17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018

17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Start making your Black Friday shopping list early...
At this point, I consider myself to be one of the oldheads in the natural hair blogging game. With The Mane Objective having been in business since March of 2012 (and the Triple OG predecessor Kinky Crown clocked circa 2010), I've been on this natural hair wave long enough to see hair trends die and resurface, bloggers I looked up to fade into obscurity, bad advice go viral, companies ignore us then reinvent themselves... you get the drift.

Fun fact: this was my first blog post under The Mane Objective.

My point is, there's nothing new under the natural hair sun - except for in one category.

My years of product junkie-ing has given me sort of a 6th sense about brands - something that gives me "this brand is gonna take off" vibes. Sometimes it's the story. Other times, the packaging and branding. All the time, it's because of the quality and performance of the products. In turn, I become these brands biggest cheerleaders - and have legit moments when I see them hit major retail, growth, and PR milestones.

I'm always going to root for long-standing faves - brands like Soultanicals, Be Kekoa, tgin, Mielle Organics (who remembers when they only had 2 products?!), Obia Naturals, and more. But they're established, and becoming household names among naturals.

It's time for a new wave.



And that's exactly what this blog post and video (yes video!) is about - that next wave of Black Owned natural hair brands that I feel deep down in my spirit are about to take off. Maybe they're next up for Sally's and Target. Perhaps they're getting ready to blow up on social media. Whatever the case, these brands have the "It Factor" in my book. And I've been dying for you to meet them.

So without further delay, I present to you - the 17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018!



Note: This list appears in alphabetical order.

Alodia HairCare
www.alodiahaircare.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Alodia Hair Care
Based in Maryland, Alodia Hair Care was launched in 2014 by Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, who holds a PhD in Bio-Medical Sciences. Like many relaxer-turnt-natural women, Dr.Chambers-Harris literally reached a breaking point with her hair and scalp, and made the decision to transition to natural hair. Drawing on her own journey, Dr. Chambers-Harris designed Alodia Hair Care to support the core needs of women with transitioning and natural hair. In her time spent vending at farmers markets, she discovered a lot of women were confused, overwhelmed, and unsure about how to properly use products to care for natural hair.

To streamline the process of caring for natural hair, Dr. Chambers-Harris created six core products, organizing them into kits that take the guesswork out building a regimen for healthy, moisturized hair. Dr. Chambers-Harris and Alodia believe in a holistic approach to hair care, with a focus on natural ingredients to care for the hair and scalp. All of Alodia's products are:
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • free of artificial fragrances and colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
  • made with natural and organic ingredients
Another amazing tidbit about Alodia Hair Care? Dr. Chambers-Harris and her husband, Dr. DuPree-Harris (a Board Certified Physician) work together in offering consultations to their customers. They review medical histories and medication, analyze the hair and scalp, and create custom regimens to maximize results. How awesome is that?!

Best Sellers
Alodia's best sellers are the Nourish and Grow Healthy Hair and Scalp Oil, and the Style Kits for Twist & Braid Outs, and Wash & Go's.

My Picks
Hands down, the Moisturize & Define Curling Cream Gel and the Nourish & Hydrate Deep Conditioning Masque. The Curling Cream Gel is unlike anything I've ever experienced before. It pumps out of the bottle smooth like a cream, but in the hair, it legit has hold and defines my curls. I've side-eyed cream-gels in the past, but Alodia has made me a believer - in theirs anyway. The Moisturize & Define Curling Cream Gel gave me a legit bomb 1 product wash and go!

Now, let's talk about my borderline obsession and deeeeeeeeep love affair with this Nourish & Hydrate Deep Conditioning Masque. It's literally everything. The consistency, fragrance, and performance reminds me of what would happen if Soultanicals Afrotastic and Mielle Organics Babassu Mint got together and made a deep conditioning baby dripped in moisturized, minty goodness. The Nourish & Hydrate Masque is thick, rich, has crazy slip, makes my scalp tingle, and leaves my hair feeling baby smooth after rinsing. Packed with grape seed, avocado, silk amino acids, aloe vera, basil and more - Nourish & Hydrate is EVERYTHING for maintaining a moisture-protein balance in the hair and feeding the scalp. I've got about 1 good use left before my jar is empty. 😢

Where to Buy
Alodia Hair Care products are available at www.alodiahaircare.com and select retailers across New York, Maryland, Connecticut, and California. Click here to find one near you!

