I only use “brand name” hair products
*drops head shamefully in hands and dramatically sobs*
Antoinette and I have been fortunate enough to receive some really awesome, stuffed gift bags from recent hair events that we were invited to. Within the bags are a great mix and mingle of hair products from the heavy weights and well known name brand products (Kinky Curly, Oyin, Mix Chicks, SheaMoisture etc) and then the not so well known brands that are trying to make a name for themselves.
I am being really honest when I say that if I have never heard of them, I don’t bang with ’em. I avoid trying the product out at all costs. I give them away some times! Uggggggh! I am so ashamed! I hate myself! But I can’t help myself!
I am brainwashed and only when it comes to hair products and maybe nail polish (big ups to Essie and O.P.I) But in other areas, I don’t give a damn about brand names like shoes, clothes, bags, etc.
I am writing this hoping that maybe someone will (in no particular order)
1)Chastise me for my boofoonery
2) Be gentle afterwards and explain they too suffered from brand name brain washing
3) Offer some words of advice and a process in which to liberate my mind and open myself up to some fabulous, promising hair products from the genius of small business.
Hello. My name is Erica and i am recovering name-brand aholic (hi Erica- nervous chuckle). Only CK and DKNY fit my rear without sag, only Domino sugar in my baked goods (for shame), and only Prince cds are worth the price.
I have since came out of this mindset. Prince on mp3 is just fine with me, agave nectar is magic, and i am sick of wearing pants.
I deprogrammed because I didnt like feeling bound to any one thing, they could all change but I was holding myself hostage. In matters of my hair, i stick as close to the promised ingredient as possible (i can buy a car for the price of argon oil), that keeps my ego in check and my costs down.
so….. don't worry- be airy.
Lol, Hi group my name is Courtney and I too only use name brand products… And I'm the same way I will wear clothes, shoes, and bags from anywhere as long as its cute. But I just think of my hair as my crown of glory, and seeing that its been talked about for going on 17 years for being natural (started in the 90's when it wasn't so cool).. it deserves to be pampered and treated special. Because without it I just wouldn't be me.
I understand the overhead the small entrepreneur has to factor into their product pricing.
+cost of procuring ingredients
+cost of ingredients
+cost of equipment
+cost of packaging and preparing
= one expensive product
Not everyone is lucky enough to turn their production line over to Target.
But come on – a lot of these companies see us comining with money in our hands! #suckers
Some of us naturals are SO desperate for a good hair day that we will pay ANYTHING to find an HG product.
Case in point – I had an EPIC FAIL with As-I-Am Jelly+Leave in on my 4c coils. I was so caught up in the hype that I was ready to plunk down another $27 for the Double-Butter!! I woke up and came to my senses and put that stuff back on the shelf and walked away.
Cost is no guarantee of performance.
If it doesn't work in your hair, I don't care how much it costs – price point is NOT an assurance of quality.
At first, I didn't really understand the importance of name brand hair products, but I too realized that I am brain washed also when it comes to purses. For the most part, I don't care if anything else like clothes and such is name brand or not, but my bags must have a label. I can't help it. I'm ashamed but no one's perfect.
I'm the opposite, I'm always trolling and will try an unknown or newb as long as I [heart] the ingredients, the reviews are promising, the online presence is innovative and the producer is VERY knowledgeable and transparent (personal story, eco-committment, etc.).
But new products are a health and financial risk so I understand the caution! SAMPLES are my BFFs. They're wallet- and eco-friendly allowing you enough times at bat to evaluate and completely use up the little you've got. If no samples are available I make sure I know what I want from the product, have asked plenty of questions and have the money. I've taken a lot of chances and am 50/50 on loving the results so I feel it's worth it! Great hair btw!
Don't sweat it. For many of us, maintaining our natural beauty and hair is an evolving process. I've been natural for 13 years now. My product preferences changes as my skin and hair changes and continue to mature.
