by
Christina Patrice
9. My Honey Child
Backstory: The My Honey Child line was founded by salon owner with a brave streak, Krika Bradsher. Krika herself has always been natural, but had regularly styled relaxed clients. Over time, she grew fed up with clients who would come in suffering from relaxer abuse – meaning they frequently cut corners by using store bought relaxers, and ended up overprocessing their hair and expected Krika to save their tresses. Increasingly, she found there were heads of hair she could not “save”, and would tell the clients to transition to natural styling. Naturally, some agreed and some walked away upset. Eventually, Krika transitioned her Sophia Sunflower Salon to an exclusive natural hair salon. This was 16 years ago, and she hasn’t looked back since. Her displeasure with the market of available “Black” hair products led her to create the My Honey Child line.
Benefits: The My Honey Child line has the benefit of being developed by a long-time hair stylist and salon owner. Extensive research and experience drives the creation of all products in the line. My Honey Child products are free of silicones, mineral oil, petroleum, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, phthalates, and parabens. The My Honey Child line is great for all textures of hair, especially those craving moisture. It is especially great for transitioners – many of the products are designed with successfully growing out relaxers and damaged hair in mind.
Best Sellers: The best My Honey Child sellers are the Type 4 Hair Crème, Olive You Deep Conditioner, and Coconut Hair Milk. I am an absolute nut for deep conditioners, so my personal favorites are the Molasses Hydrating Deep Conditioner ($18) and Coconut Papaya Hair Paste ($15). As a transitioner, products that cater to my new and damaged hair are automatically high up on my list. I love the moisture, shine, softness, and just everything about both deep conditioners. Stay tuned for in-depth reviews on both!
Where to Buy: In addition to www.myhoneychild.com, the My Honey Child line of products is available at the flagship store of the same name in Raleigh, North Carolina. There are also a number of brick and mortar and online stores carrying the My Honey Child products in several states and internationally. Check to see if there is a store near you here!
All in all, I’m having a blast discovering and showcasing these amazing small business brands. Is one of your favorites not featured? Shoot me an e-mail at info@maneobjective.com or let me know on Instagram @maneobjective. I’m really serious about this mission to promote supporting Black owned natural hair businesses, with products that keep our hair and health at the center. Sure, the products may cost a little more, but I can without a doubt say that every penny is worth it. My hair has never performed better, shed so much less, been stronger, and retained moisture so well – all of which are major feats for transitioners and naturals. The icing on the cake is truly the ingredient integrity of these brands. None of the brands featured cut corners for the sake of a profit. What more could you ask for?
For more from Christina check out her blog, The Mane Objective. You can also find her on Instagram and Facebook.
64 Responses
Thank you for caring!
Very good website. Thank you so much.
Excellent article
Thank you for this article. And as a customer who has indulged in many of these companies, I can attest they have wonderful products. My absolute fave is Natty Naturals by All Things O’Natural!! They have amazing products that work, surprisingly, for all hair types. They have the best packaging and their customer service is the BEST. I can definitely see why so many sing their praises. And not only that, they have the most beautiful family who focus on an overall healthy lifestyle. My faves from their line are the cupuacu & rhassoul deep conditioner, the natty moist and the natty butter.
This line was created to help black women create their own natural hair care line and it’s called PLM Cosmetics (private-label-minerals.us) I found them researching ways to create my own hair care line and they have a lot of info on how to start your own natural hair product line and are apparently a manufacturer for some of the lines that got in target. Love their products and will absolutely be using them to create my line. HIGHLY recommend the Private Label Minerals company. plmcosmetics.com or private-label-minerals.us.
Also, Rockin’ Naturals is a black owned natural hair product line that I have had a lot sucess with for my 4b hair. rockinnatural.com
I looked at Kurlee Belle and her products does contain like 4 sulfates in them. This article is somewhat misleading.
Water (Aqua), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Cocamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Apple Cider Vinegar, Polyquaternium- 10, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-150 Distearate, Tetrasodium EDTA, DMDM Hydantoin, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum).
Please don’t forget to include my favorite brand, Belle Butters. I sing this company’s praises not only because my hair loves the products, but because the gardenia scented whipped shea butter helped my mother to feel more comfortable in the final months of her life.https://www.bellebutters.com/
I love camille rose naturals! the curl love hair milk makes my hair so soft.
We have a Natural Indian Hair Oil that works great with curly hair! It’s called Darshana and was inspired by our travels to India. It helps smooth, moisturize, and condition hair of all types but is particularly helpful with dry, damaged, or curly hair. Its blend of natural oils contains antioxidants, omega 3-6-9, and vitamins which makes your hair healthier, smoother, and more manageable.
