A recent study published by Consumer Reports found cancer-causing ingredients like benzene, lead, and methyl chloride in 10 popular synthetic hair products used for braiding and protective styles. These products included well-known brands like Magic Fingers, Sensationnel, and Shake-N-Go.
Even more alarming, lead—a toxic chemical linked to serious health and developmental issues—was detected in nine of the 10 synthetic hair packs tested. In fact, one pack contained over 600% more lead than the maximum allowed limit.
And while concerns about harmful chemicals in synthetic braiding hair aren’t new (research on this issue dates back to the early 2000s), there’s still little clarity on how much exposure Black women experience and what long-term health risks they may face.
This conversation has sparked a need for deeper investigation and a rising demand for safer, more natural alternatives.
Luckily, some Black-owned hair brands have been ahead of the curve, offering vegan, non-toxic braiding hair that prioritizes both beauty and health.
So, if you’re ready to ditch the synthetics and embrace safer, healthier, and more sustainable options, here are four Black-owned, plant-based braiding hair brands to support now and forever.
Related: Improve Your Hair with These 4 Black Woman-Owned Haircare Brands
Kynd Hair
Founded by Cosima Richardson, Kynd Hair is on a mission to create the most sustainable, non-toxic, and functional hair extensions for the global Black community while empowering and educating people about Black hair.
“Like many Black women, I started using synthetic hair in my early childhood. I was five when my parents brought me to a braider for the first time,” Richardson shares.
“During my studies, I became more and more passionate about sustainability and health. I started questioning…synthetic hair. I wanted to know what exactly it was made of. Shocked by my findings, I decided to rethink hair extensions and develop a new solution. One that would prioritize health and sustainability while also offering maximum functionality.”
And with that, Kynd Hair was born. Now, after years of development, the brand is preparing to launch its first batch of plant-based braiding extensions. You can place your preorders here.
Nourie Hair
Osahon Ojeaga, the founder of Nourie Hair, struggled with scalp trauma and hair damage from a young age.
Frustrated by the lack of safe, effective options for Black women to protect their hair, she created a line of vegan, sustainable, and biodegradable braiding hair extensions that truly support textured hair from root to tip.
Each strand of Nourie Hair is infused with natural ingredients like ginseng root extract, jojoba, rosemary, and niacinamide, which work together to promote healthy hair growth and nourish the scalp. It’s the perfect blend of protective styling, scalp care, and skincare.
What’s more? Nourie Hair strands are as thin and strong as real human hair, offering an effortless, weightless wear that feels natural and looks stunning.
You can get a pack of Nourie Hair for $15.95 per bundle on the official website.
Rebundle
After experiencing one too many itchy scalps while wearing her favorite protective styles, Ciara Imani May created Rebundle, a Black-woman-owned, plant-based hair extension brand offering a biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainable alternative to synthetic braiding hair.
Using patent-pending technology, the brand repurposes banana stems to craft beautiful vegan hair extensions. Rebundle is also committed to reducing health and environmental disparities in the hair extensions industry through its synthetic hair recycling program.
It’s a perfect choice for those with sensitive scalps and every girlie in between who loves braids. Rebundle hair starts at $36 per pack for 18 inches and is available on the official website as well as select retail and beauty supply stores.
Hair Without Harm®By Lillian Augusta Beauty
Hair Without Harm by LAB is the brainchild of Jannice Newson.
She created this plant-based, plastic-free, and allergen-tested vegan braiding hair brand to give the eco-girlie, the next-gen girlie, the cool mom of three, and anyone who loves protective styles a product that feels more like human hair, stays cleaner for longer, and protects the scalp.
Their bundles start at $30 per pack for 20 inches and are available on the official website.
These are the only documented Black-owned, plant-based braiding hair brands leading the way in safer, non-toxic alternatives to synthetic hair.
We’ll keep updating this list as more brands emerge because protecting our hair and health should never be a compromise.
