The Recession-Era Beauty Boom: How the Jheri Curl Kit Conquered a Market
2025-07-16
During the 1980s recession, the Pro-Line Curly Kit, a DIY at-home Jheri curl kit, became a sensation. Priced at just $8, it offered a salon-quality wet-look curl style previously costing hundreds, transforming the Black haircare market. Created by Comer Cottrell, the kit's success demonstrated the demand for affordable, accessible beauty products during economic downturns. Though the Jheri curl’s popularity eventually faded, its impact on the industry and its lasting cultural relevance remain significant, showcasing how economic hardship can fuel unexpected market disruptions and innovations.