To start off my series on Black-Owned Hair Brands I want to talk about Melanin Haircare. The Purpose of this Black Owned Hair Brand Series is to highlight black-owned brands in the hair and beauty space for consumers who would like to support the black community. You can checkout my article on WAYS TO SUPPORT THE BLACK COMMUNITY or my article on LIST OF BLACK OWNED HAIR BRANDS.
If you are a naturalista like me, you know how hard it can be to find the right products for your curls. You want something that is gentle, moisturizing, and effective, but also affordable and accessible. And if you are a conscious consumer, you also want to support brands that are ethical, sustainable, and representative of your community. That’s why I was so excited when Melanin Haircare launched products in 2019. This is a black-owned hair brand that offers natural and non-toxic products for curly and textured hair.
In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about Melanin Haircare, from their products, to their benefits, to their reviews, and to their tips. You can also see my reviews and results in the videos below. Trust me, you will want to add this brand to your hair care routine ASAP!
Table of Contents
About Melanin Haircare
Melanin Haircare is a company that specializes in natural and non-toxic hair products for curly and textured hair. It was founded in 2015 by two sisters, Whitney White and Taffeta White. Whitney is an OG naturalista known as Naptural85 on YouTube.1 They are still the current owners and co-CEOs of the company, and they are passionate about healthy natural hair and scalp care, as well as supporting the black community. Melanin Haircare has grown rapidly since its launch, and it is now available in all Ulta Beauty stores, Target and online, as well as on Amazon and other online retailers.
The Products
Melanin Haircare has a range of products that cater to different hair needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a shampoo, a conditioner, a cream, an oil, or a combination of them, Melanin Haircare has you covered. You can check out my recent review and tutorial on their products below. Here are some of their products and what they can do for your hair:
- African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo: This shampoo is made with natural African black soap, which is known for its cleansing and healing properties. It gently removes dirt, oil, and product buildup from your scalp and hair, while also soothing any irritation or inflammation. It contains pro-vitamin B5, which helps hydrate and strengthen hair strands. It also contains black cumin oil, tea tree leaf and rosemary leaf, which helps nourish hair. This shampoo is great for all hair types, especially those with dry, itchy, or flaky scalp. It won the 2023 By Women Glamorous Best Product Award.2
- Plumping Deep Conditioner: This conditioner is a rich and reparative hair mask that helps restore hair’s elasticity while strengthening, silkening, and detangling your hair. It contains hyaluronic acid, which helps your hair retain moisture and reduce frizz, biotin, which promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss, and fenugreek, which smooths and improves your hair’s elasticity. It also has banana flower, pumpkin seed, hemp seed, lemongrass, and other natural ingredients that condition, thicken, and smooth your hair. It is important to note that this product also contains hydrolyzed pea protein. This conditioner is suitable for all hair types, especially those with dry, brittle, coarse, or damaged hair. It won the 2023 Essence Best in Black Beauty Award.3 You can use it as a weekly or bi-weekly treatment, leaving it in your hair for up to 30 minutes, then rinsing it out and styling as usual.4
- Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner: This conditioner is a versatile product that can be used as a rinse-out, a leave-in, or a co-wash. It is infused with baobab oil, argan oil, and sweet jojoba oil, which moisturize, soften, and strengthen your hair. It also has biotin, which promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. This conditioner also contains hydrolyzed wheat proteins, which enhances elasticity and reduces breakage. This conditioner is ideal for detangling, smoothing, and defining your curls, as well as protecting them from heat and environmental damage.5
- Twist-Elongating Style Cream: This cream is a styling product that helps you achieve smooth, defined, and elongated twists, braids, or coils. It is enriched with shea butter, cocoa butter, hokum butter, and mango butter, which seal in moisture and add shine to your hair. This cream is perfect for creating long-lasting and frizz-free styles, without any flaking, crunching, or residue. It also won the 2022 ELLE Editor’s Choice Award for best curl cream and the 2023 Naturally Curly Best of The Best Award for Beast Styling Cream.6
- Pure Oil Blend: This oil blend is a multipurpose product that can be used for your hair, scalp, skin, and body. It is a mix of 10 natural oils, such as avocado oil, organ oil, jojoba oil, baobab oil, and sage oil, which provide various benefits for your hair and scalp. It can be used to seal in moisture, enhance shine, stimulate growth, prevent dandruff, and soothe itchiness. It can also be used to massage, moisturize, and heal your skin and body. It also won the 2022 Women’s Health Healthy Hair Award for Best Oil.
