How marketing influences the products that we use.

I don't want nothin' made for white people hair....!!

Deep sigh......yes I recently heard this. No, I was told this directly. Someone I've known for a very long time came to me seeking help with their hair. They told me what they wanted to achieve, and what their current techniques were yielding. They asked for product recommendations, or suggestions and followed with, "I don't want nothing made for white people's hair". I was a bit surprised to hear this, but it presented an awesome opportunity to educate and give useful information.
I interjected with, "no such thing". I proceeded by informing her that, "when you see a commercial on television, and the people in that commercial, that represents a target audience. They want to give the impression that use of their product will yield the results your seeing on television. The next time you purchase a product marketed towards a black audience. Look at the ingredients on the label, and compare those ingredients with the labels of products marketed toward white consumers. You'll most likely see that they have the same key ingredients. Not one ingredient says cetrimonium chloride for black hair, or cetrimonium chloride for white hair. It simply says cetrimonium chloride, as do the remaining ingredients. Making them usable for either hair type.

Where do products differ?

Products differ in a few ways. They mostly pertain to thickness/consistency, additives such as botanicals, herbs, humectants, etc., and ingredients that improve functionality such as detangling, clarifying, adding body/volume, smoothing the hair shaft, and moisturizing agents.

What's needed by hair!

Most afro textured hair needs two things constantly, and moisture is one of them. Moisture is key to maintaining healthy hair and preventing breakage. A good conditioner regardless of marketing, yields good moisturizing benefits. My favorite moisturizing conditioners are not marketed to afro textured customers but is widely used in the natural community.

Natural hair also needs protein balance. Once again my favorite conditioner for protein is not marketed to afro textured customers. This applies to the majority of my products.

I've found that the products marketed towards afro textured hair don't yield much different results for me. I do own and use some afro specific products and they work great. But it is not always necessary to use afro products. I can truly say I would have missed out on some valuable staple products that have really helped keep my hair healthy, had I not tried certain products "white people products".  I use products marketed towards hispanic consumers (Crece Pelo, Baba de Caracol), Herbal Essences, Pantene, Tresemme, Aussie Moist, Loreal, Organix, You won't know what will and won't work unless you try it.