You can check us out at and email us with any questions:
http://www.DarshanaBeauty.com
http://www.facebook.com/darshanabeauty
Thank You!!
Shana
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Aspen3.jpg[/img]
I love Camille Rose Naturals brand and their ingredients. Their products are very moisturizing and they brought my hair back to life!
Peace everyone! since this article is about supporting black businesses, although this isn’t a hair business, I would like to put out there the name of my kemetic teacher and temple. http://www.akerukhametictemple.info + http://www.queenmotherimakhu.info if anyone here is interested in the Kemetic legacy and learning more about it please feel free to check out these sites! Hotep!
The PJ Arises— that’s the name of the movie that will showing in my house after reading this article. The problem is so many good products from black owned companies and so many of them work on my natural hair.Qhemet is a long time favorite (the Burdock root cream). Just tried camille rose—loves it. Shescentit products is another wonderful hair company. ( I am really praying that that company is black owned. ) not a lot of info on them, but i love the products. I gave up the asian shops a long time ago. I am glad i did. I dont want to disparage any group of people, but to spend all of my hair care dollars outside of my community just ain’t right. Plus, I got some tainted product from them one time and the shop owner acted as if it were my fault. No more
kind of like camille rose curl maker for my edges. plus it smells really good. the ingredient list contains natural stuff.
I hope Oyin Handmade will be included in the second list. Of the ones that are mentioned, I love Qhemet Biologics; the ingredients are stellar. However, I must admit that I have been very disappointed in the fact that they have not had a sale in more than two years. To top it off, free shipping is only offered sporadically and when it is offered, you have to spend at least $70.00 to qualify. Costumers are loyal to Qhemet because their products are great, but the company should give back to its costumers more often.
Hi Sandy! Oyin Handmade made the first list 🙂 Peep it here: https://bglh-marketplace.com/2013/08/8-incredible-black-owned-natural-hair-businesses-to-support/
Great article. I have been using Qhemet Biologics since April of this year and those products are amazing. I have naturally dry 4c hair and these products prevent me from worrying about hair moisture, which was once my number one problem with my hair. It’s not listed in the article, but my holy grail product is the Coco Tree Detangling Ghee by Qhemet Biologics. That stuff is a miracle! It makes detangling my hair very easy. Can I just repeat that I have the absolute tiniest spring-like 4c curls on the planet? I’m talking more than 70% shrinkage, and thus I get major tangles even with stretched hair! The Coco Tree Detangling Ghee is the QB product I use the most. It is a great leave-in conditioner and detangler. It softens hair, moisturizes and adds great slip to the hair. Yet it’s light enough to use as a leave in. The rest of this post will just be a review of the other QB products that I’ve tried. I think their entire line is fantastic. All of their products are staples of mine. I just wish they had a wash out conditioner.
Egyptian Wheat Grass Cleansing Tea: Fantastic sulfate-free shampoo that really cleanses the hair without stripping it. I find that the QB oils and leave-ins I use for styling act as a “pre-poo” for my hair. So, when I use this cleansing tea, my scalp gets super clean, but my hair still has a small amount of oil to protect it from tangles.
Castor and Moringa Softening Serum: This serum is wonderful. It really softens hair and gives great shine. It’s nice and light on the hair. It’s the lightest oil-based product in the line I think.
Honeybush Tea Soft Gel: This is my favorite gel I’ve tried. I like it better than even flax gel. It provides a very light hold. Great for slick styles. Unfortunately, they are discontinuing production of this 🙁
Olive and Honey Hydrating Balm: Fantastic! The consistency is very thick, like honey, but this product seals in moisture for days!! If you like to use oils rather creams, this is definitely a product to try. It works best on dry hair or very, very lightly dampened hair. Remember, oils on wet hair don’t really work b/c oil and water don’t mix. A cream is better on wet hair. Oils can seal moisturized, yet “dry” hair.
Aethiopika Hydrate and Twist Butter: This butter will actually absorb into the hair, rather than sit on top and weigh it down (*cough* shea butter *cough*). It makes the hair very soft and it’s also great for sealing in moisture for braided and twisted styles or updo’s.
Amla and Olive Heavy Cream: This cream is so strong in performance that I use it as body lotion. So if you have dry hair, get this stuff and stop walking around with that dry mess on your head! It is great if you like to use creams to seal in moisture, rather than oils.
