GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Hair Industry Statistics

Diversity in hair industry boosts market, yet underrepresentation persists significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

70% of Black women report difficulty finding hair care products suited to their hair type

Statistic 2

Hair salons predominantly owned by non-Black professionals are less likely to stock diverse hair products

Statistic 3

78% of Black women feel that the hair industry does not adequately serve their needs

Statistic 4

The prevalence of hair discrimination claims in employment increased by 30% between 2019 and 2021

Statistic 5

44% of Black consumers have experienced or witnessed hair-based discrimination

Statistic 6

63% of Black women feel they do not have access to the same beauty resources as other demographics

Statistic 7

50% of Black women report they have encountered product or service discrimination related to their hair in retail or salons

Statistic 8

78% of hair industry professionals recognize the importance of diversity training, but only 30% have received comprehensive education on the topic

Statistic 9

42% of Black women have avoided certain salons due to fear of discrimination or lack of expertise

Statistic 10

72% of Black women report that their hair is misunderstood or misrepresented in mainstream media

Statistic 11

85% of brands acknowledge the importance of diversity but only 28% have implemented comprehensive diversity policies

Statistic 12

48% of women of color have experienced rejection or bias when seeking beauty products that cater to textured hair

Statistic 13

52% of consumers say that they are more loyal to brands that incorporate diversity in their branding

Statistic 14

The global hair care market is expected to reach $102.4 billion by 2023, with increasing demand for ethnic hair products

Statistic 15

Products catering specifically to textured hair account for only 10% of total hair care products sold worldwide

Statistic 16

About 80% of Black women report using multiple hair care brands to find suitable products

Statistic 17

82% of Black consumers say they are more likely to purchase from brands that recognize their cultural hair needs

Statistic 18

The average Black woman spends approximately $7,000 annually on hair care products

Statistic 19

44% of beauty products marketed specifically for textured hair are sold online rather than in retail stores

Statistic 20

Only 2.3% of beauty industry executives are Black women

Statistic 21

55% of consumers prefer buying from brands that showcase diversity in their advertising

Statistic 22

61% of Black consumers say they are more likely to support brands that feature diversity and inclusion initiatives

Statistic 23

45% of Black women report feeling underrepresented in mainstream beauty advertising

Statistic 24

Less than 10% of products in mainstream stores are tailored for textured hair

Statistic 25

68% of women aged 18-35 express a desire for more diversity in beauty products and advertising

Statistic 26

Only 3% of beauty industry patents are held by women of color

Statistic 27

41% of beauty brands lack inclusive marketing campaigns that represent diverse hair textures

Statistic 28

65% of consumers believe that the beauty industry should do more to embrace diversity

Statistic 29

Despite growth, ethnic hair care brands only comprise 13% of the total hair care market share

Statistic 30

55% of women of color say they are cautious about the language used in beauty advertising to avoid stereotyping

Statistic 31

60% of consumers agree that representation in beauty advertising influences their perception of brand authenticity

Statistic 32

38% of beauty brands have no Black or diverse representation in their leadership teams

Statistic 33

45% of Black women feel their hair needs are ignored or misrepresented by mainstream beauty brands

Statistic 34

58% of consumers believe that increasing diversity in the beauty industry can open up new market opportunities

Statistic 35

80% of women of color support brands that actively promote diversity and inclusivity

Statistic 36

53% of salon owners say they want more diversity training to better serve clients of different ethnicities

Statistic 37

Only 15% of hair care advertisements feature models with textured hair

Statistic 38

The number of beauty brands owned by people of color increased by 34% from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 39

67% of consumers agree that diversity and inclusion should be a priority in global beauty standards

Statistic 40

69% of Black women feel that their hair is often underrepresented or stereotyped in advertising

Statistic 41

30% of haircare formulations still lack consideration for textured and ethnic hair needs

Statistic 42

81% of consumers feel that brands that promote diversity are more trustworthy

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Key Highlights

70% of Black women report difficulty finding hair care products suited to their hair type
Only 2.3% of beauty industry executives are Black women
55% of consumers prefer buying from brands that showcase diversity in their advertising
61% of Black consumers say they are more likely to support brands that feature diversity and inclusion initiatives
The global hair care market is expected to reach $102.4 billion by 2023, with increasing demand for ethnic hair products
45% of Black women report feeling underrepresented in mainstream beauty advertising
Less than 10% of products in mainstream stores are tailored for textured hair
Hair salons predominantly owned by non-Black professionals are less likely to stock diverse hair products
78% of Black women feel that the hair industry does not adequately serve their needs
68% of women aged 18-35 express a desire for more diversity in beauty products and advertising
The prevalence of hair discrimination claims in employment increased by 30% between 2019 and 2021
44% of Black consumers have experienced or witnessed hair-based discrimination
Products catering specifically to textured hair account for only 10% of total hair care products sold worldwide

Despite a booming $102.4 billion global hair care market, Black women and women of color remain vastly underrepresented and underserved, highlighting a critical need for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion in the hair industry.

