Why do we get emotional when we talk about hair products?

02 October 2009 ~ 48 Comments

Why do we get emotional when we talk about hair products?

So Rachel, our amazing guest product reviewer, just wrapped up a series on her top 15 drugstore conditioners. Afterwards I asked BGLH readers to weigh in on what they felt about the products that made it to Rachel’s top 15. Yeh, we all have different textures and our hair responds to different things but it’s always helpful, in my opinion, to discuss and compare notes.

Sooo for some reason people were getting kinda, how should I say… possessive? defensive? rude? when it came to giving their opinion, which really baffled me. I actually had to reject a few comments… and it wasn’t even a retrospective post!

So I want to know; Why do people get so emotional when it comes to discussing hair products? Why do people get offended if “their product” doesn’t make it to a top 15 list? Like honestly, I really want to know.

I have a theory on this. But I will reserve it until after I’ve heard your thoughts.

Also, I thought it would be helpful to post a close-up of Rachel’s texture so you can get a sense of what she’s testing these products on. (She is so cute, by the way!)

But yeh, I want to hear your two pence on this!!

***update @ 8:02 a.m. … I wrote this in the comment box…

I find that we, in the natural hair community, want to pick and choose when we appreciate diversity. When it’s about profiling different textures of hair, we’re all about it. When it’s talking products, for some reason the fractures begin.

There is no way that everything that works for Rachel will work for the rest of us. But it will work for some of us. And for those who it doesn’t work for, there are plenty opportunities to discuss and compare notes. (It’s called the comment box.)

Even in the little BGLH blogger trio consisting of J, Shari and I, we use TOTALLY different products. I have the kinkiest texture, which rules out many drugstore products for me. I have to stick with natural substances (cassia, castor oil, water, etc.) Meanwhile Shari can experiment wildly on her head. She has a looser texture and stronger hair.

When I heard the feedback on Rachel’s post, I wondered if there was some underlying bitterness that Rachel does have a strong texture that can stand up better to silicones, sulfates, etc.

I find that the looser the texture, the easier it is to use products that were originally made for white/hispanic/asian/loose or straight textured women. While those of us with coarser textures (including myself) have to be more careful.

But I don’t understand why this would cause bitterness, rudeness or anger. Rachel was very clear that her list was a SUBJECTIVE list. She mentioned that at the beginning of almost every post. I think having her on the site is a valuable way to get discussion on products started.

48 Responses to “Why do we get emotional when we talk about hair products?”

Alaina 2 October 2009 at 4:49 am Permalink

Wow, I can't believe people were acting out because their products DIDN'T make it.

I made a post about the L'Oreal products and one of you guys were nice enough to respond. However, it baffles me as to why someone would become upset if their product didn't make the cut. If it works for you, it works for you. . .one shouldn't need validation from ANYONE if a product is working for you. The products I use from the drugstore didn't make it either, but that doesn't mean that I'm doing something "wrong" or that my product is garbage. Different things work for different people.

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NEA 2 October 2009 at 4:58 am Permalink

I don't know…it's a another form of madness. I'm a certified, card-carrying, "recovering" PJ, but I don't get any kickbacks from the product companies. I should…LOL!

I don't know what's wrong with folks. They take what should be fun and enlightening, and turn it into something heavyweight and ugly.

Sorry about that!

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Jc 2 October 2009 at 11:07 am Permalink

I guess we got the censored version so it is hard to say. I do think that the list was incomplete because the most popular products that I have seen with naturals are

1. Herbal essences hello hydration
2. Pantene relaxed and naturals
3. Lustrasilk

In my opinion, here are a few reasons why people may not like the list.

1. Too many products with silicones (yes Rachel did say she doesn't shy away from them but most curlies do)
2. There was advice on how relaxed/texlaxed people could benefit so it wasn't really clear if Rachel had tried these products on her natural hair.
3. The list was missing some real favourites

I think that Rachel did a great job in contributing her knowledge. I do think that people being rude is just bad manners. I think being critical of the list is expected and acceptable, but rudeness, no.

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Liza 2 October 2009 at 11:25 am Permalink

I don't understand getting emotional over hair products that you didn't make yourself. Also, what were some of these comments? The ones in response to the post didn't seem at all defensive.