Burdock Root Butter Cream: This serves the same purpose as the Amla and Olive Heavy Cream, but it is not as oily or heavy. However, I still use this as a body lotion if I have it rather than the Amla and Olive HC. You definitely don’t need to have both creams at the same time. They serve similar purposes.
Your website is by far the best I have seen. I have recently been battling with the idea of stopping weaves altogether, but my own hair is weak and not very manageable. I have started looking at natural products to grow my hair but it is very rare to find any on the market. I am even considering importing the goods myself and setting up a shop where people can but natural hair products! Thank you for sharing!
I am obsessed with Qhemet Biologics! It is the only product I will use in my hair! My 4c hair can’t survive without it! I recommend it highly for 4c hair! Everything they make is FANTASTIC!
Loved this list! I’ve tried a couple of these and I love combining the leave In of one line with the shampoo of another as well as butters and styling gels.(Tell tale signs of a PJ right? lol) Right now I’m using products only from smaller black owned businesses. http://www.edensheart.com is one of them too. love their leave in and their cleansing smoothie. They should be on the next list like this one.
I love these series of list on Black-owned Natural hair businesses but oh Lord it’s waking up the pj that sleeps in me. Very hard to resist the call with such beautiful products names, benefits and backstories.
good article and great resource – but I have an issue with the prices. Nothing is under 10 dollars (now I may have gone too fast and missed one) but to me its too expensive.
Hi Nylse, I totally understand. I consider myself a bargain shopper, but I’m discovering by and large that for the most part, you get what you pay for. These products are made with incredibly high quality ingredients, and in my eyes are well worth it 🙂
i use qb amla cream. it is the best.
however, the prices keep going up. products are not always in stock. the online store closes periodically – for long stretches. and the service, even when you try to address something with the owner, is not great. she is argumentative.
but yeah, these are very good products. i think she stays in business because of the quality of her product.
I’ve never had a problem with their customer service and I’m a repeat customer.
Wow. That’s unfair. She raised the price on one product by 50 cent. Everything else is the same price and she’s always been kind and helpful. When she does close, she makes her products available through other websites. She also offers college scholarships several times a year.
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Congratulations to everyone who made the list! I hope Hairitage Hydration will make the list next year. I also hope to see Coco curls on the list and Honey Chile hair love.
Hi Sheena!!! Thanks for the heads up on Hairitage. Checking them out now!
My thing is; I wish black people were SELLING the products. I hate having to go into the hair shops. I don’t even bother asking them any questions because they never seem to know anything! And they don’t care because they don’t have to – we go in there and buy the products anyway.
I don’t get it! You don’t see black people owning shops selling products targeted to Asian people?? I go into the hair shops – they own it, I go into the food shop to buy my carribean produce – they own it! What’s happening with us?! I’m actually surprised they’re not DOING our hair & selling me my curry goat and rice at my local takeaway!!
If any of the London, UK readers know of any black owned hair shops, let me know please!
There is a small black owned hair shop in south london – west croydon, she hasn’t got much natural products but its getting there, she has all the other stuff though and I think she is natural her self.
Love Qhemet. It’s been my staple for 4 years now.
Hi My name is tim smith I just read these articles why are black women always complaining why this is why the Koreans will always be far ahead we never want other black to move forward.if you have a complaint contact the owner black women are always making trouble n yes I am a black male
please take a seat, thank you
lol.
black women who are naturals have helps some of these business succeed. why do you think more are trying to come into the game?
if someone wants to say on a blog that a certain business owner or product has done a poor job, that’s cool.
it’s called social media. some of these business owners ought to know that if people have poor experiences, they may be posted in some sort of public way. if there’s is a business that struggles with service, i want to know. rather than stew over being put on blast, take it as a lesson and improve yourself.
get over it and get your business together.
btw, why not tell us which business you are associated with?
if you have a problem dealing with black women in business, don’t establish companies whose main product will be us. get over yourself.
finally, make use of some periods or commas or something, will ya?
have several seats timmy boy.
preach
hahaha omg you are the worst troll ever
There’s a brother o_0
Yes, I could tell by the bad grammar.
The issue with all these companies is you can only buy majority of them online!! I prefer to co into a store and buy hair products. I can read the label, smell the product, see the consistency and return it with no hassle if need be.
yeah but they all gotta start somewhere.