To tell you the honest truth. Whatever works for your hair…works. And by that pic, your hair is beautiful. If I found a really good name brand product that made my hair look like yours there would be no reason to try something else. Usually people trying so many things trying to find the right product end up messing up something…hair falling out. Scalp dry. LOL. Some advice… don't be afraid to try new things if it saves money. But be balanced. If it works for you now it will continue to work. So don't take unnecessary risks with your hair.
I can totally relate. You are definitely NOT alone. I think all naturally curly girls use whatever their hair likes; regardless of price sometimes. Budgeting oneself and buying those products in a larger size seems to make the price not look so high.
If your wallet is not offended don't worry about it. You do you girl!
Everything with a name on it is a brand isn't it?
Nicol C.
I won't get mad because you use name brands, whatever floats your boat. Like The Curly Chris said earlier its about the ingredients you use that give you the most benefit. I love love love Oyin Handmade but I don't buy their products often due to the price. The only time I really get big name brands is when they are on sale, it's the only way I can afford them on my grad school stipend lol. But don't necessarily buy all the hype for these expensive products. If the ingredients are the same as something that already works no need to spend more money.
I won't get mad because you use name brands, whatever floats your boat. Like The Curly Chris said earlier its about the ingredients you use that give you the most benefit. I love love love Oyin Handmade but I don't buy their products often due to the price. The only time I really get big name brands is when they are on sale, it's the only way I can afford them on my grad school stipend lol. But don't necessarily buy all the hype for these expensive products. If the ingredients are the same as something that already works no need to spend more money.
I won't get mad because you use name brands, whatever floats your boat. Like The Curly Chris said earlier its about the ingredients you use that give you the most benefit. I love love love Oyin Handmade but I don't buy their products often due to the price. The only time I really get big name brands is when they are on sale, it's the only way I can afford them on my grad school stipend lol. But don't necessarily buy all the hype for these expensive products. If the ingredients are the same as something that already works no need to spend more money.
Well, I definitely cannot relate to your issue, but I will not chastise you at all. I am willing to try store bought poos and conditioners, because I don't think people should spend a ton of money on simple stuff. It's not worth it! But, I would spend more money on a good leave-in or styling product.
To tell the truth, I recently tried out some of Oyin and Curl Junkie products. My hair has responded to those products like a dream. I kind of wish I would have tried them out much sooner. I have Shea Moisture products on my bathroom shelf and I love their products, too! But, my hair appears to love Oyin and Curl Junkie a little bit more than SM. Now that I've tried those brands, I am hooked. My pocketbook is in trouble now! Damn! Therefore, I can understand your reluctance to take a chance on a product that may give you lackluster results. If the name-brand products work for you, than keep using them. Don't feel bad about it!
I too agree with CurlyChris. It amazes me how I can watch all these YTbers and bloggers gush about how great these products are, and they get me all excited until they say the price and I'm immediately deflated. Just because we no longer spend money on relaxers does not mean we want to spend it on crazy expensive products. Learning not to believe the hype as she said comes with experience and knowing what your hair likes.
My advice to you would be the same as what many of us apply to shopping. There are some products worth the splurge just like it's suggested that we splurge on classic pieces of clothing or shoes. Choose your favorite product, observe the ingredients and see if there is a more affordable option containing those same or most of those ingredients that will provide you your same desired results. 🙂 Good Luck.
I happen to agree with Curly Chris. Well said lady! I am currently transitioning ( last relaxer 10 months ago). In a ten month period I have become a product junkie. I have purchased expensive (Ms. Jessie) and the inexpensive (Suave). I learned quickly to comparison shop my products. As I am still in the experimenting phase, I am open to trying the weird and different as long as it has the right ingredients and it fits my budget. No shame in my game.
I am in total agreement with thecurlychris. at one point many of these bigger brands were kitchen manufactured. i don't care about the brand, i care about quality. non synthetic, organic, great for the hair ingredients is what i give a care about. i have a long list of products that i'd like to try; many of them making their start on youtube. i also use many of shea moisture's and LOVE them because they are efficacious and cheaper. when i first started on my hhj i tried miss jessies. won't catch me doing that again. if i wanted products full of synthetic chemicals, i could do so for much, much cheaper. KBB's products are wonderful and i honestly still use them on a regular basis, but i have to get a line of credit just to buy products. some of these smaller lines are just as wonderful and are more budget friendly.