Instagram
Follow Alodia Hair Care on Instagram at @alodiahaircare

Carmella Marie
www.carmellamarie.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Carmella Marie
Carmella Williams and her namesake brand, Carmella Marie hail from Ohio. Launched in 2013, Carmella burst onto the natural hair scene with one mission - to help women with coily and kinky hair realize, "we are enough". With her infectious energy and unique, proprietary formulations, Carmella aims to be a beacon of positivity in the natural hair community. Carmella Marie products are designed to infuse moisture into dry, brittle hair using an array of all natural ingredients. In addition to developing her own haircare recipes, Carmella hosts Ohio's biggest natural hair event - Let's Talk Hair: The Mane Event in Youngstown every year. She also runs the Carmella Marie Natural Hair Salon popup twice per month, which has been featured in Refinery29. All Carmella Marie products are:
  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw, natural, and organic ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Carmella Marie's best sellers are the Treasure Natural Styling Cream, MyGel, and M2 Moisture Mist.

My Picks
Hands down, MyGel. I've been wanting to try it for years - after seeing all the rave reviews. Admittedly, a lot of flax-based gels don't do so well on my hair. It's finicky. But let me tell YOU! Carmella put her foot and the prayers of every ancestor into that MyGel. My curls in the video for this blog post? Courtesy of MyGel. Definition poppin'. Clumped curls poppin'. All without being crazy crunchy or dry. MyGel actually makes your hair feel good - moisturized, soft and smooth. I'm a fan - and definitely going to re-up at Tru'Mane (now located in Hawthorne!) real soon.

Where to Buy
Carmella Marie products are available at www.carmellamarie.com and select retailers across Georgia, Ohio, California, and New York. Click here to find one near you!

Follow Carmella Marie on Instagram at @carmellamarie30

Coco Conscious Collective
www.cococonscious.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Coco Conscious Collective
Coco Conscious Collective was founded by Megan Johnson in 2012. As a long-time natural, she grew uncomfortable about the deceptive practices of companies that claimed to make natural hair products for Black women - touting the label "natural", but riddled with chemicals and cheap synthetics. Megan felt deeply that these companies violated the inherent trust we put into them - inviting them into our homes and using them on our hair and skin, only to be misled. Convinced that there is a higher standard to be held to, Megan started Coco Conscious Collective as a transparent, ethical alternative for women of color. Coco Conscious Collective is rooted in caring about the wellness and needs of women of color, period (a mission I can stand behind wholeheartedly). All Coco Conscious Collective products are:
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial fragrances and colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Coco Conscious Collective's best sellers are the Curly Concoctions Bundle, the Curly Concoctions Hydrating Creme, and Straight Transformations Intensive Style Primer.

My Picks
Y'all, I love, love, LOVE me some Curly Concoctions Elasticity Restore Rinse and Luster Revival Leave-In. And here's why. The Elasticity Restore Rinse is a unique, fast-acting reparative conditioner that hydrates and strengthens in record time. I use the Elasticity Restore Rinse to give my curls a quick pick me up in the shower when I don't have time for a full on deep conditioning session. Because the Elasticity Restore Rinse is jam packed with essential amino acids, my hair is hydrated, silky smooth, and strong after rinsing. Oh, and the Luster Revival Leave-In? It's like the leave-in version of the Elasticity Restore Rinse - full of those same vital amino acids, creating the perfect moisturized, frizz-free style foundation. The consistency is to die for - and can I just say that the Coco Conscious Collective packaging overall is amazing?

Where to Buy
Coco Conscious Collective products are available at www.cococonscious.com and a number of online retailers including Amazon, Jet and Target. Click here for more information!

Follow Coco Conscious Collective on Instagram @cococonscious

Curl Origin
www.curlorigin.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Curl Origin - from the makers of SheScentIt!
From the geniuses behind SheScentIt, I bring you Curl Origin! As SheScentIt's sister brand, Curl Origin was created in 2016 to cater to the specific needs of highly textured transitioning and natural hair. With a focus on making the transition from relaxed to natural easy, and the process of maintaining natural hair a breeze, moisture and health are the focal points of the Curl Origin brand. With unique blends of natural herbs, oils, and botanicals, the Curl Origins team wants to see your textured tresses flourish while making you look and feel your best. All Curl Origins products are:
  • handcrafted
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Curl Origin's best sellers are the Coconut Kukui Double Moisture Overnight Mask, Avocado & Argan Hydrating Hair Moisturizer, and the Hibiscus Shea Curl Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner.

