Black women slam white influencers like Alix Earle for promoting popular hair oil
Black women have criticized white influencers for promoting a popular oil treatment typically used on natural hair.
Alix Earle and Danielle Athena, both white, are among the social media stars who have been promoting Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil from Mielle Organics in recent weeks.
But their approval, which resulted in sell-outs across the country, was met with ferocious reactions from members of the black community.
Dozens were frustrated that the product made specifically for their hair was no longer readily available when options were already limited.
Black women, including Ronelle Tshiela (pictured), have criticized white influencers for promoting a popular oil treatment typically used on natural hair
Alix Earle, who is white, is one of the social media stars who have been promoting Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil from Mielle Organics in recent weeks
Alix recommended the product to her five million TikTok followers in December as part of a roundup of her favorite merchandise in 2022.
The 22-year-old, from New Jersey, said she experienced “massive hair growth” after using the oil and only a short time later there were widespread sales in stores.
Alex also added the Mielle oil to her Amazon storefront, which meant she earned commissions from sales.
But the influencer was soon inundated with complaints from the black community urging white women to be more mindful.
The comments also reflected the mood as one social media user wrote, “That Mielle oil is getting so much harder to get!”
Another added, “Now I have to buy as much Mielle oil as I can before they change the formula and the price.” Sisters be strong.’
And a third said, “If you look up Mielle, it literally says ‘products for black hair’… I don’t understand.”
But she wasn’t the only star to be called out for their endorsement of the hair oil in recent weeks.
Alix recommended the product to her five million TikTok followers in December as part of a roundup of her favorite merchandise in 2022
But she was soon inundated with complaints from the black community urging white women to be more mindful
Beauty guru Danielle Athena finally deleted her TikTok video after she was met with a barrage of backlash earlier this year
Beauty guru Danielle Athena eventually deleted her TikTok video after it was met with a barrage of backlash earlier this year.
Her clip opened the floodgates for criticism with some women voicing their disgust despite the oil being advertised by the black brand as “for all hair types.”
Law student Ronelle Tshiela was among those who spoke out about the use of white women using the oil.
In a clip on TikTok, the 23-year-old said, “So there is a lot of controversy surrounding white women buying Mielle Organics rosemary hair oil.
‘I really need to know something. You go to the website, you see it’s made by a black woman and they really emphasize how it works for black women.
Law student Ronelle Tshiela was among those who spoke out about the use of white women using the oil
‘You now know that there aren’t many products on the market for us. On their Amazon page it’s the same, there are pictures of black women and they emphasize black women in their marketing.
“When you enter the store, you have to march to the ethnic hair department and you notice that this department is significantly smaller than all the other departments.
Knowing everything you know, doesn’t it feel a little weird to still buy the product and then go online and hype it up and tell everyone to buy it.
“And if it doesn’t feel weird, why not?”
Spoke this week with the New York Timessaid Ronelle, “At one point it sold out at every target in New Hampshire.
“I was frustrated because as a black woman there aren’t that many options to begin with. The natural and ethnic hair care aisle is very limited.”
Mielle owner Monique Rodriguez, 39, (pictured) addressed the allegation at the time, confirming that the company would keep the formula the same
Users feared that the trend would increase the price of the product or lead to formula changes
Users feared that the trend would increase the price of the product or lead to formula changes.
But at the time, Mielle owner Monique Rodriguez, 39, addressed the allegation and confirmed that the company would keep the formula the same.
“We have no plans to change the formula for rosemary mint oil or any other products,” Rodriguez wrote on Twitter.
“There have been a few recent comments on this subject, but I can personally guarantee that we are not making any changes to ingredients.”
Monique, who founded the company in 2014, told the publication, “I understand and understand the frustration of black women and why they want to protect an item.
“I think everyone should be able to use any product if it works for their hair. I’m not going to discriminate which race it should use.”
Manufacturing giant Procter & Gamble bought Mielle Organics in January and Monique, who is still CEO, hopes this will help increase distribution and make the products more widely available.