The one thing I will say is that Rachel herself said her hair could withstand much abuse and she uses products with sulfates and mineral oil. Many of us come to this blog for helpful information and most of us don't have indestructable hair that can take abuse. A lot of us (me in particular) wouldn't use (or have used and they didn't work well) 1/2 of the stuff on Rachel's list, but that still is not a reason to be rude or mean. I actually got put on to that J/A/S/O/N conditioner (w/ biotin in it) from Rachel so I'm very thankful for her reviews (even if I didn't like most of the products she did).

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Black girl with long hair 2 October 2009 at 11:28 am Permalink

@ Liza… You won't see those comments because they were deleted.

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Black girl with long hair 2 October 2009 at 1:00 pm Permalink

@ Jc… yes, of course Rachel has tried these on her natural hair, lol. I wouldn't have her on the site if she hadn't.

As far as the three most popular products you mentioned. None of those really work well for me. And I mention that just to illustrate that, really, the natural hair community is really diverse.

And, this next statement is not directed at you specifically but a general observation; I find that we, in the natural hair community, want to pick and choose when we appreciate diversity. When it's about profiling different textures of hair, we're all about it. When it's talking products, for some reason the fractures begin.

There is no way that everything that works for Rachel will work for the rest of us. But it will work for some of us. And for those who it doesn't work for, there are plenty opportunities to discuss and compare notes. (It's called the comment box.)

Even in the little BGLH blogger trio consisting of J, Shari and I, we use TOTALLY different products. I have the kinkiest texture, which rules out many drugstore products for me. I have to stick with natural substances (cassia, castor oil, water, etc.) Meanwhile Shari can experiment wildly on her head. She has a looser texture and stronger hair.

When I heard the feedback on Rachel's post, I wondered if there was some underlying bitterness that Rachel does have a stronger texture that can stand up better to silicones, sulfates, etc.

I find that the looser the texture, the easier it is to use products that were originally made for white/hispanic/asian/loose or straight textured women. While those of us with coarser textures (including myself) have to be more careful.

But I don't understand why this would cause bitterness, rudeness or anger. Rachel was very clear that her list was a SUBJECTIVE list. She mentioned that at the beginning of almost every post. I think having her on the site is a valuable way to get discussion on products started. I would have hoped that others would realize that, and I have to say, I was really disappointed.

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Mel 2 October 2009 at 2:08 pm Permalink

At first I thought,"What in the world is wrong with these women? They must seriously be lunatics. They are not making/selling/profitting from the product; so what's the deal?" Then I read your take on it, and it made a lot of sense. A number of natural women I know underwent the BC b/c their relaxed hair was very damaged. It was their alternative to a weave. It was their last resort. I'm not saying this is the case for ALL naturals or even the majority, but the "last-resort-naturals" do exist and are well represented in the natural community. I have a friend who has been natural for 8 years and still "hates" her hair and OPENLY wishes it was a different texture. I think "Dag, if you're that unhappy, relax it again, weave it up. Do something". What's the point of having natural hair, if you don't see it's beauty??? You won't feel pretty and you probably will neglect upkeeping it so that it won't look pretty either. All that to say, I think when those readers see stuff like
"Soft, swinging, shiny, pin-straight hair, that grew without issue…It's thick in strand and density, grows a bit faster than average and for whatever reason, doesn't tangle"
in her last post, the claws come out. Rather than seeing this as matter-of-fact, it's taken as boastful, a reminder that they don't have the hair that they wish they did. For some ladies, just because they're natural doesn't mean they're comfortable with it…

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NEA 2 October 2009 at 2:28 pm Permalink

@ black girl with long hair,

Don't feel bad. It was a great idea, and the fact that some launched into "clown mode" is no reflection on you (and certainly not Rachel), but more of an indication of head issues, that go much deeper than the scalp.

Kinky hair doesn't = relaxed mind

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Marjorie 2 October 2009 at 2:35 pm Permalink

I dig Rachel and her comments and suggestions. You're right; not everything will work for everybody, and sometimes poeple get a little sensitive about that.

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Miss Marche 2 October 2009 at 2:37 pm Permalink

Wow. Craziness.

To those who got upset, I ask this … why does someone ELSE need to say that a product is good for your hair if you've already figured that out?

I've longed used products that are never featured in these lists on the blogs (which are helpful in finding new things to try). If my personal favorite isn't on there… it's O. KAY. I'm still gonna use it.

Seriously, this is baffling. If it works for you, it works for you. If it doesn't, leave it alone. You don't need to be validated by a list on a blog.

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Breath of Light 2 October 2009 at 2:55 pm Permalink

I noticed that NONE of my products were on there. But just kept it moving. Didn't make me feel any kind of way. I just figured, those were the products she used and liked. If it had been me doing the product reviews it just would have been different. I guess I didn't know folks were defensive about products until you just posted it.

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Lovelei 2 October 2009 at 3:03 pm Permalink

Based on my day to day conversations about hair with black women I think the emotion comes from us constantly trying to figue out/defend our position on the good hair, bad hair scale.

I post some comments about my trasition on my facebook sometimes. Once I said that mixed chicks deep conditioner is really good (and it is) and one of my freinds said
"Yeah right, maybe on your hair!!!"
I get other people suggesting products and then suggesting that it may not work for me because my hair seems coarser. It's a mess!

Maybe some readers felt like the products may not have been tested on hair that is nappy enough because if they had then surely the products they had in mind would have been highlighted.

When I encourage people to just let thier own hair grow out, I often get attacked. They tell me that it won't work for them and my hair is "better" eventhough a good portion of my hair is still permed. i barely know what my hiar looks like so how can they say??
It's wierd!

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Lovelei 2 October 2009 at 3:03 pm Permalink

Based on my day to day conversations about hair with black women I think the emotion comes from us constantly trying to figue out/defend our position on the good hair, bad hair scale.

I post some comments about my trasition on my facebook sometimes. Once I said that mixed chicks deep conditioner is really good (and it is) and one of my freinds said
"Yeah right, maybe on your hair!!!"
I get other people suggesting products and then suggesting that it may not work for me because my hair seems coarser. It's a mess!

Maybe some readers felt like the products may not have been tested on hair that is nappy enough because if they had then surely the products they had in mind would have been highlighted.

When I encourage people to just let thier own hair grow out, I often get attacked. They tell me that it won't work for them and my hair is "better" eventhough a good portion of my hair is still permed. i barely know what my hiar looks like so how can they say??
It's wierd!

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Amina 2 October 2009 at 3:05 pm Permalink

OMG! I can't believe people were mad in regards to products. I loove products and I am always interested in knowing what others are using.

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NATURAL in the making 2 October 2009 at 3:36 pm Permalink

Woosa Woosa Ladies
I understand some of your points and I appreciated Racheal's Reviews very much…I have a daughter who is mixed and her hair texture is very much like racheals nothing seems to bother it…I liked alot of the products that recommended for her..but CANNOT use them on MY very coarse CURLY hair…Its this type of information that I find useful because it allows me to pick n choose some that arent that expensive and that work well in her hair with the trail and error experimentaion method!
Thanks ladies

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Anonymous 2 October 2009 at 4:13 pm Permalink

I have a really kinky texture and things that people would call 'white hair' products work well for me. Hello hydration is my fave conditioner.

I agree with everyone else, I think it is not good to be rude even if you disagree with the person.

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Anonymous 2 October 2009 at 4:13 pm Permalink

I have a really kinky texture and things that people would call 'white hair' products work well for me. Hello hydration is my fave conditioner.

I agree with everyone else, I think it is not good to be rude even if you disagree with the person.

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Anonymous 2 October 2009 at 4:27 pm Permalink

Personally I did not care for the list because I try to stay away from mineral oil, sulfates and such.It took me awhile to learn that my hair does not deal well with those ingredients. My hair would be dry, stiff and hard and ultimately I lost a lot of hair because of it.At the beginning of my journey I learned a lot about healthy products from BGLH. I thank you ladies for that!
However I did not take the list as some personal insult or feel obligated to attack. But for newbies looking for product information, they may be inclined to take the route of many product junkies by purchasing way too much in their quest to find products that work for their hair.
I find that the best thing is to keep it simple. Don't go overboard buying a bunch of products.

