The saying, “Beauty knows no bounds,” proves to be true with the latest trend of beauty tourism. For years, people have been traveling across city and state lines, as well as abroad, to receive more affordable cosmetic procedures, including haircare.
Whether it be for box braids , locs, hair transplants, etc, women are going to great lengths (and distances) for beauty. These destination hairstyles represent the legacy and creativity of Black culture, so it’s no surprise that consumers want the very best.
According to Mindbody’s 2024 Wellness Index, a quarter of consumers are willing to travel a significant distance for a specific beauty or grooming treatment. The data also shows a staggering 43% categorizing facials and hair services as a necessity.
Hairstyles Black Women Are Loving
Despite the beauty industry not always catering to Black women (think anti-Black messaging like “straight hair is better”), they are still top beauty consumers. Black women spend $7.5 million a year on beauty and salon products and services. On average, they visit a salon more than twice a month.
Today, Black women are willing to travel and go to great lengths to get the best of natural hairstyles . They will literally go on vacation to get the best of the best haircare and styling. Popular hairstyles include sisterlocks, baldie braids, bora bora braids, locs, knotless braids, or box braids.
The resurgence of the natural hair movement (which first began in the 1960s) challenged the idea that “straight hair is good hair” and empowered Black women to embrace their curls, kinks, and braided crowns. Beauty tourism has encouraged Black women to even further love African hairstyles. Hairstyles like cornrows and box braids pay homage to and celebrate African history and influence. They can be accessorized with cowrie shells, jewels, and beads.
Where Consumers Are Traveling
There seems to be no limit on where women are willing to travel for the best hairstyling. Some Black Americans are crossing states lines, while others are traveling around the globe. A few countries Black women have traveled to for the ultimate beauty experience include Colombia, Ghana, France, and Thailand.
Why Travel for Beauty?
Black women travel for beauty for various reasons — better quality of work, shorter waiting periods, the lure of visiting new places and, perhaps most of all, cheaper costs.
In hair destinations outside of the U.S., the cost of braids are a huge travel incentive, as more intricate braids are often cheaper. Hairstylists also might have more experience with African-inspired styles and work faster on hair because of their expertise. The quality of the styling is hard to beat!
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