Access, Inclusivity, and Discrimination Challenges

70% of Black women report difficulty finding hair care products suited to their hair type
Hair salons predominantly owned by non-Black professionals are less likely to stock diverse hair products
78% of Black women feel that the hair industry does not adequately serve their needs
The prevalence of hair discrimination claims in employment increased by 30% between 2019 and 2021
44% of Black consumers have experienced or witnessed hair-based discrimination
63% of Black women feel they do not have access to the same beauty resources as other demographics
50% of Black women report they have encountered product or service discrimination related to their hair in retail or salons
78% of hair industry professionals recognize the importance of diversity training, but only 30% have received comprehensive education on the topic
42% of Black women have avoided certain salons due to fear of discrimination or lack of expertise
72% of Black women report that their hair is misunderstood or misrepresented in mainstream media
85% of brands acknowledge the importance of diversity but only 28% have implemented comprehensive diversity policies
48% of women of color have experienced rejection or bias when seeking beauty products that cater to textured hair

Access, Inclusivity, and Discrimination Challenges Interpretation

Despite widespread acknowledgment of diversity's importance, a staggering disconnect persists as over 70% of Black women struggle to find suitable hair care options, highlighting that increased awareness has yet to translate into equitable access and representation across the hair industry.

Brand Loyalty, Marketing Strategies, and Consumer Advocacy

52% of consumers say that they are more loyal to brands that incorporate diversity in their branding

Brand Loyalty, Marketing Strategies, and Consumer Advocacy Interpretation

With over half of consumers showing loyalty to brands that celebrate diversity, the hair industry’s success now hinges on whether it embraces inclusivity or risks losing its most loyal customers to more representative competitors.

Market Growth and Consumer Preferences

The global hair care market is expected to reach $102.4 billion by 2023, with increasing demand for ethnic hair products
Products catering specifically to textured hair account for only 10% of total hair care products sold worldwide
About 80% of Black women report using multiple hair care brands to find suitable products
82% of Black consumers say they are more likely to purchase from brands that recognize their cultural hair needs
The average Black woman spends approximately $7,000 annually on hair care products
44% of beauty products marketed specifically for textured hair are sold online rather than in retail stores

Market Growth and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

Despite the booming $102.4 billion global hair care industry and a clear consumer demand for textured hair products, the fact that only 10% of products cater specifically to this demographic highlights a significant gap — with Black women, often spending thousands annually and favoring culturally inclusive brands, exhibiting both loyalty and a pressing need for industry-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Representation and Diversity in the Industry

Only 2.3% of beauty industry executives are Black women
55% of consumers prefer buying from brands that showcase diversity in their advertising
61% of Black consumers say they are more likely to support brands that feature diversity and inclusion initiatives
45% of Black women report feeling underrepresented in mainstream beauty advertising
Less than 10% of products in mainstream stores are tailored for textured hair
68% of women aged 18-35 express a desire for more diversity in beauty products and advertising
Only 3% of beauty industry patents are held by women of color
41% of beauty brands lack inclusive marketing campaigns that represent diverse hair textures
65% of consumers believe that the beauty industry should do more to embrace diversity
Despite growth, ethnic hair care brands only comprise 13% of the total hair care market share
55% of women of color say they are cautious about the language used in beauty advertising to avoid stereotyping
60% of consumers agree that representation in beauty advertising influences their perception of brand authenticity
38% of beauty brands have no Black or diverse representation in their leadership teams
45% of Black women feel their hair needs are ignored or misrepresented by mainstream beauty brands
58% of consumers believe that increasing diversity in the beauty industry can open up new market opportunities
80% of women of color support brands that actively promote diversity and inclusivity
53% of salon owners say they want more diversity training to better serve clients of different ethnicities
Only 15% of hair care advertisements feature models with textured hair
The number of beauty brands owned by people of color increased by 34% from 2018 to 2022
67% of consumers agree that diversity and inclusion should be a priority in global beauty standards
69% of Black women feel that their hair is often underrepresented or stereotyped in advertising
30% of haircare formulations still lack consideration for textured and ethnic hair needs
81% of consumers feel that brands that promote diversity are more trustworthy

Representation and Diversity in the Industry Interpretation

Despite a growing recognition that diversity in beauty fuels trust and market growth, the beauty industry's stark underrepresentation—only 2.3% of executives are Black women, and less than 10% of products are tailored for textured hair—reveals that mainstream standards often overlook the richness of human diversity, making inclusive innovation not just a moral imperative but a lucrative opportunity for those willing to truly embrace it.