New Documentary Reveals that ‘Brazilian Hair Extensions’ are Often a Marketing Hoax

A new documentary has just been released that picks up where Chris Rock’s 2009 Good Hair left off. LA-based salon owner and founder of Just Extensions Hair Bar, Riqua Hailes embarked upon a 6 week global journey to uncover the hidden truths of the bustling $9 billion hair extension industry. From the website:

Frustrated with vendors selling MEDIOCRE hair DISGUISED AS QUALITY , Hailes DECIDED to travel to the source to find the best. DURING HER SEARCH RIQUA found MUCH more than “Just Extensions.” MEETING villagers who cut THEN sold their hair FOR SURVIVAL, women and children who sacrificed their hair for religious beliefs and vendors who unapologetically manipulated the system for financial gain IMPACTED RIQUA PROFOUNDLY.

Hailes goes past the surface in the Just Extensions documentary to really explore the lives that are affected in supplying hair extensions. In an interview with Refinery29, Hailes recalls one girl who only received $7.50 USD in exchange for her waist length hair.

Hailes also uncovers the myth of “Brazilian hair extensions” as she encounters workers from a Chinese factory dump fallen hair into germicide to soak. These same strands are mixed with synthetic fibers and marketed as Brazilian or Indian hair. Meanwhile in Brazil, extensions are sometimes made from horse tails.

Watch the trailer below:

The documentary is now available on iTunes.

Share your thoughts! Will you be watching?