GABRIELLE UNION LAUNCHES NEW HAIR LINE..BUT THE CRITICS ARE TALKING

While I am sure Gabrielle Union’s new Flawless haircare line has been a huge success since its launch last week, it has not come without a bit of controversy for its creator. Since unveiling the collection via Instagram, Gabrielle has been inundated with complaints from people who think she’s simply trying to make a quick buck from the booming natural hair movement- while not actually wearing her natural hair. 

Gabby has also been taken to task for her vague use of the phrase “textured hair,” as well as the models she chose to use in the company’s advertisements.

The “textured hair” models Gabrielle chose to use to promote Flawless were also noted by critics, who accused Gabrielle of trying to get black women’s money while not actually using black models or women who have kinky hair. Gabrielle hasn’t offered a retort to that accusation, but we all know the #1 rule for selling hair products to black women with kinky/coily/nappy hair is never use models that actually have that hair type unless you are peddling relaxers or texturizers.

The black haircare market is a billion-dollar business. However, relaxer sales are down and natural hair products are where the money’s at. Gabrielle is aware of this and looking to cash in on it like any good businesswoman would. Gabrielle wants to sell her products to as many women as possible and will use the terminology and imagery to do so, hence the liberal phrase “textured hair” and the wavy and curly-haired models used in the advertisements.

Is Gabrielle wrong for trying to get her slice of the natural hair pie? No, I don’t think so, especially if the products are of good quality. Honestly,  why not give your money to  Gabrielle It's no different then some of these white-owned companies who also jumped on the natural movement once they realized there was a buck to be made.