Happy Women’s Month, Esscential Beauties!
As we celebrate women past and present, I’d like to pay homage to a trailblazer in the hair care industry—Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919). A talented entrepreneur, she turned her hair care company into an empire and became the first African-American female millionaire in the United States.
Walker was inspired to create hair care products for African-American women after a scalp disorder caused her to lose much of her own hair. She began by selling products directly to African-American women and later expanded her business by employing sales agents to hand sell her products. Walker also opened a beauty school and factory for her products. She donated generously to educational causes, funding scholarships for women to attend Tuskegee Institute.
By the time of her death, the Madam C.J. Walker Company had employed 40,000 people. In 2013, Sundial Brands purchased Madam C.J. Walker Enterprises and relaunched the brand as Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture.
While I don’t know the formula to Madam C.J. Walker’s infamous Wonderful Hair Grower pomade, I’d like to share a list of essential oils that promote hair growth and treat certain hair conditions.
Essential Oil | Properties |
Bergamot | Treats oily hair |
Cedarwood | Treats fungal infections of the scalp |
Cypress | Treats dandruff |
Eucalyptus | Relieves itchy scalp |
Geranium | Treats dry hair |
Stimulates growth, treats dry hair | |
Lemon | Treats oily hair |
Lemongrass | Treats dandruff |
Peppermint | Stimulates growth |
Rosemary | Stimulates growth, treats dandruff |
Sandalwood | Promotes healthy gray hair, treats dry hair |
Tea tree | Treats dandruff and oily hair |
Ylang ylang | Stimulates growth |
To all of the women who go out of their way to educate, edify and empower others, we see you and we salute you!
Peace, love & healthy skin!
LA~