Ga. stylists feel impact of Trump tariffs on Black hair industry

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Trump istration’s tariffs on imported goods are driving up prices for a number of products in the Black hair industry and metro Atlanta stylists are feeling the impacts.

Dajiah Blackshear is a longtime natural hairstylist specializing in hair loss, extensions, sew-ins and quick weaves in the Atlanta area.

“I’ve been hearing that tariff buzzword for a minute and have been kind of waiting to see how it would impact me personally,” she said.

Unfortunately in the last few weeks, the owner of Hairfreak Beauty Studio has noticed the prices of hair and other products increase. Blackshear shared a recent experience of purchasing hair for a client.

“This particular three pack of hair might have been maybe around $120 for this particular pack of hair,” she said. “They told me it was going to be like $250 to $260, which is a humongous difference for this kind of hair.”

Curtis Morgan, known as Mr. Makeuover, said he has experienced similar impacts. He specializes in wig-making, so the tariffs affected his business early on.

“Because I’m a wig maker and I do extensions ... a lot of my extensions are overseas China, Brazil,” Morgan said.

Morgan told Atlanta News First his vendor said the fee for mailing and distribution would double.

“It used to be starting at like $15, $20, then it went to $50, now it’s at like $70,” he said. “So we have to buy in bulk if we’re getting a large amount.”

The tariffs on these products not only impact stylists and braiders, but also the clients.

“Where as I used to have services where I include hair, I’m now going to have to have them go get their own hair,” Blackshear said, about possible changes.

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