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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to consider buying your black hair products from black owned businesses?

41 replies

kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 19:58

Another tale of an assault on a black woman shopping for hair products.

This time, a woman from Peckham, shopping at Shaba Hair and Cosmetics (they also have a branch in Dalston, both places in London) was assaulted by men who posessed a hammer and physically ssaulted a woman and her teenage son.

This is on top of repeated concerns about fake products being sold, and general everyday intimidation and rudeness towards their black customers.

The men who own the shop, and worked at the shop, were not black.

OP posts:
BMW58 · 05/08/2026 20:04

Wouldn't it be better to get this moved to the Black Musnetters site? They are your target audience

Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:07

BMW58 · 05/08/2026 20:04

Wouldn't it be better to get this moved to the Black Musnetters site? They are your target audience

I think that it isnt just black people who use hair products aimed towards the black community

Lots of Asian, White and European people have various needs for the products sold in these shops, and it requires people from all walks of life to take notice here

OP posts:
ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 05/08/2026 20:09

kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:07

I think that it isnt just black people who use hair products aimed towards the black community

Lots of Asian, White and European people have various needs for the products sold in these shops, and it requires people from all walks of life to take notice here

Show quote history

So you mean anyone who buys hair products, just not Black people who buy hair products?

Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:10

ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 05/08/2026 20:09

So you mean anyone who buys hair products, just not Black people who buy hair products?

Show quote history

My thread is open to anyone, and is a plea aimed at people who buy hair products aimed at black people

OP posts:
scoobysnaxx · 05/08/2026 20:11

Yes I now absolutely buy my products from black owned businesses or generic stores like boots. I avoid retailers like this. We know who they are and how we are treated.

Burningbud1981 · 05/08/2026 20:13

kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:10

My thread is open to anyone, and is a plea aimed at people who buy hair products aimed at black people

Show quote history

You’re not being unreasonable. I’m a black women and would love to buy my hair products from a black owned business. But there are few and the ones I’ve used in the past have been 2x more expensive and the customer service hasn’t been great

Ipsevenenabibas · 05/08/2026 20:17

Didn't this happen in 2023?

Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:18

Ipsevenenabibas · 05/08/2026 20:17

Didn't this happen in 2023?

Happened again recently, i think this week.

I am not sure whether the hair shop was the same one from 2023.

OP posts:
ForPinkDuck · 05/08/2026 20:19

Ive just looked up this business the owner has been fined for selling skin bleaching products and has assulted a woman, previously shocking.

Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:19

Burningbud1981 · 05/08/2026 20:13

You’re not being unreasonable. I’m a black women and would love to buy my hair products from a black owned business. But there are few and the ones I’ve used in the past have been 2x more expensive and the customer service hasn’t been great

Edited
Show quote history

Oh how sad

I only have one near me, north of the river, and it is going to be a trek to get there but will try my best

The local pax is a 20 min walk from me, a 5 min drive.

OP posts:
Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:20

ForPinkDuck · 05/08/2026 20:19

Ive just looked up this business the owner has been fined for selling skin bleaching products and has assulted a woman, previously shocking.

Do you know whether this owner was the one who stranged a lady in 2023?

How disgusting, the chain needs to close and the owner prosecuted criminally.

OP posts:
Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:21

scoobysnaxx · 05/08/2026 20:11

Yes I now absolutely buy my products from black owned businesses or generic stores like boots. I avoid retailers like this. We know who they are and how we are treated.

Yes, we do. Every trip is an experience of discrimination.

I will buy from boots also, as I find that theyre unlikely to be selling fake produce.

I dont trust amazon, but have bought from there to avoid the stress of going to the shop.

OP posts:
Burningbud1981 · 05/08/2026 20:23

kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:19

Oh how sad

I only have one near me, north of the river, and it is going to be a trek to get there but will try my best

The local pax is a 20 min walk from me, a 5 min drive.

Show quote history

I’m south of the river. The ones we’ve had haven’t lasted long sadly. Boots is good I try and buy from them if I can. Amazon sell a few products too

ForPinkDuck · 05/08/2026 20:24

Do you know whether this owner was the one who stranged a lady in 2023?
Yes, it waa the owner in 2023, was it him i the latest incident?

VointofPiew · 05/08/2026 20:24

This is in the right place because plenty of white women have to shop for products because their kids have black heritage or are black.

Ginflinger · 05/08/2026 20:25

It is probably very uncool to do this, because the business is owned by a friend of mine, but I buy and love Umthi products. Super ethical business. www.umthi.co.uk/

PrawnAgain · 05/08/2026 20:26

scoobysnaxx · 05/08/2026 20:11

Yes I now absolutely buy my products from black owned businesses or generic stores like boots. I avoid retailers like this. We know who they are and how we are treated.

Me too. Boots or black-owned only.

Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:31

Ginflinger · 05/08/2026 20:25

It is probably very uncool to do this, because the business is owned by a friend of mine, but I buy and love Umthi products. Super ethical business. www.umthi.co.uk/

I wont tell if you wont

Thanks, will take a look

OP posts:
Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:31

VointofPiew · 05/08/2026 20:24

This is in the right place because plenty of white women have to shop for products because their kids have black heritage or are black.

Exactly my thinking

OP posts:
Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:32

ForPinkDuck · 05/08/2026 20:24

Do you know whether this owner was the one who stranged a lady in 2023?
Yes, it waa the owner in 2023, was it him i the latest incident?

Edited

Nasty business to the core

I am not sure, the lady who spoke said there were several men but didnt say whether they were the owner iirc

OP posts:
EllaAtLarge · 05/08/2026 20:35

Excuse ignorance- I am not black - how do you know if a business is black owned in the UK?

Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:36

EllaAtLarge · 05/08/2026 20:35

Excuse ignorance- I am not black - how do you know if a business is black owned in the UK?

Not at all

Word of mouth, social media and online articles is the best way - but we can never be too sure unfortunately.

OP posts:
ForPinkDuck · 05/08/2026 20:40

This is sick. I will spread the word. If you see any articles please post.

VointofPiew · 05/08/2026 20:57

kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:36

Not at all

Word of mouth, social media and online articles is the best way - but we can never be too sure unfortunately.

Show quote history

Would it be fair to say that most Black owned shops like this will have at least one Black employee on staff most of the time?

Original poster
kwikfitt · 05/08/2026 20:58

ForPinkDuck · 05/08/2026 20:40

This is sick. I will spread the word. If you see any articles please post.

Will do

I find that, even though the newspapers can report on clear violations of the law, so much of the abuse is not reported

A dedicated journalist could really do wonders here

OP posts: