ALTernative 100% Natural Hair Products
New product launches are often met with an element of anticipation, a dash of imagination and a healthy dose of expectation. And that adage stayed true to form at the Ryan Foster Salon for the ALTernative natural hair products line introduction in Philadelphia recently.
Anika Lee Thompson, the salon’s proprietor and the line’s creator greeted guests warmly and enthusiastically, as scores of clients, colleagues and well wishers packed into the uber cool salon with natural brick walls and high gloss wood flooring. Thompson stole away from the soiree to speak with rolling out regarding the product line and what she hopes it will accomplish for African American women who choose to go au naturale. –roz edward
What does the product line consist of?
It consisits of the STR8 AWAY SUFLE. 10DRIL and OLIVETTE. Our products allow your hair to go back to their natural textures, like a curly or a coiled texture or women can wear a completely straight look with the STR8 AWAY SUFLE.
What should women who women who want to grow their hair use?
Honestly, nothing really grows your hair. Hair grows a quarter of an inch to half of an inch a month. Good, healthy eating habits, consistent hair maintenance and not using too much heat and staying away from tension like braids or anything constrictive to your hair will prevent breakage and promote growth.
What makes ALTernative different from all of the other hair products available?
I make it myself and every product is stamped with love. With most products you have to use one [solution] to make your hair curly or another chemical solution to make your hair staight. With ALTernative you have the option of either style with the same product. There isn’t another product on the market that does what we do.
Are your products cost effective?
Yes. In a two ounce jar of STR8 AWAY SUFLE you get 70 applications. That may seem unrealistic but out videos and customer testimonials prove that it’s true. With the 10DRIL women only need to use a dollop to get the results that they want.
Is natural hair more difficult to care for?
Not at all. We as black women don’t really have a relationship with our natural hair.
We’ve gotten so far removed from what really is our natural texture, that when we see new growth we think it’s nappy and we cover it up. We have accepted that European facade for what is ‘good hair’ but as African American women we have the most beautiful texture of all and we shouldn’t be running away from that look. So with ALTernative we make it simple to get and maintain your natural look.
