Does it make a difference if you use "blacker" hair products?

Hello All!

I have a quick and simple question: does it make a difference if you use products that are more so geared toward black people? I use commercial products such as herbal essences and tresemme and i love them! But my mother thinks otherwise..

She thinks I need to go to more "black" beauty supply stores instead of going to white stores to get my hair products. I do live in the suburbs and I have to go to the "hood" in order to get there lol. I don't think it makes a difference but apparently she does. She's always trying to remind me that I'm black and I need to stop trying to be something I'm not. Its quite annoying....grrrrrr

In my defense, is there any point I can use against this small-minded theory?

Thanks!!

I've only been natural for 4 months but I'm more concerned about ingredients than "products". I try to purchase products that are good for my hair and there are several lists on this site that gives good guidelines.

My personal opinion is that many "black" products are not geared towards natural hair and many "white" products are the same, so I just look at the ingredients and don't get concerned with all the labels.

Another thing to remember is that what works for one head of hair may not work for others.

An additional thought - most of the natural products don't market to a specific ethnicity but to people who are concerned with ingredients and taking care of their hair. Just a thought [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I look at ingredients. More often than not I've noticed the products targeted for marketing to African-Americans have mineral oil or petroleum.

I also look at ingredients when buying products and not who the product is marketed to. The majority of products which are marketed towards african-american people and sold in black beauty supply stores are not even owned by african-americans anymore.

For example L'oreal which sells Garnier Fruictus owns Soft Sheen Carson which sells Dark n Lovely and Optimum products which are marketed towards african-americans.

Buy based on ingredients, and it doesn't matter who it's geared to.

DvaAuNaturel wrote:I look at ingredients. More often than not I've noticed the products targeted for marketing to African-Americans have mineral oil or petroleum.

Exactly.