My Picks
I'm having a serious love affair with the Hibiscus Shea Curl Hydrating Conditioner, Mango & Olive Oil Beautiful Curls Geleau, and Babassu & Mango Nourishing Styling Pomade. First of all, don't these names sound scrumptious? But let's get to the nitty gritty. The Hibiscus Shea Curl Hydrating Conditioner is PACKED with moisture. Like, I got a little emotional after I rinsed my hair. How is this life? How did 5 minutes change my outlook on rinse-out conditioners forever? Why do you have so much slip? Why don't I have you in 32oz already? You get my drift. 😂 But the truth is, the Beautiful Curls Geleau left me an emotional wreck, too. I'm deeply appreciative of anything mango, and this beautiful curl definer delivered on so many fronts it wasn't funny. Curls poppin', smooth, and moisturized. Hold without the ramen noodle effect. Shine. I literally cannot wait for Black Friday y'all. This is your notice. I'm ballin' out on Beautiful Curl Geleau.

The Babassu & Mango Nourishing Styling Pomade is another product I went absolutely nuts for. It gave me all sorts of nostalgia - reminding me of the hair food grandma used to grease my scalp with, sans the vaseline and awkward green coloring. Not only are mango and babassu the first two ingredients, it's fragranced only with essential oils - which makes it heaven sent for my scalp. Scalp massages with the Nourishing Styling Pomade are nothing short of amazing - and it works great for sealing ends, too!

Where to Buy
www.curlorigin.com

Follow Curl Origin on Instagram @curlorigin!

Curls & Potions
www.curlsandpotions.com
Curls & Potions (I clearly got in the Halloween spirit here!)
Curls & Potions was created by Michelle Fontaine-Jones, and inspired by her mother's 14-year battle with breast cancer. Seeking all-natural alternatives to skin and hair care, Michelle started out crafting under the name Butterflyz Haven, creating bath and body products. As her mother's condition worsened, Michelle's need to create something bigger, with a lasting impact that would carry on in memory of her mother. To keep her mind off her condition and health, Michelle often involved her mother in the creation stages of Curls & Potions. With each bottle and jar wrapped in pink to honor her mother's enduring battle against breast cancer, Curls & Potions is a piece of her mother's legacy, created to share with the world.

Every October, a portion of Curls & Potions sales for the year are donated to breast cancer research, fighters, and survivors. In Michelle's personal mission to craft the healthiest products for hair, all Curls & Potions offerings are:

  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with natural, raw, and organic ingredients
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicone, and petroleum
  • free of artificial colorants
  • curly girl friendly

Best Sellers
Curls & Potion's best sellers are the Curling Potion, Curling Jelly, & Babassu Sealing Oil

My Picks
Can I just say that Curls & Potions has changed the game for me on wash day?! I recently found myself reading up on the benefits of fermented rice water for hair and scalp, and I reeeeeeeally wanted to try it out. But the way my DIY life is set up, I wasn't sold on storing sour rice water on my kitchen counter for a week. Then, Curls & Potions Bamboo & Rice Water Strengthening Hair Rinse came along and listen - Michelle, just TAKE ALL MY MONEY NOW. Forget mixing oils into your deep conditioner, that wave is over. Bamboo & Rice Water Strengthening Hair Rinse is where it's at. I follow the instructions to a tee - leaving it on my freshly washed hair for 5 minutes, then layering on my deep conditioner without rinsing. Baaaaaaaaby let me tell YOU something. It makes my hair so soft, shiny, strong, and really helps my curls pop. I've also found that my scalp feels less dry. I'm devastated to report that my bottle is empty, but I'm definitely buying more. These curls are not waiting until Black Friday for re-up.

Where to Buy
www.curlsandpotions.com

Follow Curls & Potions on Instagram @curlsandpotions 

Elaine Hair & Body
www.ehbody.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Elaine Hair & Body
Elaine Hair & Body is the brainchild of Felicia Lowe, who struggled to find products that worked for her dry scalp and hair issues. After finding that none of the traditional means provided her relief, she was convinced the solution was all natural. After intense research, Felicia began developing products - testing their effectiveness on herself first, then among family and friends. Out of the relief and success of others, Elaine Hair & Body was born. Elaine Hair & Body's claim to fame is the signature porosity collections, with products formulated to work specifically with the needs of high and low porosity hair, respectively. All Elaine Hair & Body Products are:
  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Elaine Hair & Body's Best Sellers are he Low Porosity Leave-In Conditioner, Low Porosity Deep Conditioner, and Low Porosity Hair Moisturizer.

