HERStory: A History of Women & Haircare

With the money that the average woman spends on hair and beauty in her lifetime, you would expect women to rule the beauty and hair industry, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Most of the popular hair care brands that we use today were started and owned by men.

Over the last 10 years, conversation advocating for women’s empowerment has pushed even more women to open their own businesses, doubling the amount of female-owned businesses! In this blog, we’ll explore some of the biggest impacts women have made on the beauty industry.

Madame C.J. Walker

Born as “Sarah Breedlove” to parents who had once been enslaved, Madame C.J. Walker achieved the status of a self-made millionaire thanks to her immensely popular haircare line and her meticulous attention to detail.

Fueled by a passion for healthy hair growth, Walker developed a unique hair care system featuring shampoo, hair grower, oil, hot combs, and other products for soft, conditioned hair. And they have truly stood the test of time.

At its peak, The Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company employed about 20,000 women as sales representatives, offering training and support for women to start their own businesses and achieve financial independence. Madame C.J Walker’s courage and unwavering passion created a lasting impact on the hair industry, empowering women of color with strength and confidence that extended well beyond her lifetime.

In 2022 her great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles launched “Madam” a haircare line fully inspired by her grandmother. Drawing from her grandmother’s goals, “Madam” addresses the needs of textured hair, working to repair and strengthen it with a “damage-defying Scalp to Strand System.”

Paula Kent Meehan

Paula Meehan, a key figure in modern haircare, partnered with chemist Jheri Redding in 1960 to create Redken. They pioneered the “Scientific Approach to Beauty,” focusing on products that respect the natural pH of hair and skin.

Meehan’s contributions extended beyond product development. She established programs that trained hairdressers to effectively market Redken products within salons—an unprecedented move at the time. Her vision not only propelled Redken into a global leader but also inspired countless professionals within the industry.

Lisa Price

Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter, began creating homemade beauty products in her kitchen before turning her passion into a multimillion-dollar empire. Her brand prioritizes natural ingredients and celebrates the beauty of all hair textures, inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs in the beauty industry.

In 2014, Lisa sold Carol’s Daughter to L’Oréal, enabling the brand to grow while upholding its core values and quality. Lisa remained actively involved in the brand’s development, influencing its direction. Her entrepreneurial journey serves as an inspiration, showcasing the impact of passion and perseverance in building a successful business. Her products heavily inspired the Curl expression line from L’Oreal.

Anna Ayers

Driven by a commitment to conservation, environmentalism, and human rights, Anna and her husband founded Rahua after a trip to the Amazon Rainforest. She and her husband Fabian aimed to protect the rainforest while empowering and improving communities through beauty.

The products offered by Rahua are crafted using ingredients sourced and processed by both women and men, adhering to traditional methods that have been handed down through generations.

Riawna Capri & Nikki Lee

In Common Beauty was founded in 2018, when Riawna Capri and Nikki Lee first crossed paths at the upscale Hollywood destination. In 2009, they opened the renowned hair salon, Nine Zero One. A few years later, they leveraged their expertise to develop a luxurious hair care and treatment line designed to provide “effective results that are undeniably shareable.”

With the introduction of the Magic Myst, Riawna & Nikki have struck gold. This patented technology blends the benefits of hydrating, smoothing and repairing the hair in one easy-to-use product.

Shop and Support Female-Owned Businesses

March is Women’s History Month, and we’re reminding you to shop small and to shop female-owned businesses. Supporting female-owned businesses helps empower entrepreneurs, while strengthening communities by fostering diversity and innovation.

Next time you’re looking for a gift or need to restock everyday essentials, make a difference by supporting and shopping female-owned. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change, extending far beyond a single purchase. Happy shopping!