New launch suggests natural hair movement gaining momentum in the UK

A company specialising in hair care products for natural hair for women of colour has announced its latest launch in the UK, suggesting the movement is gaining momentum.

Ms Hair, a family-run business based in London, has created a product that responds to a consumer demand for products that helps natural hair recover from any use of chemicals.

The Hair Foundation Kit product aims to support the hair care routines of those women of colour looking to wear their hair in a natural style, says the brand.

“The rise of the natural hair movement has seen more and more women opting for kinky and afro hair rather than weaves or wigs.

“However, despite the phenomenon, many women of colour are sometimes hesitate to wear their hair out naturally due to the prolonged use of chemicals, and damaging hairstyles that often causes thinning and balding.” Ms Hair says its new product improves the appearance of any hair loss-related issue.

Hair growth solutions

Evelyn Nakigudde, co-founder of Ms Hair explains the demand that the Ms Hair brand is responding to.

“We started Ms Hair after noticing an increase in hair loss and traction alopecia amongst our family and friends.

After many years of excessive hair styling and poor hair maintenance, many of our loved ones suffered from hair loss, thinning hairlines, and poor hair growth.

“We couldn’t find any affordable solutions on the high street that provided an immediate improvement to thinning curly and afro-textured hair.

“So, we decided to take matters into our own hands and develop our own products.”

A rising market

Research by Mintel shows that sales of styling products marketed for black hair increased by 25% in the US, Nakigudde explains. This is a rise that the firm attributes in part to the natural hair movement.

“Natural hairstyles are becoming a firm staple in communities of colour and women are constantly being educated on how to style their hair, keep it healthy and choosing it over weaves and extensions,” the Ms Hair brand says.

“However most consumers still go through an internal struggle, of either conforming to the dominant societal notions, which dictate that straight hair is acceptable, or resist and fear exposing strained hairlines.

“The Hair Foundation by Ms Hair hopes to bridge a gap by giving women the opportunity to choose to wear their hair out naturally without worrying about exposing thinning or balding, which further encourages them to transition to natural hair.”