My Picks
With my low porosity crown and front/center area, I couldn't wait to see what Elaine Hair & Body had to offer my tresses. My picks are easily the Low Porosity Leave-In Conditioner and Low Porosity Hair Moisturizer. I definitely see why these two have become crowd favorites! The Low Porosity Leave-In Conditioner is low-key magical. It's lightweight, yet creamy and has great slip. It plays nicely with many of my stylers, and I've found that it doesn't sit on top of my hair. Oh and the combination of the Low Porosity Leave-In and Hair Moisturizer?! Talk about moisture for dayssssssssss! What I love the most about the combination is that even though it packs a ton of moisture (thanks to mango, sweet almond, and coconut oil), it doesn't make my hair feel greasy and it easily penetrates my strands.

Where to Buy
www.ehbody.com

Follow Elaine Hair & Body on Instagram at @elainehairbody 

For.ti.fy'd Naturals
www.fortifydnaturals.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Fortify'd Naturals
After giving birth to her youngest child and moving to an area of New York where there were no stylists to cater to Black hair, Tracy Golborne decided to begin her journey to natural in 2013. Following YouTube videos and chasing down products, Tracy found her hair and scalp in a heap of trouble as she began developing huge flakes, a peeling scalp, and extreme dryness - all of which tragically led to breakage. Hesitant to cart a baby all over town in search of products and help, Tracey began doing her own research on hair product ingredients, and her findings were shocking. Not only were some products using ingredients that caused cell damage and retina deterioration, a number of them were marketed as safe for children.

Determined to correct her hair and scalp issues, while not using synthetic products on her children Tracy set out to formulate products to truly penetrate and moisturize the hair. For.ti.fy'd Naturals goes so far as to include ingredients that combat hard water - which can exacerbate dryness in the hair. All For.ti.fy'd Naturals products are:
  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
For.ti.fy'd Naturals' best sellers include the Intense Hydrating Potion, Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner, and Growth Enhancing Moisture Therapy.

My Picks
When it comes to For.ti.fy'd, I'm a HUGE fan of the Sage Infused Black Soap Shampoo. Seriously Tracy, my scalp thanks you. Back in the day, I used to rely on Shea Moisture's African Black Soap collection for my psoriasis, but they got brand new with the formula, and took out the ingredients that made the collection effective for my hair. Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you for giving my scalp a healthy dose of plantain, sage, and tea tree for scalp relief. Moreover, thank you for being thoughtful enough to include a nozzle tip for the shampoo - it's little touches like that that let me know, "we got us".

Aside from the amazing shampoo, I love the Intense Hydrating Potion. It's super moisturizing without being greasy, has great slip, and works as a leave-in or moisturizer. It gave my hair so much shine y'all! Not to mention, it smells like a red Starburst. I don't care what the Tina meme says, red Starburst > pink Starburst all day every day.

Where to Buy
For.ti.fy'd Naturals products are available at www.fortifydnaturals.com and a number of retailers across New York, California, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas. Click here to find a retailer near you!

Follow For.ti.fy'd Naturals on Instagram at @fortifydnaturals!www.instagram.com/fortifydnaturals

Genedor Beauty
www.genedorbeauty.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Genedor Beauty
Genedor Beauty is a new (as in just launched a few months ago new), Black Owned hair and skincare brand that hails from Texas. The brainchild of Ketia Bradley, Genedor Beauty aims to take the marketplace by storm with specially crafted beauty products to meet the specific needs of Black women. Ketia is a clinical psychologist, nurse, and professor of 18 years, who draws on her clinical experience to propel Genedor Beauty forward. To learn more about Genedor Beauty, read here. all Genedor Beauty products are:
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ngredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Genedor Beauty's best sellers are the Swirl Curls Gel StylerMoisture Resuscitate Deep Conditioning TreatmentSuper Fruit Antioxidant Shampoo, and Healthy HairGummies.

My Picks
C'mon son. You already know.

Where to Buy
www.genedorbeauty.com

Follow Genedor Beauty on Instagram @genedorbeauty!

Habesha Handcrafted
www.habeshahandcrafted.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Habesha Handcrafted
Habesha Handcrafted was founded in 2014 by Kendra Monchery, a native of St. Lucia. A neighborhod stylist on the Caribbean island, Kendra regularly saw clients with scalp conditions, and sought to provide them with relief and real solutions. Using using herbal remedies and plant-based treatments was proud part of her heritage in St. Lucia that she would carry over to the United States.

