Hair! It’s what we know, do and love. From hair weaves to natural skincare, the Black beauty industry is a BIG deal!
Today, we are afforded the luxury to look and feel fabulous with ease, affordability, and convenience. The ability to alter our hair texture, color, and style has become second nature to so many women of color.
Black Beauty Business Innovators
This month, we pay special homage to women that have made VIP what it is today. Below are just a few trailblazers and Black business innovators we acknowledge and honor.
Madam C.J. Walker was the first Black woman millionaire in America. And her homemade line of hair care products for Black women brought her fortune. She was born Sarah Breedlove to parents who had been enslaved. After an experience with hair loss, she was inspired to create her hair products. This led to the creation of the ‘Walker System’ hair care product line.
A talented entrepreneur with a knack for self-promotion, Walker built a business empire. First, she started selling products directly to Black women. Afterwards, she employed ‘beauty culturalists’ to hand-sell her wares.
In addition to Poro College, Malone also developed her own brand of beauty products, including a hair straightener. Annie was a forward thinker and dedicated to women of color. She was known as a generous entrepreneur and philanthropist. Most importantly, Malone was one of the first African American women to become a millionaire.
Together, these beauty business innovators have help paved the way for others. Plus, they set high professional standards for the beauty industry. They are exemplary examples of how great we can be despite the adversity we often face as women of color.
With countless colors, lengths, and textures, hair weaves continue to gain increased popularity among women of color. They provide an abundance of versatility and endless possibilities for beautiful hairstyles.
Christina came up with the idea of attaching the hair to a net and then sew the hair onto the client’s head using cornrows as a base. She called the technique the ‘Hairweeve’. I’ve never given it much thought before. But I’m happy to learn we can credit the hair weaving process to another remarkable woman of color.
You may also enjoy reading: What We Don’t Know About Black History
