Month: April 2025

Research Question:
How do societal expectations around haircare and “tamed” hair standards for women, especially Black women, influence environmental harm through product use?

My Idea:
For my Praxis project, I am exploring the connection between beauty standards, gender, race, and environmental degradation within the hair care product context. Beauty standards historically have required women to domesticate their hair, and for Black women specifically, this has meant straightening or smoothing natural curls to fit within Eurocentric standards of beauty. These norms have also been further reinforced by the beauty industry, which has encouraged using a broad array of hair care products involving chemicals such as silicones, sulfates, and parabens to enable women to obtain this “tamed” appearance. Nevertheless, extensive use of these products has an extremely potent environmental effect. Not only does this chemical substance cause pollution, but the over-packaging and promotional tactics of these products promote a non-sustainable consumption pattern. I aim to reveal the effect of these beauty standards on women’s body image, along with the environment. I also want to address how green or natural versions of typical products might impact women, particularly Black women, to make eco-friendly choices without experiencing the need to compromise beauty standards or needs.

My Plan:
I plan to research three major haircare brands that are popular among Black women, like SheaMoisture, Carol’s Daughter, and Mizani. I’ll look closely at the ingredients in their products to understand what chemicals are being used and what impact they have on the environment, particularly in terms of pollution and waste. I’ll also explore the sustainability of their packaging and the claims these brands make about their environmental practices. A key part of my project will involve investigating whether their products live up to their “eco-friendly” marketing or whether they are simply using greenwashing tactics to sell more products. Additionally, I’ll analyze how these brands market themselves to Black women and how they reinforce (or challenge) beauty ideals. This will involve reviewing product advertisements, social media campaigns, and customer feedback. I will also research alternative, more sustainable brands or DIY haircare solutions that focus on natural ingredients, offering women eco-friendly choices that don’t compromise beauty standards. Through this, I hope to examine whether the beauty industry is evolving to support both gendered beauty standards and environmental sustainability.

What I Hope to Achieve:
Through this project, I want to spark a conversation about the intersection of beauty, race, and the environment. Specifically, I hope to raise awareness about how the societal pressures for Black women to “tame” their hair contribute not only to personal insecurities but also to environmental harm. I plan to create a detailed report comparing the environmental impact of well-known haircare brands with more sustainable alternatives. This report will be paired with an infographic, which will provide a visual summary of my findings and offer easy-to-understand information on harmful chemicals, waste, and more sustainable options. My goal is to encourage women, particularly Black women, to rethink their beauty choices and make more informed decisions that align with both their beauty ideals and environmental values. I also hope to challenge the notion that women need to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards and promote the idea that beauty should be diverse, inclusive, and sustainable.

Why My Plan Will Be Effective:
This plan is effective because it addresses a unique intersection of environmental issues, race, and beauty standards. By focusing on popular beauty brands and comparing their claims to independent research, I aim to highlight the gap between marketing rhetoric and reality. Many consumers are unaware of the environmental impact their beauty routines have, and by providing accessible, visual tools like an infographic, I can make this information more digestible. The combination of research, analysis, and visual storytelling will make the findings compelling, while also providing women with alternative options for their haircare needs. Ultimately, my project will empower consumers, particularly Black women, to make better, eco-conscious choices without feeling pressured to conform to outdated beauty norms. It will also help shift the beauty industry toward more sustainable and inclusive practices, promoting both self-empowerment and environmental stewardship.

 

The readings emphasize a clear connection between the oppression of women and the destruction of nature, and it’s powerful to see how these issues are so deeply intertwined. Systems like patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism often exploit both people and the environment. The sad truth is that these structures don’t just harm the land; they also take a toll on the most vulnerable, especially women, creating a cycle of violence and inequality (Gebara, 96; Maathai, 2000).

What stands out across these texts is that women are often on the front lines of environmental struggles. They are the ones most affected by the degradation of natural resources, not just because of the direct loss of resources like water or firewood, but because these environmental issues impact their daily roles—whether it’s caring for their families or maintaining the community. When the environment is harmed, women bear the brunt of it. In many parts of the world, women are the primary caregivers, and so they are also the first to experience the consequences when the land they rely on is damaged (Maathai, 2000; Gebara, 101).

Additionally, these readings highlight how marginalized communities—often already struggling with poverty—face even more hardship when the environment deteriorates. The loss of resources is not only a material problem; it also deepens the cultural and social inequalities they face. These groups live in areas that are often neglected by society, and the degradation of their environment reflects that neglect. Women, especially in these communities, end up shouldering the emotional and practical burdens that come with this neglect (Correa, 2014).

I strongly agree with the readings’ argument that the material deprivations and cultural losses experienced by the marginalized are rooted in deeper, systemic issues. The harm caused by environmental degradation is not simply a result of poor governance or external neglect—it’s part of a broader system of power that reinforces inequality. The same systems that oppress people, like capitalism and patriarchy, are the ones responsible for environmental damage. These issues don’t exist in isolation. They’re deeply interconnected, and if we want to make a real change, we have to address both the environmental harm and the social injustices they cause (Gebara, 96).

Ultimately, the readings make it clear that environmental justice cannot be separated from social justice. The fight to protect the environment must go hand-in-hand with the fight for social equity. If we want to create real, lasting change, we can’t just focus on protecting nature without addressing the inequalities that make certain groups more vulnerable to environmental harm. Only by tackling both environmental and social issues together can we hope to make a meaningful difference (Gebara, 101).