Today, Kendra and her husband handcraft, package, and distribute a number of herbal solutions under the Habesha Handcrafted banner. Each product is carefully crafted with plant-based ingredients for maximum benefit to the hair and scalp, informed by her many years of work as a stylist in St. Lucia and Brooklyn. Habesha Handcrafted products are:
  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Habesha Handcrafted's best sellers include the Black Soap Herbal Shampoo, Herbal Leave-In Conditioner, Hair Growth Moisturizer & Hot Oil Treatment

My Picks
About a week ago, I posted this teaser video on Instagram. The shampoo I used in that video was none other than Habesha Handcrafted Black Soap Herbal Shampoo. Y'ALL. LISTEN. That shampoo is legit fire. I don't know how Kendra did it, but it has OFF THE CHAIN slip. I did not detangle before using that shampoo. It makes my scalp feel amazing, and doesn't leave my hair stripped. The Black Soap Herbal Shampoo is quite literally one of the BEST shampoos to ever grace my hair and scalp, period. I can't get enough of this shampoo, and you better believe it's going on the Christina's Choice 2017 list. Yep. Calling it early.

Where to Buy
Habesha handcrafted products are available at select Landcaster, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, and Dallas, Texas retailers as well as www.habeshahandcrafted.com.

Follow Habesha Handcrafted on Instagram @habeshahandcrafted!

HAIRiette
www.hairiette.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
HAIRiette
If Tanya Wright looks familiar, that's because you've probably seen her before - several times! This New York born and bred actress and naturalista has enjoyed a long career on the small screen - from the Cosby Show as Theo's girlfriend, to True Blood and Orange is the New Black. After reaching her wits end with relaxers in 2010, Tanya gave herself a big chop - and was shocked to find coily curls springing up from her scalp. Through her journey of re-learning her natural hair, she uncovered life lessons on patience, resilience, and letting go. These spiritual principles inspired Tanya to write a book, I Found God in My Hair. In 2016, Tanya branched out to create HAIRiette, her very own hair care line driven by these same principles.

HAIRiette was created to serve the unique needs of coily, kinky, and curly hair, infusing moisturizing ayurvedic botanicals with the unique HAIRiette Hydrating Complex of vegetable keratin to strengthen, protect, and grow natural hair. All HAIRiette products are:
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
HAIRiette's best sellers are the Curl Creme, Oil Blend, and Co-Wash.

My Picks
Spoiler alert - HAIRiette will be adding new products to their collection soon - one of which is DEFINITELY my pick. Issa deep conditioner, and I can't wait for y'all to experience it. It's extra rich, hydrating, and has amazing slip! Make sure you're following @hairiette on Instagram so you can be the first to know when it drops.

The other product I'm reeeeeally diggin'? The Co-Wash! It features kokum butter and marula oil, along with amino acids and botanicals. It has amazing slip, leaves my hair and scalp feeling moisturized, yet clean - and smells sooooo good. The HAIRiette Co-Wash is definitely a winner, y'all - combined with the yet-to-be-released deep conditioner, wash day is a BREEZE!

Where to Buy
HAIRiette products are available online at www.hairiette.com, in select beauty supply stores, and 6 Whole Foods stores in New York! Click here for more info!

Follow Hairiette on Instagram at @hairiette! www.instagram.com/hairiette

Inahsi Naturals
www.inahsi.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Inahsi Naturals
Founded and ran by husband and wife team Brian and Rhonda Marshall, Inahsi Naturals is quickly emerging as a serious contender in the natural hair care world. Rhonda is a cosmetic chemist (and science teacher!) by trade, with the degrees to back it up. This husband and wife duo (Rhonda and Brian Marshall) brings years of industry experience and #BlackExcellence to the table. Rhonda served as a laboratory technician for Helene Curtis/Unilever, where she worked on formulations under Suave, Salon Selectives, and Degree. Brian, who holds an MBA and degree in Mechanical Engineering brings high level manufacturing, production, and strategy together for the Inahsi brand. The end result is high end, performance-driven products made from top quality natural ingredients at a reasonable price. Inahsi Naturals products are:
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
My Picks
You guys already know my love for Inahsi Naturals runs deep. Check the receipts here. But if you're looking to experience Inahsi Naturals for yourself, I highly recommend starting with the Aloe & Hibiscus Leave-In Conditioner and Mango Hemp Restorative Deep Conditioner. Your tresses will give you a thousand and one thanks.

Where to Buy
Inahsi Naturals products are available online at www.inahsi.com and at a select few brick and mortar retailers. Click here for more info!

Follow Inahsi Naturals on Instagram @inahsinaturals

Kriya Botanicals
www.kriyabotanicals.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Kriya Botanicals
It was a fateful day in college chemistry for Claire Brown that brought Kriya Botanicals into existence. She and her classmates were formulating lotion, and needed to add Ammonium Hydroxide to the mixture. Exposure to the chemical caused Claire to experience shortness of breath - and led her down the path to discovering just how many problematic ingredients were in mainstream hair and body products. From that point in 2006, Claire made it her mission to create all-natural, effective products that would not trigger her allergies or cause adverse health reactions.