These are just some of the products that Melanin Haircare offers. They also have other products, such as the head scarfs, t-shirt hair towels, and the caps, which are great accessories for styling and protecting hair. All of their haircare products are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and silicone-free, and they have no sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, or artificial colors or fragrances. They are also affordable and accessible, as they range from $12 to $41.
The plumping deep conditioner and multi-use softening leave-in conditioner both contain hydrolyzed proteins. Hydrolyzed proteins are great for strengthening hair; however, there are two precautions that you need to consider when using hydrolyzed protein in your daily haircare products:
- Protein Sensitivity: Some people have hair that can be more sensitive to the strengthening effects of protein, and instead of smooth strong hair after use, their hair could become more dry and brittle.
- Protein Overload: This occurs when you frequently use products in your haircare routine that contain protein. The effects on your hair is the same as someone with high sensitive hair, dry brittle, limp and even stiff hair.
The Benefits
Now that you know what products Melanin Haircare has, you might be wondering what benefits they can bring to your hair. Well, let me tell you, they are amazing! I used their twist elongating styling cream extensively back in 2019, and it kept my hair very moisturized. You can find my original reviews of the twist elongating cream below. Here are some of the benefits that I have experienced and that you can expect from using Melanin Haircare products:
- Moisture: One of the biggest challenges for natural hair is keeping it moisturized, especially in dry or cold weather. Melanin Haircare products are formulated with natural ingredients that hydrate and lock in moisture to your hair, making it soft, supple, and manageable. My hair used to be dry and brittle (particularly my ends), but after using Melanin Haircare products, it felt much more moisturized and healthy.
- Softness: Another challenge for natural hair is keeping it soft and smooth, especially when dealing with tangles, knots, or frizz. Melanin Haircare products are designed to soften and smooth your hair, making it easier to detangle, style, and touch. Melanin Haircare products had really good slip and made my hair easy to detangle and it feel more soft and silky.
- Shine: A sign of healthy hair is having a natural shine and luster, which can be hard to achieve with natural hair, especially when using harsh or drying products. Melanin Haircare products are made with natural oils and butters that add shine and glow to your hair, making it look more vibrant and beautiful. Melanin Haircare products made my hair look much more shiny and healthy.
- Definition: A goal for many naturalistas is having defined and bouncy curls, which can be hard to achieve with natural hair, especially when using heavy or sticky products. Melanin Haircare products are crafted to define and enhance your curls, making them more defined and bouncy. I got some real good definition with the Melanin Haircare elongating styling cream.
- Growth: A dream for many naturalistas is having long and healthy hair, which can be hard to achieve with natural hair, especially when dealing with breakage, shedding, or slow growth. Melanin Haircare products are infused with natural ingredients that stimulate and support hair growth, making your hair grow faster and stronger. Now, I am unable to attribute my use of Melanin Haircare products to my healthy hair growth, but their ingredients definitely help promote a healthy hair and scalp.
These are just some of the benefits that Melanin Haircare products can offer to your hair. Of course, results may vary depending on your hair type, texture, porosity, density, and length, as well as your hair care regimen, diet, and lifestyle. But I can assure you that Melanin Haircare products are worth trying and incorporating into your haircare routine, as they have worked worked really well for lots of natural hair girlies.
- If you plan on doing a wash and go with their elongating styling cream, I would recommend testing out the compatibility of the cream and gel combo on a small strand of hair and let it dry first, before fully committing. I have experienced flaking with my wash and gos in the past, and although it has been minimal, thought you should be aware of that when you try it for yourself. If you want to find some compatible wash and go combinations CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE and if you want to learn some techniques on how to stretch your wash N go CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE.
- I used the twist elongating styling cream mainly for braid out and twist outs, and it did an EXCELLENT job!
Braid-Out Results With The Elongating Styling Cream
The Reviews
Don’t just take my word for it, though. Melanin Haircare products have received rave reviews from customers who have tried and loved them. Here are some of the reviews that I found online:
- “Overall, the Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner has met all my hair expectations. I highly recommend this product in your hair care arsenal, if it is not already. Rest assured that your hair will be feeling hydrated, soft and pliable. As well as, increased elasticity and improve the hair manageability.” -Abigail Osei from 4C Nappy Hair
- “I used the melanin twisting elongating cream to get this look. It was gifted to me to try out and It came out so cute. I took nine hours but was definitely worth it. My hair is moisturized and soft. I love it. I’ve done this slow before with other products but this looks so natural. If you are a natural hair girl give this product a try with some mini twist!” – 4/5 Stars, Tamisha M. from Influenster
- “Melanin haircare has your wash day sorted! I love the multipurpose oil as a prepoo to help detangle my hair and massage my scalp, the shampoo smells great and leaves my hair feeling clean without leaving it feeling dry, and the leave in conditioner is SOOO moisturizing.” – 5/5 Stars, Stephanie A. from ThingTesting
As you can see, Melanin Haircare products have received positive feedback from customers who have enjoyed their quality and effectiveness. Of course, not everyone may have the same experience, and some people may have different preferences or expectations. But I think that Melanin Haircare products are worth a try, as they have a lot of potential and promise.
The Tips
If you are interested in trying out Melanin Haircare products, or if you already have them and want to get the most out of them, here are some tips that I have learned and that might help you:
- Read the labels: Melanin Haircare products have clear and detailed labels that tell you what the product is, what it does, what it contains, and how to use it. Make sure to read the labels carefully and follow the instructions accordingly, as they will help you get the best results from the product. You can also check out their website for label ingredients.
- Experiment: Melanin Haircare products are versatile and flexible, and you can use them in different ways depending on your hair needs and preferences. For example, you can use the Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner as a rinse-out, a leave-in, or a co-wash, depending on your need at the time. You can also mix and match different products to create your own custom blends, such as mixing the Twist-Elongating Style Cream with the Pure Oil Blend to add more shine and slip to your twists. You can also mix their products with other products. For example, you can use the Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner with Wetline Xtreme gel for a defined wash and go combo. Feel free to experiment and find what works best for you and your hair.
- Be patient: Melanin Haircare products are natural and they may take some time to show their full effects on your hair. Don’t expect to see immediate or dramatic changes after using them once or twice. Be patient and consistent with your hair care regimen, and you will see positive results over time. The same applies to any product line or combinations of products that you use. Remember, natural hair is a journey, not a destination, and Melanin Haircare products can be a good addition to help you along the way.
- Have fun: All the products in the Melanin Haircare line create a complete natural hair regimen. You can use them to create many hairstyles such as, twists, twist outs, braids, braid outs, flat twists, wash and gos, cornrows, and even in your protective hairstyles, such as, box braids and faux locs. I think they are especially great for protective hairstyles, because of how well they keep natural hair moisturized. I have even used it in a silk press. It’s up to you to experiment with their products and see what works and doesn’t work for your styling needs.
Conclusion
Melanin Haircare is a black-owned hair brand that offers natural and non-toxic products for curly and textured hair. Their products are affordable, accessible, and effective, and they have many benefits for your hair, such as moisture, softness, shine, definition, and growth. They also have positive reviews from customers who have tried and loved them. If you are looking for hair products that are gentle, moisturizing, and affordable, you might want to check out Melanin Haircare.
You can visit their website or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube for more information and inspiration. You can also keep track of any business information and/or customer complaints on the Better Business Bureau Website.
I hope you enjoyed this article. Thank you for reading and please feel free to comment or ask questions below. I would love to hear from you and see your results. Happy Hair Styling!
References
- who we are. (n.d.). Melanin Haircare. https://melaninhaircare.com/pages/about-us
↩︎ - African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo. (n.d.). Melanin Haircare. Retrieved March 02, 2024, from https://melaninhaircare.com/collections/hair-products/products/reviving-african-black-soap-shampoo
↩︎ - Plumping Deep Conditioner. (n.d.). Melanin Haircare. Retrieved March 02, 2024, from https://melaninhaircare.com/products/plumping-deep-conditioner
↩︎ - https://customercare.melaninhaircare.com/en-US/articles/how-to-use-92374 ↩︎
- Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner. (n.d.). Melanin Haircare. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://melaninhaircare.com/collections/hair-products/products/multi-use-softening-leave-in-conditioner
↩︎ - Twist-Elongating Style Cream. (n.d.). Melanin Haircare. Retrieved March 16, 2024, from https://melaninhaircare.com/collections/hair-products/products/twist-elongating-style-cream
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Melanin Haircare Video Tutorial & Review
Love this, and thanks for the tag! x