In the past few years, we’ve seen quite a few of our favorite natural hair brands switch from being “black-owned” to being “black-founded” after selling their businesses to larger companies who could do more with the brand.
Unfortunately, a change in ownership has made it harder for us to support black business because it’s not always clear who owns what. Not to mention that a lot of the natural hair products we all grew to love, are now going through a whole bunch of formula and ingredient changes that make those same products ineffective for us.
It sucks. And while some of the big dogs in the community are no longer the same, tons of great, black-owned haircare brands still exist! Here are 7 products to check out—for us, by us.
Sienna Naturals Dew Magic Leave-In, $18
A powerful leave-in conditioner to moisturize, hydrate, and soften without you having too worry too much about unnecessary build-up and residue. Made from nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and baobab oil, this leave-in gives your natural hair the nutrients it needs for juicy, poppin, super-defined curls.
The Doux Bonita Afro Balm, $16
Bonita Afro Balm is the perfect choice for you if you want all the control and weight of a butter with all the flexibility and shine of a good hair oil. Ideal for styling and moisturizing curls twists, braids, and coils, this goji berry and sweet almond blended pomade-paste hybrid will leave your hair looking good from start to finish.
Melanin Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend, $22
An oil that’s multi-purpose, non-greasy, and lightweight, this unique blend of plant-based oils from Melanin Haircare is impressively versatile. It’s designed to nourish and rebuild those precious hair strands while also utilizing oils like sage, sweet almond, baobab, and jojoba to lock in moisture for hydration longevity.
Bread Beauty Elastic Bounce Leave-In, $28
An intensely moisturizing, natural hair styling cream that’ll have you saying “stiff where?!” Because after the hydrolyzed quinoa protein and mango butter do all the work to keep your curls and coils soft and defined, the caprylic triglyceride gives you nice, light bounce while also enveloping your hair in a silky, protective barrier.
Pattern Beauty Edge Control, $12
Edge control that lays your edges without making them look hard and flaky? Sign me up! This one from Pattern Beauty is for the girls who love the natural hair texture of their edges, but just want to tame some frizz. Made with mango seed butter and beeswax, this edge control is all you need for a little extra smoothness and shine.
Meraki Clarifying Amethyst Shampoo, $25
When it comes to gunky buildup on the scalp, a good clarifying shampoo is everything. This one from Meraki is the best because it’s infused with healing properties from the Amethyst gemstone, while also using White Willow Bark and Amla to exfoliate and moisturize your scalp—making wash day a truly ethereal experience.