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Nicole 2 October 2009 at 5:19 pm Permalink

It could also partially be because the hair care industry has been shoving products made almost exclusively of what we typically now say is not good for our hair. So go to the opposite end of the spectrum. We voraciously reject those ingredients and don't consider what a product may or may not do for us; even if it contains a little bit of mineral oil/petrolatum, -cones, etc.

I use all sorts of products on the spectrum because they work insanely well, but also I'm on a B-U-D-G-E-T (yay VO5 on sale for 89 cents!!). Meaning salon hair products or even organic/natural products are not always an option for me.

I've learned to love -cones in moderation for the slip it provides, but I know my hair can't really tolerate mineral oil (and am fearful to experiment), so I stay away; it's about what works.

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Black girl with long hair 2 October 2009 at 5:21 pm Permalink

I've got to say, some really thoughtful reflections on products/product junkyism is coming out of this discussion. Keep the thoughts coming…

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msjaim 2 October 2009 at 6:37 pm Permalink

inferiority complexes & self defeatest attitudes are not hot.. I think it has more to do W/ the above V/S just being pissed somone didnt list your fav product_ how can someone personalize something like that? that lil post came from one persons perdpective, she was giving her reviews… if a person didnt like , just list what u prefer & call it one

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Chinye 2 October 2009 at 7:06 pm Permalink

I rarely every post but I feel as though this discussion is very important. I BC'd last year with an inch of hair and just celebrated my 1st year natural in August. From my BC until today I have never turned into a product junky so I get slightly confused when some people refer to the quest for finding the 'right' hair product into a mecca of sorts. Maybe I missed the memo or the recession is hitting me harder than everyone else, but frankly I could never see myself buying EVERY product on the market that claims to do xyz for natural hair or would promise to turn my hair into something that it just can't do because it just isn't practical. So when BGLH decided to do this series I was like "wooh ho!"

I think many of times naturals have the tendency to take one person's opinion as the next holy grail, which just isn't realistic (especially since each head of natural hair is distinctive and respective to that person). I've learned to tell how my hair retains moisture, the difference between soft and moisturized hair, and what it feels like when it is super dry. All through the experimenting, but not through looking at someone's hair on the internet and judging their products/routines and applying that to my situation.

I would like to applaud Rachel for her contributions to the blog, because some folks need a direction when it comes to being a newly natural. But please, don't take offense and assume her choices are the end all be all for products. If you've been using something that has worked and it hasn't made the list, keep using it! You'll only do damage to your own hair and spirit(not Rachael's) by getting offended if you didn't see your products on the list.

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NewbieNaturalDiva 2 October 2009 at 7:16 pm Permalink

Ladies, unfortunately it goes deeper than just hair. The underlying resentment and opposition that Rachel was presented with has more to do with a seeded envy of women who were born with a looser, curlier, texture than most. Within society, there has always been the idea that "good Hair" (wavy, curly, soft) is better. For this reason, some women feel those with this grade of hair are more privied than others. This is often true within certain environments. I am willing to bet that the women who got "very" upset probably have low self-esteem and do not consider themselves "beautiful". This is ridiculous, but it is true. Any chance they get to bring another down, they take it. I feel all women are beautiful and they should realize that. It is more important to uplift each other rather than pull each other down. It's just hair products. If she was able to list every product out there, she and this list would be crazy!

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Lina40 2 October 2009 at 10:44 pm Permalink

i thought Rachels post on her top condishes was a really cool blog series. i had tried only 2 of the 15 (Dove in the blue bottle – YAY, JASON Biotin — meehh). After her postings i actually got a little bolder, and did try a few other recommendations (Loreal colorvive among them)on the list and BY GOLLY they were excellent! Ok, now Im not crazy about the ingredients, but at least I know now if in a lurch, what I can reach for to care for my hair without pulling it all out from frustration. i think many of us are still in need of a basic routine and some are not ready to try anything else for fear of setbacks or damage. We may just be a little jaded from the hair wounds we experienced as a permie with relaxer burns or as a natural newbie or product junkie using products by recommendations or based on marketing, lol.. some of us dont want to even risk venturing out and trying any of these, even if they may prove really useful. I know I was surprised with the Loreal Vive and Dove conditioners..

it may be a matter of "safety" that naturals feel reassured when they see their fave on the list, but thats like seeing my favorite pair of earrings in someone else's jewelry box. No two tastes are necessarily alike.