With the Kriya Botanicals relaunch in 2012, Claire positioned her brand as the forerunner in conversation around porosity-based haircare products. The Kriya Botanicals high and low porosity hair care systems pre-date any other mainstream attempts to reach naturals based on their hair porosity, and not texture. All Kriya Botanicals products are:
  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw, organic and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Kriya Botanicals' best sellers are the Low Porosity Hair Care System, High Porosity Hair Care System, and Mango Twist and Braid Holding Cream.

My Picks
Because my hair can't ever just be one thing (one texture, one porosity, one length, one color), I tried products from the Kriya Botanicals High Porosity Hair Care System, which is formulated for normal and high porosity hair. After my first time using the Honey & Fruit Cleansing Conditioner and Intense Rehab Deep Treatment Masque, I IMMEDIATELY sent Claire a DM and thanked her profusely. Not just for making products that contain strawberry, papaya, and royal jelly, but for including ingredients like turmeric banana, and hemp, which are proven to help scalp conditions like psoriasis. Y'all, my hair and scalp felt SO good after wash day with these two. I wish I could bathe them. The yellow you see in those two products? Turmeric. Freaking TURMERIC! I recently turned into a turmeric lovin' nutjob - taking turmeric supplements, adding it to my face masks - and now I can put it on my hair and scalp! I need y'all to understand how much joy this brings me. 😂

Where to Buy
www.kriyabotanicals.com

Follow Kriya Botanicals on Instagram @kriyabotanicals

Oujoi Naturals
www.oujoi.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Oujoi Naturals
First things first - Ojuoi is prounced ou-ju-wee. Second things second - Oujoi Naturals is brand new! Oujoi Naturals launched in 2017, after spending years researching and surveying naturalistas about their hair challenges. Many women complained that their wash day routines were taking too long, were too complicated, and always involved cocktailing products. Many were fed up with extreme detangling sessions, and a never-ending stash of products that couldn't meet their specific haircare needs.

Oujoi Naturals was created as a system to address one specific need - moisture. For naturals of all textures who suffer with dry hair, Oujoi delivers intense moisture in a complete wash day routine that simplifies hair care, cuts detangling time in half, and helps hair grow longer and stronger. Third things third - isn't their packaging like, everything? Y'all knew these colors were right up my alley! All Oujoi Naturals products are:

  • handcrafted
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Although Oujoi Naturals is a newborn baby, the Pear Butter 3-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner, Triple Butter Moisture Mask, and Pear Butter Moisturizing Hair Custard are the top sellers.

My Picks
Y'all, I'm officially in love with two Be Cleans. Yes, Oujoi Naturals also has a Be Clean, in the form of their Be Clean Hydrating Co-Wash. And it is amazing. Rich, creamy, and full of slip, Be Clean left my curls feeling like they touched the hem of Jesus' garment. Y'all know what I'm talking about. The experience was that real. And when it came to the Triple Butter Moisture Mask, these curls kept holding on because LISTEN! That mask is literally everything. It's thick, rich, packed with moisture, and amazing slip. And after rinsing, every problem I had literally melted away. Tangles. Dryness. Rough ends. Student loan debt. Okay, maybe not that last one, but you get my point. Be Clean Hydrating Co-Wash and Triple Butter Moisture Mask are a wash day made in heaven.

Where to Buy
www.oujoi.com

Follow Oujoi Naturals on Instagram at @oujoi!

Rucker Roots
www.ruckerroots.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Rucker Roots
Paying homage to their family roots, entrepreneurial sister duo Ellen Rucker Sellers and Ione Rucker Jamison launched Rucker Roots - a healthy haircare system designed for the natural who likes to switch it up often. Inspired by their grandmother Ruth, a hair model for Cannoline Hair Products (one of the first companies specializing in Black hair care) and mother Ruby, who always advocated her daughters keep their hair relaxer-free, Rucker Roots taps into the Rucker sisters' rich South Carolina history to deliver natural solutions for natural hair.

The 4 products in the Rucker Roots collection work together, creating a lightweight yet moisturizing blowout system that does not compromise the integrity of natural hair. The products can be used on natural hair without heat, but they really shine when it's time to blow dry, silk press, or wand curl natural hair. The Rucker Roots system seals in moisture to protect against heat damage, maintaining cuticle health and ensuring that hair bounces back without damage. All Rucker Roots products are:
  • cruelty free
  • vegan
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, and petroleum
Best Sellers
Rucker Roots' best sellers are the Smoothing Sulfate Free Shampoo, Detangling Cpnditioner, and Silkening Growth Serum.