I can relate baby girl!! But i just thought i do it because i'm a newb. If I tried unknown named products how would i know if its not working for my hair or my regimen in general is wack. So for me, right now i'm sticking too well known and what others are saying "this is the ish!". When i get at least a few years under my belt, hopefully i'll branch out some more 😀
I like my brands on my body……I could less about what brands go in my hair what ever i like i will buy for the hair it could be brand on not……
I wont lie, I was DEFINATELY a name brand person. I believe it has a lot to do with the brand being established, ingrediants, and quality as most have already mentioned. But mostly for me, I like CONSISTANT RESULTS.
However, over the years, many products, and busting my bank acct. I've learned that you don't have to purchase all exspensive name brands to get good results! I still have a few brand name products that I will still get, one being Qhemet Biologics (burdock root butter cream)#INLOVEWITHTHESTUFF and a few others. But other than that, I've found average priced products that work very well in conjuction with some oils, honey, etc.!!!:)
As someone new to the natural hair forum, I was also going after the big name brands because that's all I had to go on being a newbie. However I fell in love with All Things O'Natural Dominique and all her information that she willingly offered on her blogs that I decided to try her products the second she made them available for purchase and let me tell you, I LOVE THEM!!! Her natty moist, natty butter, and acv mist are staples for me and my family. I do still use Shea Moisture products and just tried Qhemet Biologics Honey bush gel, but sometimes it can't hurt to try to little guy sometimes too :0)
I tend to look primarily at the ingredients AND the cost when it comes to finding products for my hair. As a new natural (8 months after a 10 month transition), I admit that I have become a product junkie, but I have become more tamed as I find out what works for me.
I think paying $20-$25 for a shampoo or conditioner is ridiculous, especially when there are similar products $10 and under that yield the same results. My hair is not too picky. As long as I keep it moisturized, it will pretty much take to any shampoo/conditioner.
My staple products right now are from the Shea Butter line and CD: The SM Moisture Retention Shampoo/Conditioner, and CD Loc Butter, and Mimosa Hair Honey. I REALLY like that both lines are natural. And all are reasonably priced! And I'd rather spend the money saved on shoes! lol
~caramelcurls
CurlyChris said:
"My takeaway….Don't believe the hype! Your favorite bloggers are often gifted expensive products…the rest of us have to spend our own money. My advice is to look closely at the ingredients, learn what works well for your hair, and don't bust your budget."
YAAASS!!! SAY IT AGAIN!
I don't chastise people, so I wouldn't do that to you. My suggestion is to take a look at why you prefer name brands over smaller businesses. Personally, I prefer the smaller brands opposed to the name brands. No matter what, my hair will be healthy and growing as long as I take care of it. I think that name brands are just that, just a name. Their marketing is on a larger scale and in my opinion, expensive! My hair thrives off using natural products. Generally, I make my own hair products and use oils and butters. When I purchase products, I look at the list of ingredients along with my budget and go from there. Don't beat yourself up or be ashamed. Your hair is beautiful and that's the most important.
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First and foremost, there is no shame in being brain-washed because our hair is our crowning glory and while others maybe playful with different products, others are more reserved and rather stick to what works. I have a mix of curls in my hair ranging from 2c-3c. My curl pattern has become really loose since I have been doing keratin treatments which is good and bad so I usually am really cautious about what I put in my hair although I dabble in different products every so often. Do what feels right for you and your hair and if you feel as if you should be less reserved at trying out budget friendly products that is up to you. Take care and enjoy those name brand products!
I can relate to a point.
I've been natural for over 14 years and I've always used established brands. However, there were far fewer products that worked well on my natural hair 14 years ago. My haircare production evolution: Paul Mitchell to Aveda to Miss Jessie's to Bumble&Bumble to Mixed Chicks to Moroccan Oil to Kinky Curly to Shea Moisture.
