Building Community Matters

As summer is in full swing, we are excited to bring you the best products, insights, and trends to help your business thrive in this ever-evolving beauty and hair industry. OTC Beauty magazine exists because of hardworking, dedicated store owners and managers like you.

We are excited to re-introduce our “Community Corner” on page 86. Please leave your feedback and experiences so we can improve future editions.

We also truly understand the unique challenges that can arise in entrepreneurship and trying to stay ahead of the game regarding your customer’s needs and desires. The multicultural hair and beauty spaces constantly shift, and trends show a passion for self-expression, representation, and empowerment. Some of the themes are prevalent. It is crucial to adapt to these changes to stay successful.

Here are some key trends to keep in mind that highlight the evolving hair and beauty landscape:

• Embracing Natural Hair: Many people choose to celebrate their natural hair and break free from societal norms and expectations.

• Expansion of Product Offerings: The industry has witnessed an expansion of products specifically designed for textures, including coils, curls, and kinks, and cosmetic lines that offer a broader range of shades for more skin tones.

• Influence of Online Communities: Online communities with influencers, vloggers, and content creators significantly shape the African American hair and beauty industry.

• Push for Inclusivity and Representation: Consumers advocate for increased diversity in commercials, Ad campaigns, and industry leadership.

• Focus on Wellness: Consumers seek products and brands that prioritize or have product offerings with natural and organic ingredients. This reflects a broader shift towards a more conscious and mindful lifestyle.

In this issue, you will find “Beauty Insights: How To Plan A Budget Friendly Focus Group” on page 10, designed to help you connect with your target audience. We showcase the highlights from the 2023 Jinny Sales meeting on page 35 and ways for digital content marketing to work for you in “Seven Realities for Video in The 21st Century” on page 18.

We are committed to supporting your journey to success, and we hope you find it insightful, informative, and inspiring.

Allyson Leak EDITOR

BY ALLYSON LEAK