewhere in the back or on bottom shelves and now they’re on full display.

What do you think about stores changing it up in the hair product aisle?  Are they viewing Natural Hair as a trend to make money from or is this going to last?

6 thoughts on “Natural Hair Now–Stores Are Taking Notice

  1. Yolanda Grunewald says:

    Very great post! I've definitely noticed this too.. however in the UK- of course- not as much as in the US, but we have the main ranges aimed at naturals from the big names like African Pride, Beautiful Textures etc etc. Hopefully your other great brands like Shea Moisture, Miss Jessie's and all of those will be more available in the UK as well eventually xx

  2. Mimi says:

    I like having the variety but I can't imagine being newly natural and having to figure out what works best. I guess I shouldn't complain..lol!

  3. Mimi says:

    Yes! Now that we are standing up and making changes in our purchases companies have to get on board.

  4. Mimi says:

    I'm sure there will be more available in the UK soon. Companies and stores are finally coming around here so it's just a matter of time. Thanks for the comment!

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