By Linda Ripoll
I attended my first Natural Hair Show this weekend in Atlanta. The Natural Hair Show is a huge beauty and hair show that highlights the best in natural hair and beauty products with hundreds of brands representing their products and services to record crowds of consumers, professionals, students and media. Some of the brands I was interested in checking out at the show were Miss Jessie’s, Mango & Lime, Jane Carter Solutions, Uncle Funky’s Daughter, Urbanbella and For Mixed Hair.
Being that I am a curly girl with type 3B curls which have loosened quite a bit over the years, I am always on the lookout for the latest in curly products and services. I love that there are several extraordinary brands available on the market for curly girls of all types!
The instant I walked into the conference hall, it was packed with people from all walks of life. From curly girls and guys to those with locs, braids, twists, coils, weaves and relaxers, every hair type and style was represented at the event which was exciting to see. The energy in the hall was electric as booth after booth showcased their top products and gave demonstrations on how to achieve the latest looks and styles.
As I navigated through the crowds, I did get a chance to check out some of the natural beauty product booths that lined the conference hall. Some of the product lines that really got my attention were Buhdze, a natural bath and body line made organically and by hand with fragrant essential oils and shea butters. I also was impressed with Break the Spell’s booth which consisted of natural body oils and natural oils for home and car fragrance.
Even though the Natural Hair Show is mostly about how to achieve natural hair in a healthy manner, there were quite a few weave, wig and extension booths present at the show. Several of these booths held major demonstrations where hair models sat patiently as the stylist worked the latest extensions and weaves into the models hair in front of hundreds of onlookers.
Besides hair and beauty products, there were some fashion and jewelry booths set up which were a nice diversion for those attendees who wanted to dabble in some shopping. There were also quite a few holistic booths set up which were highlighting their tonics, vitamins, minerals and other herbal products.
It was quite apparent to me that the big draws of the show were Miss Jessie’s, Uncle Funky’s Daughter and Urbanbella. I believe that many women today are learning to embrace their curls and these brands have successfully tapped into the curl revolution by offering high quality products, great packaging and wonderful marketing that celebrates gorgeous curly hair!
All in all, I had a great time at my first Natural Hair Show and will definitely be back next year to check out the latest in curly products for 2011.
Visit Linda’s beauty blog entitled Counter Culture Beauty