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Lita 2 October 2009 at 11:45 pm Permalink

my comment was excluded (i think), so i thought i'd expand a bit:

the problem i had with the writing of a list (in theory) was that unlike with other things (clothes, perhaps even cosmetics) where you can see more easily whether something will work, hair products are not easily recommendable. i haven't found that its as simple as saying- if you have kinky hair, use cream x (and is, by the by, the same problem i have with hair typing). i also think it blurs slightly the tone of this website. if a newbie comes to it and sees a list like that, they may assume that these are guaranteed to, or have generally been be the best products for afro hair. discussing types of products and types of reactions to them, i think, may be more useful.

Rachel, her hair and her writing are great. i just got a little confused.

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mysskay 3 October 2009 at 12:52 am Permalink

She reviewed 15 products. That takes a lot of time, energy and money. Then she sat down wrote about it. Not even for her own benefit! I just assumed, someone would benefit from it even it that person wasn't me.

I applause you.
Thanks.

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Caramel 3 October 2009 at 3:08 am Permalink

What I'm hearing is that a lot of people felt left out by the list. It might be helpful if all three of you did similar lists. Like you said, you all have different hair textures and use different products. This way people with textures different from Rachel's might get the advice they are looking for.

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msjaim 3 October 2009 at 3:59 am Permalink

i see a few ppl r mentioning newbies…i dont think the list specified "hey this is a reference for the newly natural. u have to try these"…more like"hey this shit is relatively cheap and u can get it at a drug store try it if u like, i like these u may like them too". ppl have to be responsible for their own choices with things like this and in other areas in life. like most of us, learning what ur hair digs and tolerates is trial and error…some ppl find out what works for them early in the game and others find out a lil later i(and a few dollars later as well). i still think any back lash had to do with that dare i say it green eyed monster/inferiority complexes. its rediculous that something so trivial as someone elses product choices would get some ppls knickers in a bunch. i say to those who were offended , try some introspection and really identify why u got huffy……over someones conditioner choices…smh

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Lisa 3 October 2009 at 5:53 am Permalink

Well first I need to say I think Rachel is beautiful and so is her hair! I am all for encouraging all black women no matter if they relax, have kinky,curly, wavy hair-it does not matter. We come in different packages.

I did not get emotional from the post but I did feel a certain way about it. All over the internet there is an abundance of information concerning natural hair. The list is not something I am accustomed to seeing on this site. On this site there has been info about products for those of us on a budget. Many of us know about the suave and v05 conditioners. But it was on BGLH that I saw not only the drugstore conditioners like the ones mentioned above, but more info on natural things from the kitchen (like acv, baking soda, avocado, bananas etc.)

I think back to when I was a new natural looking for products for my hair. I loved reading about the cassia, and henna and to be honest it was just refreshing to see a site dedicated to helping us understand simple things that may work for our hair.

I was not motivated to read the list simply because of the commercialism of it all. So many companies are pushing toward curly/kinky hair. While it is so good to have options, we must keep in mind the mindset that exists with so many of us. We spend more money on beauty than any other population. Should we research before we jump on bandwagons? Sure we should but that does not always happen. Many of us have just gotten away from spending tons of money on weaves.

I know it was meant to be lighthearted and it is not that serious to some of us. But anyone who caught Oprah's Good Hair show knows that for the most part when it comes to hair products it is serious business in the black community.

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Ifeoma-Fobi 3 October 2009 at 2:11 pm Permalink

I really appreciate Rachel's time and effort on the list and I actually have a few friends with similar hair texture as hers, who could use some help with drugstore product reviews( of course I will forward them this blog post :-) )

However, I think the product review should have spelled out specifically who it was being geared towards instead of trying to accomodate all naturals because that would be impossible. And I agree with my fellow contributors that yes, the list would have confused say a newbie just a bit. But at the end of the day, some products, styles, techniques work for some, and some don't.

