Black hairstylists and their clients are bracing for price hikes and supply shortages after the Trump administration announced new tariffs on imported Chinese goods—including the synthetic and human hair products that power the multibillion-dollar Black hair industry.
The back-and-forth tariff dance is still ongoing, but many merchants have already tacked on increases for what they consider the inevitable.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office levied tariffs as high as 145% on certain Chinese imports. Although that figure was later reduced to 30%, industry leaders say the damage is already done—and Black-owned businesses are taking the hit.
“Everything from the shampoo to the thread to sew the wigs have gone up because of tariffs,” said Houston stylist Davion Anderson, who specializes in custom wig making. “In fact, the hair I usually buy for my clients to make their wigs has gone up 40 percent.”
Warren Broadnax, CEO of She’s Happy Hair—a national Black-owned beauty brand with five retail locations—says his company has been pushed to the brink by the unpredictable, rising costs.
“Without a sustainable tariff rate being set, we can’t forecast how to set our prices,” Broadnax explained. “That cuts into our margins. At first, we tried to eat some of the costs. But when tariffs jumped aggressively, we had no choice but to raise prices just to stay in business.”
A billion dollar business
In 2024 alone, the U.S. imported more than $1.6 billion in wigs, weaves, and hairpieces—most of it from China. This includes synthetic and human hair bundles, braiding hair, lace-front wigs, closures, and even the packaging and tools required to create and maintain protective styles.
According to a study by Market.us, Black women spend six times more on hair care than other ethnicities. Protective styles are not a luxury—they are essential. But for stylists and hair businesses, the new tariffs have disrupted an already fragile ecosystem.
“My business has tapered off,” Anderson said. “People are having to choose between essentials and getting their hair done. And Black women often put their needs on the back burner to take care of their families.”
Broadnax echoes that sentiment and warns the problem runs deeper than just price hikes. “We’ve missed sales because we’re paying for inventory we don’t have,” he said. “We’re one of the few companies that pays up front before receiving inventory. So when shipments are delayed two to three weeks while FedEx or DHL decides how much in tariffs we owe, that’s money sitting in limbo—and it’s impacting our ability to pay employees.”
Sometimes, he added, carriers show up with inventory only to demand thousands in fees on the spot. “We’ve literally had drivers show up with boxes and say, ‘You owe $3,000 in tariffs and I need a money order right now,’” Broadnax said. “Our staff doesn’t handle large amounts of cash, and we’re caught scrambling. That delay puts us further behind on sales.”
Losing Consumer Trust
The delays and price fluctuations are not just hurting profits—they’re damaging consumer trust.
“Our customers have come to know us as reliable,” Broadnax said. “We’re open seven days a week, and we keep the shelves stocked. But now, customers walk in looking for their favorite bundle and we don’t have it. That’s something we’ve worked 13 years to avoid.”
And even though inflation is affecting everyone, Broadnax says Black-owned businesses often don’t get the benefit of the doubt.
“If a $100 bundle becomes $240 overnight because of tariffs, most customers aren’t watching CNBC. They’re not thinking about trade wars—they think we’re trying to get rich off them,” he said. “So some of these increases, we take on the chin. We’re resilient, but I don’t want that to make people think it’s easy. It’s anything but easy.”
The Cultural and Political Weight of Hair
Hair has always been political for Black people. Laws like the CROWN Act, which prohibit discrimination based on natural or protective hairstyles, have made progress—but economic policy is now undermining access to those same styles.
“I believe people should not be forced to divest themselves of their racial cultural identity by changing their natural hair in order to adapt,” said Texas State Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers, D-Rowlett, who helped pass the CROWN Act in Texas. “People should not miss out on opportunities or success because of the way they choose to wear their hair.”
Even maintaining natural styles has gotten more expensive, with the cost of moisturizing and maintenance products climbing due to import fees and supply chain delays. Some stylists are asking clients to bring their own hair or stock up early. But that’s not a long-term solution.
“I had a customer tell me she bought from Amazon because our prices went up,” Broadnax said. “Then she came back a week later saying the hair was trash. It shed, it tangled—and now she has to buy our product again and pay for a reinstall. In the long run, customers lose too.”
Broadnax said he’s tried to negotiate better terms with suppliers, but many are unwilling to share the burden. “They say it’s not their president, not their problem,” he said. “But it’s our reality. And with no new capital or credit lines being extended by banks, we’re having to shoulder all of it ourselves.”
What you can do
Advocates are calling for fairer economic policy and for consumers to support Black-owned beauty brands through this volatile period.
“These tariffs aren’t just about goods—they’re about our livelihoods, our self-worth, and our communities,” Anderson said. “And for Black women especially, hair has always been political.”
Sidebar: How to Support the Black Hair Industry
- Ask your stylist how to care for your hair to extend its longevity.
- Buy from trusted, Black-owned beauty supply stores and salons.
- Follow brands like She’s Happy Hair to stay informed about price changes and inventory.
- Advocate for trade policies that consider the economic and cultural impact on Black communities.
