Nae Nae’s Naturals is a Black, family-owned business run by husband-and-wife team Terrence and Nevadra “Nae Nae” Johnson. Nevadra developed the company’s signature formula after spending two years seeking a natural answer to her children’s eczema and dry, itchy scalps; an unexpected effect on their hair led the family to share it with friends and build a brand for women with kinky-curly coils.
Haiama BeautyBlack-woman-owned Haiama Beauty grew from Allison Shimamoto’s experience rebuilding her curls after a damaging big chop. Based in Philadelphia, the company creates handcrafted, organic haircare for textured-hair families, with formulas developed specifically for wavy through coily textures rather than adapted from straight-hair products. Haiama also teaches small, hands-on curlcare workshops that help families build routines suited to their own hair.PHILADELPHIA, PA
Coarse CultureBorn from founder VaLanDria Smith-Lash’s effort to ease her mother’s lupus-related skin irritation, Coarse Culture makes all-natural whipped shea butter for skin and hair. The Black-owned business is headquartered in Oxford, Ohio, where its products are made through Miami University’s College@Elm Innovation Center and students gain hands-on experience through the Culture Cohort. Smith-Lash began developing the product at age 14 and later launched Coarse Culture publicly while attending college.OXFORD, OH
ChallureFounded by Charleny Escalante, the daughter of a Dominican-immigrant hairstylist, Challure makes natural curl-care products for curly and coily hair. Its formulas grew from Escalante’s own search for an easier way to care for her 3C curls and coils, including the hibiscus-and-chamomile leave-in conditioner that became the brand’s signature starting point. Challure’s silicone-, sulfate- and paraben-free line is built around embracing natural hair, cultural roots and everyday curl confidence.
OoumeOoume is a Black-owned, mom-founded Ohio brand created by Briana Davis after she developed a hair-care routine for her son Amir’s curls. It makes gentle, nature-based care for babies and families with curls or coils, including shampoo and conditioner designed for sensitive scalps.