We are all familiar with the process of going to the beauty aisle to find new products to try on our hair. Whether you have pin straight hair or kinky natural hair, finding the right hair products is super important. But have you ever noticed how in the haircare aisle there’s a huge section with brands like Pantene and Garnier and then way in the corner, there is a small section labeled “ethnic” hair care? The segregation of the hair care aisle is a subtle experience for women of color that makes us feel like our needs are completely other and not valued. Simultaneously, it propagates the idea that women with other hair textures can’t benefit from products made for women of color. In reality, many of the products that are created for natural textures are made from natural ingredients that could be beneficial to all hair types.
In a new commercial, popular hair brand Shea Moisture, addressed the segregation of beauty aisles through a campaign called #BreakTheWalls. The movement calls for all of us to examine how things as simple as separating certain hair care products enforce outdated standards of beauty. Check out the commercial here!
Sources:
http://abullseyeview.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/shea-moisture.jpg
http://media2.popsugar-assets.com/files/2016/04/07/667/n/1922398/362f27a…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLHOad-3msVTFMh6_6rYrR45k5TY-r4Var&v=…