The Price Of Beauty

In a 2022 study, it was found that Black British consumers spend over 2.7 billion pounds on hygiene and beauty products, with black women spending over 25% more than any other demographic.

The largest portion of this expenditure is on hair products, yet the origins of this hair remain often unknown. Some hair is obtained through unethical means such as theft or coercion. The act of purchasing such hair implicates deeper ethical concerns beyond mere aesthetic preferences.

The over-expenditure on health and beauty products within the Black community has been attributed to various factors. Many products found in beauty shops are familiar to Black women from their mothers' beauty regimens, and the allure of nostalgia often outweighs considerations of potential harm to hair health. You will see these products within “The Hair Shop’ but dont go out and purchase them, sythetic sulfates should never be touching your scalp. 

Scholars debate whether this trend stems from historical racist stereotypes imposed on people of color (POC) women, originating from the era of slavery. However, others argue that Black communities have historically placed importance on hygiene, irrespective of external pressures.

Regardless of the reasons, there exists a significant disparity between Black consumers and Black-owned businesses in the beauty industry. It is estimated that only 2.5% of hair products marketed to Black audiences globally are owned and produced by Black entrepreneurs.

However, progress is underway. The growth of Black-owned businesses, with 1 out of every 6 million businesses in the UK owned by people of color, signifies a positive trend. It is crucial to raise awareness of these Black-owned businesses and support them to bridge the gap between producers and consumers.

Below are some ethically branded Black-owned hair businesses that have been discovered through research. Achieving a world where the hair being sold, worn, and styled by Black women is owned by Black women is not an unattainable goal; it just requires the sharing of knowledge and mutual education.
- Ruka Hair
- Afrocenchix
-Pattern beauty
- Re-bundle
-Dizzak

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