My type 3 curly sistas envy my wild twist-outs, my afro puffs,fro hawks and the shrinkage and I envy the wavy-slick back afro puffs, pig tails, and curl defined afro. It is just human nature to never be 100% satisfied with what you have but that doesn't mean I don't looove my hair? or vice versa?

From my own hair experience with many, many drugstore 'natural' products, I knew right from the start that none of the products on the list would work for my Type 4/coarser hair. Times when I had no choice but to use them, I had to beef them up with ingredients like coconut oil/milk,yougurt, banana, olive oil etc. But in the end it becomes too much work so I just go ahead and buy the all natural products like Aubrey Organics.

My own hair aside, Rachel's list to me was also about educating myself further on natural hair products. Just because it works better for textures other than mine doesn't mean I don't want to know about it. Who knows, maybe one day I will save the day and help a natural mother/aunt, sister, daughter out with such info.

On the real though, the list is better suited for Type 3 curlies like Rachel, and it should have stated that in the title (I don't see anything wrong with that either because it is what it is)

Ladies, why can't we all just get along? **Group hug** ;-)

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Melinda 3 October 2009 at 3:23 pm Permalink

Ok, here is why, my opionion of course,(disclaimer); The reason for all of the "uproar" is simply b/c Rachels hair is not THAT far from….shall we say the 2's and early, early baby 3's soooo it is no challange or surprise that most products work 4 her hair, I think that what WE(3b's &4's) r seeking is a review of products that work for the majority of US. Just my opionion. I really like 2 c more women represented that have hair like me. 4's. Thanks.

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Anita 3 October 2009 at 4:02 pm Permalink

This is really interesting!

As a black woman with super-kinky hair – on the 3b, 4a etc scale mine'd come out at 5z – I yearn to see and read about women who have similar super-kinky textured hair as mine. I do feel a slight sense of disappointment when I tune into a natural hair site or book or discussion and find ONLY women whose hair has a way way way looser texture than mine.

Let's face it – women with hair like mine have had it the WORST historically with people finding our texture of hair the ugliest of the ugliest. Ours has been deemed the BAD bad hair. I really love my hair texture now but it took me a long way to reach this point, in no small part because my type of hair is reviled by most people, especially blacks and also whites. So there is this deep desire I feel to SEE hair that is just like mine in all its glory.

As a certified 5z (lol) my natural hair is now past my bra strap in length. And as a child, I was told that my hair was so "bad" and so "tough" that my only option for long hair was to buy it in a bag….

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Anonymous 3 October 2009 at 5:54 pm Permalink

This is all getting to be too much. How does this look to someone new or transitioning?

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Anonymous 3 October 2009 at 8:32 pm Permalink

I would love to thank rachel for her contributions to the this blog. I think she went 100% out of her way to purchase and review all of these products. I was impressed by her dedication to help us naturals out with our hair. I did notice that most of the products that she previewed wouldn't help my hair, because many of them I have used and to my suprise they did nothing for my hair texture. I didn't get upset or offended by her list.The list just wasn't aimned at me, who cares! I just didn't think that her list was aimed towards women with kinker hair textures. 4's need to stick to more oils and butters. that is just the nature of our very dry hair. again, thank you Rachel for doing your thing.

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M.J. 3 October 2009 at 8:50 pm Permalink

I need to be studying, but I was struck by anita's comment. When I come to the natural hair sites, I come primarily to ogle at all the textured, Black hair. I don't stop to think about the different gradations, particularly within the 3c/4a, 4a and 4b realm. (If someone is a strict 3b or c, I'll definitely make note of that. But, once I see hair that can only belong to someone of African descent, I kind of lose sight). Another site has had a "casting call" for type 4 ladies because I guess not enough were posting their pics. This led me to wonder (and maybe this is a real "Duh!")if it's just tough to find our most tightly coiled sisters wearing natural hair. And as a result, those who do feel like an underrepresented minority within the natural community.

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LouLou82 3 October 2009 at 11:51 pm Permalink

I'm saddened that some ladies weren't able to communicate their thoughts in a respectful, civil manner.

