Curly hair shampoo: Should local brands join this trend?

"My hair has been a mess. Because of curls, my hair looks chaotic with no shine and broken edges," said Oishee Islam (pseudonym), a 17-year-old Birshreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College student. 

"Every day, I wake up with my hair tangled around my head. It is really uncomfortable. I have tried many shampoos from different brands, but I need to find a way to suit my needs. At the end of the day, I am left with rough hair with no shine," complained Oishee as she shared her muddled experience. 

"My hair often stays dry and frizzy. During the winter, my scalp is filled with dandruff, making it oily and irritating. My wavy curls often have split ends and are continuously breaking. I am really nervous about my hair at this rate," said Afia Nawar, an engineering student, as she sighed about her dreadful hair condition. 

When asked if she used hair products that suited her needs, she responded, "I normally use Sunsilk; otherwise, Tresemme Botanique Nourish & Replenish. I also use a conditioner from Pro-Fiber and pure coconut oil, but nothing seems to be a permanent solution." 

There is no denying that hair care is an essential part of personal grooming, and the first step towards achieving luscious locks is choosing the ideal shampoo. 

In Bangladesh, where hair comes in all textures and shapes, curly hair requires particular attention. With strong competitors from Naturale, Pantene, Dove, Head & Shoulders, Sunsilk, Clear, and many other brands, hair care is improving daily. 

"In my opinion, Pantene has the most variants among all the brands here, but Sunsilk is also picking up the pace. But whenever someone comes to buy, they just buy plain old Sunsilk." 

"It is actually cheap considering the premium ranges of different variants from Dove and Head & Shoulders," said Samiha Akhter (pseudonym), a 43-year-old local shopkeeper in Board Bazar, Gazipur, when we wanted to know about the buying trends of her customers. When further inquired about her customer's interest in getting a curly or wavy hair shampoo, she said, "I don't think anyone would even dare to look at the special shampoo variants. It is a privilege to use such shampoo given that they are pricey." 

"But what if someone actually wanted shampoo for special hair needs?" When asked, Fatema Begum (pseudonym), a customer who was buying shampoo at the same time, answered that she never found those shampoos in front of her. One day she went to her local Shwapno in Gazipur but had to look in a corner to see her favourite Pantene. She added, "Since I am sceptical about shifting my brand, I had doubts when I wanted a new hair growth shampoo." 

When choosing the right shampoo for curly hair, opting for a formula that provides the right balance of moisture and definition without weighing down the curls is imperative. 

Shampoos that contain sulfate and other harsh chemicals can strip the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and frizz. So, has the time come for the brands to step up their game with shampoo for curly hair? Should brands join the trend to embrace the curl?

"I am actually afraid to use curly hair shampoo as I heard from a friend of mine that it contained more keratin that could damage my hair more. Also, having straight hair is the trend among my friends these days." 

"Straight hair looks shinier and more outlandish, but if I had the chance to keep my hair wavy by just using shampoo and not serum, hair masks, and capsules, I would love to do so," said Anchal Hossain, an engineering student who loves to take care of her long wavy hair. 

There are many types of curls, whether for a man or a woman, from wavy and curly to coily; every hair has an ideal solution. While wavy hair has loose curls and is relatively easy to manage, curly hair requires more maintenance to retain its bounce and definition. 

"As a male with curly hair, I find myself in a tough position while choosing a shampoo, as none has yet provided me with a definitive solution." 

"I usually use Herbal Essence and Head & Shoulders but would love to try a shampoo for curls," said KM Srizon (pseudonym), a busy corporate soldier from Khilgaon, Dhaka. 

"However, I love my curls and would love to embrace them," added Srizon as he felt a sense of pride in his curls.  

Several leading brands in Bangladesh offer shampoos specifically designed for curly hair. The L'Oreal Paris 'EverCurl' and 'Curl Nourishment' lines, Pantene's 'Gold Series' line, Shea Moisture's range of products formulated with natural ingredients, and Herbal Essence's 'Shine Nourishment' series are just some of many. 

In addition, online shops from Daraz, Shawpno, and Meena Bazar to beauty-specific online shops like Shajgoj have dedicated sections for curly and wavy hair, from shampoos and hair conditioners to serums; they have them all. 

Undoubtedly, the demand for general hair care products, especially shampoos, has increased in Bangladesh recently. With more people becoming aware of the importance of hair care and the availability of various hair types, it is a great time for local brands in Bangladesh to start the curly hair shampoo business. 

The curly hair market is one of the most underserved segments in the hair care industry. Although several international brands offer shampoos specially designed for curly hair, they are expensive and may not cater to the needs of Bangladeshi consumers. 

Hence, it presents an opportunity for local brands from Square Group, Keya Group, Unilever and other brands to step in and fill the gap by offering high-quality, natural shampoo solutions for curly hair.

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