What price will you pay for healthy hair?

Celebrity hairdresser Verona White says we should give more attention to the products we put on our hair, and how we can love on our hair by using natural products

Hair has never just been hair. It is identity, culture, confidence. It is often the first thing people notice before you have even spoken. So, when we talk about loving our hair, we are really talking about loving ourselves fully and unapologetically. 

For years, many of us have tried to fit into standards that were never designed with textured hair in mind. We have straightened, relaxed, glued, sprayed and hidden our natural textures. We have chased trending hairlines, miracle growth oils and trusted products, filled with ingredients we can’t pronounce. Somewhere along the way, we became consumers of hair care without becoming students of our own hair. 

Walk into any beauty supply shop and the shelves are packed with growth serums, protein reconstructors and leave-in conditioners promising instant transformation. Yet so many people are still battling dryness, breakage, thinning edges and irritated scalps. Something does not add up. More brands are now being questioned as awareness grows around the long-term effects of certain ingredients. People are beginning to realise that what we apply to our scalp matters. Beauty and health are connected. We deserve transparency, and we deserve better. 

What if we approached hair care the same way we approach food? We have learnt to read food labels. We understand processed versus whole foods. We are more mindful about what we eat. Why not apply that same awareness to our hair? Instead of blindly buying, what if we started creating or reading? 

Think of your hair routine as something intentional rather than artificial, blended with purpose instead of packed with unknown additives. You do not need a laboratory. A blender, a spatula, measuring jugs and curiosity are more than enough. Learn what different oils actually do. Understand how moisture works. Pay attention to protein balance and how your hair responds to it. Take jojoba oil, for example. It is one of the closest oils to the natural sebum our scalp produces. That means it absorbs beautifully, helps regulate oil production and supports scalp health without clogging pores.

Then there is shea butter, olive oil, fenugreek, aloe vera, castor oil and argan oil. These are not trends, they are traditions. They have been used for generations across different cultures. They may not come in glossy packaging or bright colours, but they are effective and accessible.

A simple moisturising shampoo you can prepare in five minutes is an aloe vera blend. All you need is fresh aloe vera, a little jojoba oil and one vitamin C capsule. Wash and peel the aloe, place the clear flesh into a blender and blend until smooth. Add a small amount of jojoba oil and empty the vitamin C capsule into the mixture. Blend again, then strain it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. You have now created a fresh, moisturising shampoo that supports your hair – without overwhelming it, making it dry.  

While writing my book 20 DIY Recipes for Afro Curly Hair, one thing became very clear: the psychology behind many commercial products often centres on scent and presentation. We are naturally drawn to what smells beautiful and looks impressive. Natural blends rarely compete visually. They do not lather dramatically. They are not brightly coloured. They do not shout luxury. But ask yourself honestly, does your hair need theatrics or nourishment?

Education protects you 

You can eat out every day or cook at home. Both have their place. But if you constantly eat out, you lose control over what goes into your body. The same principle applies to hair care. When every product is pre-mixed and pre-marketed, you surrender knowledge. Creating your own blends reconnects you to your hair and encourages you to observe what your strands actually need.  

Plant-based ingredients often last longer than expected because a little goes a long way. They penetrate effectively, moisturise properly, and strengthen from within. They work with your hair rather than against it. 
 
Whether you wear braids, wigs, silk presses, twist-outs or protective styles, the foundation must always be healthy hair. No style can compensate for neglected strands. Growth begins at the scalp. Strength begins with consistency. 
 
Loving your hair means investing time. It means reading labels. It means questioning trends. It means recognising that not every recommendation aligns with your hair’s integrity. 
 
Start small. Replace one synthetic oil blend with pure jojoba or castor oil. Try a simple aloe vera leave-in. And, if making your own products feels overwhelming, choose brands whose ingredient lists you genuinely understand and trust. 
 
Hair is part of who you are. When you suppress it, damage it or alter it beyond recognition in pursuit of approval, there is always a price – sometimes emotional, sometimes physical. Taking control of what goes into your hair is not just a beauty decision. It is self-respect. 
 
For the love of hair, choose knowledge. Choose intention. Choose yourself. 
 
VERONA WHITE
Hair stylist, wig technician, author and educator. To learn more about her courses, follow on Instagram @afrohairgrowthchallenge