My Picks
First things first - let me say I am 137% HERE for a Black owned blowout and silk press system that combines natural ingredients to preserve and maintain the integrity of our hair. The natural hair community is not as rigid as it used to be (thank God), so there's plenty of room for a brand like Rucker Roots to thrive. Many naturals switch it up seasonally, and others just want to rock straight hair without a relaxer. Either way, Rucker Roots is a win.

While it's not quite time for me to straighten my hair again, I tried out the system on my natural hair texture and I'm legit still impressed. Everything contains the Rucker Root Complex, which is a proprietary blend of ginger, carrot, and turnip extracts to stimulate hair growth, strengthen at the follicle, prevent hair loss, and control flaking. It gets better from there! The Smoothing Sulfate Free Shampoo legitimately smooths the hair. My ends tend to get really dry, and not a crispy end was found after shampooing. The Detangling Conditioner lives up to the hype - with crazy slip, tons of moisture, and everything I'd want to see in a product line meant to protect my hair from heat damage.

When it's time to straighten my hair again, you best believe I'm reaching for Rucker Roots.

Where to Buy
www.ruckerroots.com

Follow Rucker Roots on Instagram @ruckerroots!

Sarenzo Beauty
www.sarenzobeauty.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Just a small sampling of what Sarenzo Beauty has to offer
Founded by Sarah Sarenzo, Sarenzo Beauty is a one-stop shop for everything from natural deodorant to styling creams. Sarenzo's hair care products stand out from the pack because not only do they carry an impressive scent library (spoiler alert: everything smells edible), but they're also all shea butter free. Yep, anti-shea butter folks, rejoice! Sarenzo has your back. Additionally, Sarenzo Beauty products are:
  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
My Picks
Full disclosure - I almost tried to eat the Sarenzo Beauty Hair Pudding. Before you judge me, hear me out. The fragrance is apple crisp - sweet, with a hint of twang and warm cinnamon. You could blindfold me, tell me it was a scoop of apple pie filling, and I'd believe you.

I told you, don't be so quick to judge.

In addition to smelling like a slice of decadence, the Hair Pudding has TONS of moisture and slip. I fell in love using it to put my hair in chunky twists - it made detangling my dry hair super easy (I didn't even need water), and my twists were hydrated, shiny, and juicy. When I took it down, my twist out pattern was poppin' - but if you know me, you know I don't do twist outs. 😂But if you love a good defined twist out, definitely give the Hair Pudding a Try.

The other product I couldn't get enough of is one I've heard my girl Ashkins Curls RAVE about - the Clay Wash. I have it in Peppermint & Tea Tree and it's quite literally amazing. Not only does it gently cleanse and make my curls pop, it makes my scalp tingle with buildup busting goodness. I'm all for brands replacing my bootleg DIYs with products that blow them out of the water - and the Clay Wash is definitely on that list!

Where to Buy
www.sarenzobeauty.com

Follow Sarenzo Beauty on Instagram @sarenzobeauty!

Tailored Beauty
www.tailoredbeautyproducts.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Tailored Beauty
After doing research on healthy hair care practices, Tailored Beauty founder Keya James decided to give up relaxers and go on a healthy hair journey - using YouTube to document the process. In 2012, she started making her own whipped shea butter, which would later come to be the Tailored Beauty Everything Butter. Later that year, she became pregnant with her first child - Summer James. Keya used Everything Butter on her stomach throughout her entire pregnancy - with no stretch marks as a result! After Summer was born in 2013, Keya was convinced the only way to care for her and her daughter's hair was with all natural products she made herself. In showing her YouTube audience the products she made for her and her daughter, subscribers began requesting batches of Everything Butter for themselves. 

Sensing an emerging opportunity, Keya and her husband Aaron James started Tailored Beauty later that year - leveraging their degrees in Business to grow the Tailored Beauty brand. All Tailored Beauty products are:
  • handcrafted
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Tailored Beauty's best sellers are the Everything Butter, Moisturizing Mist, and Perfect Coils Curling Jelly.

My Picks
When it comes to Tailored Beauty, I roll heavy with the Coconut Creme Conditioner and Perfect Coils Curling Jelly. And here's why. The Coconut Creme Conditioner is thick, but not impossible, rich, but not greasy, and super moisturizing. The slip is off the chain, and I LOVE the sweet, creamy coconut smell. Not only is it a stellar rinse out and deep conditioner, it can also be used as a co-wash! It's literally 3 products in 1, and is amazing at every single task. Next, I'm going to try it as a leave-in - because why not? The Coconut Creme Conditioner is top notch, and I can't get enough!