The problem with many of the brands I have used is that they are way too expensive. I absolutely loved the Moroccan Oil curl creme but at $45 for the largest bottle (that was not actually large), it was breaking the bank. And their pure Argan oil is fabulous, but the price…WTH?
Miss Jessie's is ridiculously expensive even now that it is more mass marketed. Kinky Curly products didn't work well enough for my 3c/4a hair to justify the cost. Plus, when I look at the ingredients, I don't understand why their products are so pricey.
I discovered Shea Moisture just over a year ago and it has become my staple for hair (AND skin) care. Their products are all-natural, mostly organic, reasonably priced, AND give great results in terms of hair health and versatile styling options. I recommend Shea Moisture all the time and stress the affordability and effectiveness.
My takeaway….Don't believe the hype! Your favorite bloggers are often gifted expensive products…the rest of us have to spend our own money. My advice is to look closely at the ingredients, learn what works well for your hair, and don't bust your budget.
Look at the ingredients. I do the same thing at times but if I find any product with ingredients that sound quenching and natural, I'll at least try it. But don't get me wrong, all of my food items and toiletries are 100% brand name. And I ain't ashamed. 😉
Your hair looks fab! No chastising coming from me. I say do you and what works for your hair. It is hard to deviate from the tried and trusted products that yield the best results for you. I recently succumbed to one of these new comers and did not get the result I wanted. :(. But hey, you live, you try new products and you go on to curl another day. 🙂
As far as hair products are concerned, I completely understand. It takes alot of work and effort to maintain kinky/curly hair. The name brand products have already built a name for themselves. You come to expect a certain quality with them. With the newer brands, I just don't know what I'm getting and quite frankly, I am not willling to experiment with my hair. This is why I am not a product junkie..lol.
The only exception to this rule is kimmaytube or naptural85. If they came out with a product , I probably would try it because more than likely, it would be done right. But then again, they've both built trusted brands for themselves and I know how they take care of their hair..
Don't stress yourself. I only use two types of items on my hair–things I've made myself, or brand name items. It's perfectly normal to want to use something that has a solid reputation. Doing so can save a person from a lot of grief.
Yea I can totally agree with you on this! I only used products I feel have popular demand. I know recently or maybe for awhile Moisture has a new line of natural products that I'm psych to try out!
I completely understand, i mean but your not too bad right? If you saw a kinky curly product, and then say (just say) another product with the same ingridients but cheaper, please tell me you would try the weird but hopeful store brand right?
I agree as well! I think there are a lot of brands randomly popping up, because they see the response "going natural" is getting. Many brands, from the big names to the mom and pop shops, are coming out with natural products. I feel like a lot of them are just throwing anything together to ride the natural hair wave. I'll pass. I only use what is tried and true. It works for me, and I'm sticking to it.
I can relate. Where I live people do this with clothes as well they will only where Abercrombie &Fitch t-shirts and Vans. It's sad but it's human nature if something is more expensive-there fore more coveted then people are going to automatically assume that product is better.
Dont worry, we all have an affinity towards brands we recognize, because they have a bit more credibility than a product without a strong reputation. Which is why branding and having a strong history is so important. Of course none of us would like you to lose any of those beautiful curls so continue to work with brands you trust. In the event that you would like to be a bit more daring, look up some of the "newly introduced" brands and read some of the reviews. There are many curlies out there who are extreme product junkies and live for the chance of trying the latest products first. See what they say about it and then decide if its worthwhile to use in your hair.
You have wonderful curls and I'm glad you are not taking them for granted.
Lots of Love,
Dani
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i cant even be mad at you! i do the same thing because i already know, according to many reviews, about the name brand products. i also think many of us correlate high price with high quality especially when you consider how badly we want the best for our hair. and at least you're not throwing them away; you find value in them by offering your non name brand products to other people, maybe they'll enjoy it! its all good cause i can totally relate lol