This Black Woman Owned Non-Toxic Hair Brand Makes History With QVC Launch

By Jasmine Browley ·Updated February 10, 2023

Although it’s a beloved protective styling methods, braid extensions can be toxic to the wearer if not careful. Popular synthetic braiding hair can often be made with plastic and harmful materials that can minimally inflame the scalp, or lead to more serious health issues down the line.

Fortunately, Tiffini Gatlin has come to our rescue.

As originally reported by Afrotech, Gatlin launched Latched and Hooked Beauty in 2016 — a premium synthetic hair extension brand that aims to provide Black women with healthier styling choices. After five years of servicing consumers, Gatlin’s was recognized by Google for Startups with a $100,000 award for her business. She also honored as Ulta Beauty’s MUSE 100 honorees.

Now, she’s celebrating yet another milestone. Earlier this month, it was reported that Gatlin launched her synthetic wig design on QVC — the first Black-owned faux hair designer to do so.

“This historic moment means that I wasn’t crazy when I decided to enter into a niche market where there were no blueprints,” Gatlin said in an AfroTech interview. “My work over the last six years was not in vain and I have proven that Black women want quality hair products to help them feel their most confident self.”

She continued: “I may be the first to launch a hair extension product for Black women on QVC but I certainly do not want to be the last,” she continued. “I hope this moment will inspire my fellow Black woman founders to persist in the face of adversities and if you define a problem and you are passionate about solving it, don’t seek validation — solve the problem and the rest will come.”

“I wanted to design a wig for women who don’t wear wigs,” Gatlin explained to AfroTech. “Wigs can be intimidating and the wig I’m launching on QVC is a pre-tied turban wig so there is no lace cutting or gluing. Also, because the hair is synthetic there is no daily manipulation required. The goal was to create a wig that she can put on and go in 60 seconds or less.”

The post This Black Woman Owned Non-Toxic Hair Brand Makes History With QVC Launch appeared first on Essence.