I feel like Black owned businesses are really honing in on this gel thing, and as a wash & go girl, I'm deeply appreciative. I don't have those easy, breezy, loosey goosey curls that turn into perfect spirals with two pumps of creme serum. These curls take WORK - but it's a delicate dance. I need hold and definition, but I don't want my hair stuck to my head. I like shine, but not grease. And at the same time, I don't want my hair feeling dry. I don't mind shrinkage and small hair on day 1, but I'm expecting fullness come day 2 and 3. It's a tall order, and I'll be the first to say that Tailored Beauty Perfect Coils Curling Jelly delivers on all those fronts. My only wish is that it came in a bigger jar. Ya girl needs more than 8oz!

Where to Buy
Tailored Beauty Products are available online at www.tailoredbeautyproducts.com and at select retailers. Click here for more details!

Follow Tailored Beauty on Instagram @tailoredbeauty!

Tree Naturals
www.treenaturals.com
17 Black Owned Natural Hair Brands to Watch in 2018
Tree Naturals
In the early stages of her natural hair journey, Tree Sales struggled terribly with moisture retention. With YouTube providing little help, Tree began crafting her own products from scratch - out of sheer frustration. Friends, family, and co-workers took notice of her visibly healthier hair, and wanted to know her secret. Soon after, Tree Naturals was born.

Beyond ingredients, Tree believes that the source matters. Since the inception of Tree Naturals, the brand has always sourced their materials in ways that support the people and land that produce them. The raw, unrefined shea butter used in Tree Naturals products is harvested and curated by a fair trade group in Ghana that offers economic and social empowerment opportunities to local communities. Tree Naturals rests on a simple philosophy - doing the right thing. All Tree Naturals products are:
  • handcrafted in small batches
  • cruelty free
  • paraben free
  • sulfate free
  • made with raw and natural ingredients
  • free of artificial colorants
  • free of phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, and petroleum
  • curly girl friendly
Best Sellers
Tree Naturals' best sellers include the Rice Flower & Shea Leave-In Conditioner, Whipped Curl Creme, and Natasha's Growth Butter.

My Picks
The Rice Flower & Shea Leave-In is dripping with herbal decadence, literally. It's creamy, has tons of slip, but doesn't leave hair feeling weighed down or heavy. It is really an ideal product to lay the foundation for a great wash n' go or braid-out style. It plays nicely with many gels in my stash, so I'm not worried about dryness or flakes - and the moisture is long lasting. Plus, it doubles as a daily moisturizer!

Now let's get in to the other product I'm like basically flipping out over. The Calm Conditioner Bar with Green Tea & Coconut is amazing. I used it like 4 years ago (seriously, October 2013), and I was excited about a conditioning product in solid form. This time around, I'm like - this is some next level ish! Tree was before her time with this one! Yes, it's solid like a soap bar, and you can rub it on your wet hair to condition it, sans bubbles. HOWEVER - if you want to experience the Black owned version of that Lush Kinky stuff everybody ran out to buy (that I side-eyed the crap out of), I highly recommend picking up the Calm Conditioner Bar instead. And here's why. When you take a slice of the conditioner bar and place it in hot water, it melts into a creamy, hot-oil style treatment. And if you let it cool down? It takes on the full-fledged consistency of conditioner. I kid you not - I did it myself and I'll show you pictures later! It's amazing. And it existed before that Lush stuff. So yeah. #boom

Where to Buy
Tree Naturals products are available online at www.treenaturals.com, and a dozen brick and mortar retailers. Click here to see if one is near you!

Follow Tree Naturals on Instagram at @treenaturals!

Alright you guys - these are my rising star Black owned natural hair brand picks for 2018. Who you got? Let me know in the comments below. I can't wait to see where these brands are a year from now! Stay tuned for the ULTIMATE Black Friday Sale List - Coming November 2017!

11 Comments

  1. Your list of the top-and-upcoming black-owned natural hair care products for 2018 is awesome! You took the guest work out of selecting the best! I Love Alodia Hair Care Products!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now this list is like subscribing to a natural hair subscription for free!! Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good! More similar and helpful info you can find here!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I will be looking to try out some of these products and I am going to copy the list. I wonder if any of these are on the shelf in store or on order.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Excellent site CustomEssayMeister for schoolchildren and students. Here you can find the best tips on how to write a better essay.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is one of the best posts I’ve ever read here. Thank you for this list

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for publishing such great information. You are doing such a great job. This information is very helpful for everyone. Keep it up. Thanks. Premier Online Shop For Luxury Beauty Products

    ReplyDelete