I agree with both Rayven and Deb that most are only online and need to start somewhere. The thing with handmade and/or small businesses is that because of the natural ingredients and their high quality, products are a little bit more expensive and the shelf life is way different from those laden with chemicals preservatives.At Rayven, you want to smell the product, see the consistency and return it with no hassle if need be; that’s fine but don’t forget that once the product is open, the spoilage starts and for those small businesses it means a lot. Would you buy a foundation that somebody else has opened and touched? I won’t for sure. Why? Because of the expiration date. You don’t know when the product was open right? but also because of the germs. You ignore if the person who opened and dug her hand in the product had clean fingers or not. This may sound crazy but it’s more common than you think especially in the Beauty section of most stores. The easiest way to go is to ask for samples. I know we have big thirsty hair and a sample is not enough but yet it is because it’s meant to be tried on a small section of hair to be compared with your regular products. If there are no samples available online, call the business owner and offer him/her to buy the sample. They seldom say no because they know it is a good way to attract customers.
Most foundations and other make up that I buy are sealed, there is no way for someone to drag their fingers through it!
FYI..I worked retail before and returns on cosmetics are not returned to the shelves but destroyed.
Bee Mine products is another one.
I may have to try them all. *don’t judge me*
Right now I’m lovin’ Oyin Handmade, Camille Rose, and Qhemet Biologics.
I’ve been wanting to try My Honey Child, Honey and Horsetail Reconstructor.
Omg I love this new feature. OOO but in the next one can you mention kimmaytube’s luvnatural’s line. I know she isn’t popular on the blogs, but I’m sure we can all agree that she has made youtube natural hair guru history. She introduced even more science and so much stuff to the community. It’s great to see our own making huge strides in the buisness world. I have yet to try her products tho, bc i’m have so many others. Can’t wait!
I tried the kimmaytube conditioner and the detangler. The ingredients were nice but I didn’t get enough softening nor slip from either product. I think it’s more for 4a’s and looser. They probably work better for finer strand thickness too. OTOH Quemet is too heavy and oily for me and just sits on my hair.
Sigh American naturals are so lucky. Here in South Africa we are not so lucky. What I would do to get my hands on these products 🙁
Tell me about it 🙁
Does anyone know if any of these stores are 100% percent organic?
I’m not going lie but post like this may turn me back to my product junkie ways. CURSE YOU PEOPLE. You gonna make a girl relapse
Sorry Mimi! I used to be a recovering PJ, lol. I gave up, and just embraced the fact that I love the experience of new brands and products. But to keep me from going bankrupt behind products, I gave myself a “PJ Budget”, which coincides with my “Small Business Pledge” budget. I am allowed to spend $25 a month on products from any of the small businesses I come across 🙂
I know, right? Thing is, there’s a big part of me that wants to buy all my staple products from black-owned companies. I just need to find conditioners and DCs that will do as good of a job as my beloved mainstream stand-bys…!
You should review the Koils By Nature line. My personal favorite is the leave in.
Nevermind. I saw it in the previous list you made.
LOVE this list. You showcased some of my favorites. Really got to get up on Sweet Eddie. I have a 2oz of their light moisturizer and people with fine texture would love this.
I love the list! I tried to go to the Camilla Rose website but it seems to have a virus or My Kapersky doesn’t seem to like it! Can you let them know? I want to visit the website!!!
It’s Kaspersky itself; I had it a while ago, and it flagged Wells Fargo as a harmful website.
But these sites look interesting; I will do some investigation.
LOVE THIS LIST, NEVER HEARD OF EDDIE’S NICE TO KNOW LOVE THAT THIS WAS ALL NATURAL COMPANIES FEATURED. LUCKILY I ALREADY HAVE MY STAPLES AND CAMILLE ROSE IS ON MY LIST. I WILL SAY THAT YNOBE SHOP HAS A TERRIBLE OWNER WITH A RUDE ATTITUDE AND SENT ME EXPIRED SMELLY PRODUCTS. NEVER AGAIN SMH. AND THAT NATTY LADY LIKES TO ACT STANK TO
Have you tried contacting the owner of this company with your issues? That doesn’t seem like something she would do. I know her personally and she is very customer service friendly.
I DID DIRECTLY AND SHE GOT STANK WITH ME
It is usually proper etiquette to voice a complaint with the owner directly rather than a third party. Your situation may be isolated but others will think it’s the norm and that will affect their business. Shame on you.
myob
I have NEVER ever heard anyone complain about either of these companies and I follow a ton of pages. And I definitely never heard All Things ONatural having any negative comments about them, their business or their pages, so I’m not sure what your issue may be. .but it’s seems you are the common denominator in the equation. And as momoflv stated abovr, the proper thing to do is voice negative remarks directly to the owners in an email. And I also noticed you spoke about’ stank attitudes’…have you actually ever supported or used the products. .another factor I’ve never heard about either company, ‘bad products’?
STOP SCREAMING