Although it is difficult to properly respond without reading what was written, perhaps there was an uproar because people expected to see a list that better represented what many if not most Type 4 naturals seek out in hair products (low to no sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, -cones). They may have felt the list did not speak to them or benefit them in any way. Many of the products would get an automatic X. Also, the type of hair she tested the products on (above average growth, strong, indestructible, thick) is at the opposite spectrum of the fragile, delicate, hair many naturals have.

I liked how thorough the list was but I can definitely see if ladies were disappointed by it.

I second the motion of you, Shari, and J compiling a list of your Top 10 plus analysis illustrate the variety and quirks that exist in the natural community.

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NEA 3 October 2009 at 11:57 pm Permalink

Regardless of "why" people reacted the way they did, since their comments had to be deleted, they went too far. That's it. People need to learn to handle themselves a bit better.

Also, as one who is is closest to a "4a", with 3c strands mixed in, it's clear to me that most of us have more than one texture.

So, that adds more complexity to the mix: Just because I'm a "4a", and you're a "4a" doesn't mean the same products will work. I see it everyday, when I read product reviews. What's the variable that makes it "wonderful" to me, and "awful" to the other sister, with my "same" hair type?

Then, you got folks that have to bring up their issues with certain chemicals, "Your conditioner #2 contains parabens and cones!" Uh oh…run for cover!

There's no way in the world the list would have/could have satisfied the MAJORITY of folks. It was one person's list, and if you don't have hair like hers, then it's okay…find another list. But don't act nasty about it.

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The Notorious Z.A.G. 4 October 2009 at 2:06 am Permalink

I enjoyed Rachel's writing style… It was/is very cute and witty, yet I haven't tried, and probably won't ever try any products on the list. My hair texture is very similar to hers, and I've cut my product number down to about 4. Why get worked up about something as individual as that? Its hard to believe that this even happened. It's disappointing to hear that people got upset over her review. This blog is a place for sharing information and ideas, not cattiness. Its a REVIEW.. Do you get upset when a critic bashes your favorite artist or movie??! Stop trying to tear each other down, and give Leila props for a magnificent blog, and Rachel props for making a hair conditioner sound so fascinating and hilarious!!

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Anonymous 4 October 2009 at 4:49 am Permalink

@MJ

I noticed that tightly coiled hair doesn't have the "wow" effect like looser curls. here is what I have noticed.

1. The only time a tighly coiled hair recieves cheers is if their is very long or they have great hair color.

2. The looser texturizers seem to get the most responses when they post their pics.

3. sad to say many black people are still focused on curl pattern and how long someones hair is.

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Jc 4 October 2009 at 10:26 am Permalink

I find it interesting that many people are pretty much convinced that the products Rachel reviewed would not work for type 4 hair.

I think this is not true at all. Hair conditioner ingredients are much more important than the reviewer.

In my view Rachel's hair likes stearalkonium chloride (a good conditioning agent – anti static), silicones (moisture retention) and a little bit of oil (shine).

For those of us who swear by hello hydration, our hair likes fatty alcohols (which add softness) like cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. Another potent conditioning agent again for softness in hh is behentrimonium chloride.

Hair products are NOT designed for a hair type. Hair products are designed for how you want your hair to feel after using it.

I also think many of us don't end our hair care with conditioning, we will add some leave ins, glycerin, butters, oils afterwards. This is because we are seeking a different result.

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SistaOpinion 4 October 2009 at 2:20 pm Permalink

OT: Pretty please…can we remember that "coarse" refers to strand diameter and NOT hair texture? I have 4b/CNapp hair that is not coarse at all! The reason why my hair was so thin and flat with perms is because uneducated stylists assumed that nappy = coarse.

Okay…I guess I was able to take Rachel's review as the OPINION it was and not as dogma or rule. Even though I don't have her hair type, I have had some "white" products work for me so I'm open to (re) trying the JASONs in particular.

I think one of the hardest things for newbies to grasp is that this natural hair care thing is VERY individualized. There is NO one product or technique that works for all naturals regardless of texture, length, strand diameter, etc. Because the hair care industry (including stylists) does NOT recognize this, you are going to HAVE to experiment to find what works for you. Even someone whose hair is similar to yours…they're a START but they're not the ANSWER. Understanding this will make your journey a LOT easier.

