Madam C. J. Walker - An Inspiring Story About Natural Products for Afro Hair
Historisches Schwarz-Weiß-Porträt von Madam C. J. Walker in eleganter Kleidung
For years, many people with afro, coily and curly hair weren't represented in the cosmetics industry in Germany, because there was a huge lack of hair and even body care products. Many people, including me (Nana), had to either buy overpriced products or, even worse, travel abroad to stock up.
These products then had to be "stretched" until the next trip, which for many, including me, meant our hair surprisingly stopped growing.
This month, Black History Month, which honours Black icons and achievements, we'd like to introduce you to Madam Walker's life and show you our passion and philosophy behind Afrolocke.
In the 1890s, Madam C. J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, began to lose her hair, largely because of the harsh lye she was constantly exposed to as a washerwoman. Other African American women faced the same dilemma and hid their bald patches with scarves, which eventually inspired Sarah to develop her own hair care line. Her products contained coconut oil, beeswax and other wholesome ingredients, and according to her story, her own hair grew back.
Afrolocke is now four years old, vegan, certified and has been available in Germany and neighbouring countries since 2017. With a product range that keeps growing every year, Afrolocke wants, among other things, to get rid of the myth that "natural hair is difficult". Every ingredient in our products is carefully chosen and our packaging is eco friendly too. Our products aren't just for natural hair, but for all curl types and dry, thick hair.
Madam Walker was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, politician and social activist. She was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as America's first female self made millionaire.
Her original brand still exists. In 2013 Sundial Brands, which owns popular hair care brands like Shea Moisture, bought the company. Madam Walker Beauty Culture sold products such as shampoos, conditioners and hair masks.
In the 1890s Walker began to lose her hair. Her own hair loss and the wish to meet the needs of other African American women inspired her to create a hair care line.
In our version, our founder Anna was so frustrated by the lack of diversity and access to hair products that nourish her hair instead of drying it out that she started making them herself at her kitchen table, which led to her own hair care line, Afrolocke.
We learned about Madam Walker through the film "Self Made" on Netflix. How crazy that a story told and lived in 1890 is or was still a similar reality for us in Germany in 2016.
Many of the products Black women used at the time were made from beef marrow, which damaged the hair and the scalp.
Some women wore head coverings to hide their bald patches, but Walker didn't want to go that way.
Her creation was called "Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower".
Her use of hot combs in combination with her "hair grower" is viewed critically. Although she popularised hot combs, which straightened hair, it wasn't Walker's goal to change the look of Black women's hair.
"Let me correct the erroneous impression held by some that I claim to straighten the hair", Walker once said. "I deplore such an impression because I have always held myself out as a hair culturist. I grow hair".
Afrolocke is made by us and for us, something that took Anna years and a lot of courage to found. Afrolocke is more than a hair care brand. For many, Afrolocke means healthy hair and easy access to care products. Afrolocke stands for a movement that is creating change in the German beauty industry.
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