What better way to spend Independence Day than shopping for products made in Jamaica ostensibly to pamper your hair and body?

Dubbed ‘a celebration of the very best locally manufactured natural and organic hair and skincare brands; the Emancipendence Marketplace hosted by Nettle & Moss, saw 12 exhibitors displaying their products. Attendees at the event — complete with traditional aromas of jerk chicken and even a jelly coconut vendor — were in for a treat.

Brands such as Eyl; Ettenio; Kumea’s Hair Perspective; Barnhill Organics; Irie Rock; Adzua; Naniki Naturals; Ital Blends; Asherlee Naturals Ltd; J Monique Naturals; Oxx Systems Ltd; and Bartleys All in Wood and Minx for hair accessories were given pride of place on the shelves of the award-winning Lady Musgrave beauty supply store.

The general sentiment of the patrons was that they were impressed with the hair and skin treatments on show.

Yanique Rodgers, who heard of the Emancipendence Marketplace via the Jamaica Observer, said she did not know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised.

“I am kind of obsessed with body scrubs and came here specifically to look for some, and I am pleased with all there is on offer,” Rodgers said.

Based on her job experience as a food research scientist at the Scientific Reserach Council, Rodgers was able to reveal that there was a lot of enterprise put into the products on show.

Quite a few of the exhibitors told Under The Dryer that most of the products started as personal remedies for skin dryness, eczema, acne and hair damage, loss or dryness.

For one exhibitor, Eyl, the expo was an avenue not only to reach the public, but also the manufacturers of the natural products.

“A lot of these products use castor oil as a base and we can be a direct supplier,” said Audrey Wilson, director of Wilpar Limited, manufacturers of Eyl Castor Oil. Her company has been producing the potent oil for 12 years.

The oil nut tree, from which the fruits are obtained to press or boil into the finished product, she said, has become an income generator for many small (and older) farmers.

The income-generating power, for small farmers, in these made-in-Jamaica brands, was also reflected in the Ital Blends line, which utilises goat’s milk in the formulation of soaps, lotions, masks, scrubs and even lip balms.

Oils, cremes and butters were not the only creations on display. Emancipendence Marketplace also highlighted handcrafted hair accessories.

Seventeen-year-old Shanice Sinclair showcased her year-old company’s headbands. The teen said she does all the designing, plaiting and flowering herself, with durable products.

Jamaican resources were also on display. Made from Jamaican woods, Woogies — stylish hair accessories — were quite the rage at the expo.

Aisha Morgan, managing director of Nettle & Moss, said the day’s activities provided insight into the fabulous and quality products being made by Jamaicans in Jamaica.

“We think it has been a pretty good event. Our vendors seem to be very happy… getting the love and support from everybody who comes in,” Morgan said.

It’s no idle boast! Hair is a billion-dollar industry and closer attention needs to be paid to the potential of locally made hair products as well as the skill of our hairdressers. Why not position Jamaica as a beauty destination and market to the film and fashion sectors? Our local hair and skin products have the potential to make millions in export dollars. Kudos to Aisha Morgan of Nettle & Moss for focusing us on this, the 52nd birthday of our beloved nation.