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TheDailey 4 October 2009 at 8:47 pm Permalink

wellllll people get emotional about this..just as they do on the blog posts about people not approving their hair, or people not being ready for "natural" hair lol so it's the same bs… i never care lol. although NONE of my products made the list, i cant say that these products DONT work because for 1 main reason.. not everyone has the same hair, and my texture is certainly way different than hers. she did a good job, but it just didnt benefit me, and im fine with that :] people need to stop being so uptight on this site lol

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Breath of Light 5 October 2009 at 3:54 pm Permalink

Seriously all these hair typing numbers and letters are confusing me. Why do we still depends so much on them when really we need to find what works best for our HAIR, not hair type?

As one commenter said, hair products are not designed for hair types, so lets be careful about assuming something will or won't work because of it.

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The Star 7 October 2009 at 3:12 am Permalink

Can I also raise two hands as to this being what I've noticed as well?

" Anonymous said…
@MJ

I noticed that tightly coiled hair doesn't have the "wow" effect like looser curls. here is what I have noticed.

1. The only time a tighly coiled hair recieves cheers is if their is very long or they have great hair color.

2. The looser texturizers seem to get the most responses when they post their pics.

3. sad to say many black people are still focused on curl pattern and how long someones hair is.

October 4, 2009 12:49 AM"

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Anonymous 8 October 2009 at 11:28 pm Permalink

Firstly, I am so happy to have discovered this blog and check into it everyday. I agree with your response and handling of these negative comments and I understand the point you are making. However, it seems like you're using the term Hispanic to refer to hair that seen on the head of the Hispanic stereotype. There are many, many kinky and nappy headed Hispanics (more than most would think to notice) who can't use these same products. Using the term Hispanic in this context is not very accurate nor does it feel particularly inclusive. I'm really not trying to divert the issue, but this really stood out to me and i wanted to comment on it.

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Anonymous 10 October 2009 at 2:34 am Permalink

I wasn't a fan of rachel's posts, either, for most of the reasons other posters stated.

Not only is her hair texture not similar to mine, it isn't similar to ANYONE I know. And indestructible hair that grows abnormally fast and never tangles isn't going to handle products the same way as mine.

So why should I try them? That's not about hair texture, it's just fact. And while there's no need to get nasty about it, I kind of resent BGLH's glossing over the very real issue people had with the blogging glorifying a list the majority or us won't benefit from.

As well as the matter of her dumping the shit on her hair this blog normally warns against… Cheap drugstore shit, okay, but shit nonetheless. That her hair, which 99.9% of us don't have, can handle. How is that helpful? I think that was a legitimate reason to get a lot of readers backs up.

I also took an issue with her description of conditioners that made her curls 'melt…' Um, if you're hair is already tangle-free, isn't that an oxymoron?

The suggestion that the BGLH trifecta do a trio of lists is a good one, IMO. Maybe a little something for everyone?

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Coffey0072 12 October 2009 at 12:35 am Permalink

I missed the uproar. In a nutshell… while I take natural hair advice and tutorials into consideration and may use some of the ideas as point of reference (with a little or a lot of tweaking here and there), I don't really subscribe to online natural hair advice as being THE Gospel on natural hair care.

Everyone's texture, length, experiences, outcomes are different and we all need to use whatever technique and products, that work best for us, regardless of advice that advocates or warns against whatever that method is.

Rachel's contributions are cool and her methods work for her. And she seems to've discovered what her methods are through trial and error.

I think we all should just experiment… maybe tweak some of her ideas to best suit YOU. I know for me… since I have my hands in my own hair… I know what works best and what doesn't, regardless of whatever the "natural hair do's and don't's" are. Just a suggestion :-)

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madamejay 13 December 2009 at 7:44 pm Permalink

Well isn’t it obvious why Rachel received so much negative feedback? Its simply because she is not working with the same hair texture that MOST of us who visit the site have. Simple!

We come here to get advice, tips, etc for what is *typical* afro-textured, not loosely curled, mixed textured hair. And yes its irritating and annoying but I just chose to skip past her posts because they’re clearly not aimed at me.

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