Let’s face it, sometimes we African naturals feel short changed with products that are made and marketed for natural hair. We see them all the time on blogs overseas and being praised in videos from international vloggers. But where do we get them? I get asked this all the time as I’m currently using quite a few products that aren’t readily available at your local Clicks or Dischem. When I first went natural four years ago, I prepped myself by watching thousands of videos and taking note of all the delicious sounding products and tools all of these beautifully haired women were raving about only to…not find them. Anywhere in Joburg. Since then I’ve come across quite a few stores (albeit online) that can scratch our itch for products and tools for our fros – local and international. Here are seven sites that offer natural hair goodies based right here in South Africa.
1. Ruutos – ruutos.com
Notable products: Ruutos Moisture Collection, Havana Twists extensions, hair tools, weaves and wigs.
Ruutos is a locally based, locally made brand that focuses on natural hair. Even if you’re not natural, Ruutos offers a wide range of products to help you with moisturising and styling as well as protecting your hair with their weave and wig collection. Owner Lucy is a 4C natural haired woman who tested the products on her own hair and can give advice based on her experience. You can order online or visit them at their salon/store in Randburg.
2. Tender Loving Hair – tlhonline.com
Notable products: Shea Moisture, Sunny Isle Jamaica Black Castor Oil.
If you’ve been doing your research, you’d know that almost every natural online raves about Shea Moisture products. And now that includes me. As you know, it’s not easy to please me when it comes to hair products as I’ve found that there’s always something not quite right about them. The past few weeks I’ve been using only Shea Moisture’s Coconut and Hibiscus line (that I got from the site and my sister in the US) with my own daily spritz and Fro has been ecstatic. Tender Loving Hair is a South African duo based in Joburg and offer a wide selection of most Shea Moisture ranges online.
3. Mzansi Fro – mzansifro.com
Notable products: Nubian Nature, Aunt Jackie’s
Many of you know about the blog Mzansi Fro but did you know they now sell products on their online store? What’s nice about this collection is that it’s mostly local brands so the prices are very affordable. The store also sells other beauty products and has a monthly subscription beauty service called “The Noir Box”. So you can get a treat for your hair and for yourself too.
4. Earthy – earthy.co.za
Notable products: Earthy, satin scarves and satin pillowcases.
Another locally made brand, Earthy sticks to the basic essentials for healthy natural hair which is especially useful for the newbie natural or the woman who likes to keep it to just the essentials. It also stocks satin scarves and pillowcases – a must have for all women, natural or not. And they’re the pretty ones. Owner and founder Mummy rocks some luscious natural hair herself and gives personal advice to her customers. Give one of her pop up stores a visit, she’s great fun.
5. Obulunji – obulunji.com
Notable products: Jane Carter, Cantu Shea Butter, Eco Styler Gel, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, afro kinky hair extensions.
Possibly one of the widest selections of raved about natural hair products I’ve seen online, Obulunji boasts not just products but a selection of afro kinky hair pieces including marley hair. I used their marley hair last year and did a style challenge with it, and now I finally have a local place to get my Hello Hydration conditioner for my Daily Spritz!
6. Niche Hair Care – nichehaircare.co.za
Notable products: T444Z, Design Essentials
Women all over the world swear by T444Z. And if you’ve attended any of their events, you’d know why. I can’t personally vouch for it but a believable number of women use it exclusively and have recovered their hair lines as well as had a surreal amount of hair growth with it. I believe Niche Hair Care is the only distributor of T444Z in SA as well as of Design Essentials which is raved about by US bloggers and celebrities alike. They have a wide selection of Design Essentials as well as their new Coconut Monoi line.
7. Faithful to Nature – faithful-to-nature.co.za
Notable products: Unrefined shea butter, coconut oil and butter, essential oils.
l just bumped into this site last week! I’m so excited about it because basic goodies such as shea butter seem to be harder and harder to find in Joburg. The last two batches I’ve gotten were from abroad. Based in Cape Town, Faithful to Nature offers so many products good for not just our hair but skin too and at decent prices. Have a look at their selection to find some sulphate free shampoos, preservative free butters, handcrafted goods and more. Very excited to give them a go.
Happy shopping!
*Please note: I’m not associated in any way with the above sites nor endorse their online services. This is a post intended to provide information.
Hi Aisha besides shopping online where can i find this natural hair stores around JHB, i'm also looking for CANTU hair products, i would like to buy some of this product, but not online… Please kindly direct me!!!
I have shopped at the Faithful to Nature store and tried some of their essential oils and biotin. They also sell some wholesome foods and a whole lot of other organic niceties i.e lipsticks, body cremes, chocolate bars, gluten-free flour (for my mum).I love them.
A nice post, thanks Aisha. Another goodie shop for natural is soon to open in Cape Town. i will update.
I use earthy and loving their goodies. 🙂
I got the Shea Butter from Faithful to Nature once, it is not raw so it is not yellow nor as fragrant, and did not give my hair all it needed. Other than that the site is great.
Hmm, I'll still give them a go methinks.
Oh wow thank you very much for this! It's always frustrating to be limited to a few products that may or may not work for one's hair!
http://www.anicheberry.blogspot.com
Yeah it can get frustrating. It's always great to know we have more options.
Thank you Aisha
😉
Thank you Aisha for a much needed post! Its always so frustrating to read blogs and watch YT videos featuring products which we dont have access to. Its great that we can have easy access to some of these products (albeit online), and even local products which can meet our needs and curiosity. For those also searching for Aunt Jackie's products, I know some Clicks stores (larger ones) and Newlook Costmetics stock these (in small quantities however). Thanks again Aisha!
Hi Sandra, which Clicks stores sell Aunt Jackies? I have looked around but no luck.
Sure thing Sandra, thanks for your comment!
No ma Clare, Mzansi Fro also sells it. Check out the link above.
I've bought an Aunt Jackies product from Africa Cash and Carry (Crown Mines) which doesn't always have stock but will be sure to give you the lowest price for each product, they also have Aunt Jackies for Girls, Elasta QP, Curls Unleashed, again remember stock and such will not always be in a large number and people clear the shelves very quickly too.
yep, faithful to nature is my number one go to place, I'm shopping on there as I type. great efficient service. Lovely selection with the bst prices I have seen so far.
Nice! All the more for me to try them.
Hey Aisha thank u so much for the post. Finding products and stores in South Africa can be soo tiring and futile sometimes
My pleasure, hope you get some goodies soon 😉
Hi Aisha,
Thank you for the information.
Am still a bit backwards when it comes to online shopping more expecialy hair products, i feel deprived of smelling the product and deciding if i personally like the smell and other aspects as a consumer.
I hope all these famous brands reach our retailers soon too so we as consumers can get a personal feel to the products. Otherwise online shopping is convenient but sometimes one can get disappointed with the product that looked promising in words and reviews.
Am loving the progression of your Blog.
xx
N
Hi N, thanks for your comment. For me the only benefit from seeing a hair product in person as opposed to online is smelling it. I'm very particular about smells. Because you still won't know if it'll work on your hair until you actually try it anyways.
Thanks Aisha for this information, looking forward to new products, been using Earthy products and i love them, Fro will be four months soon.
Glad you found it useful, Providence 🙂