Sold by Shaw’s startup, The Canerow Company, the extensions are marketed for Black women and offer a safer and greener alternative to synthetic hair. A recent Consumer Reports investigation found that the 10 most popular synthetic braiding products contained carcinogens.
The idea was born out of Shaw’s experience with being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. “Cancer is too familiar, too many of us, humans, women and Black women are dealing with this, and because of the hair loss I had, it really made me consider what I’m putting in my body and what I’m putting on my body,” Shaw told The Voice. “When my hair grew back, I didn’t want to put anything toxic or problematic on my hair. I knew that the hair I was using before was plastic-based and I didn’t like that, so I was looking at alternatives.”
Pre-orders began in August.