Talking Carts 9: Braiding Hair 2.0

In February 2025, Consumer Reports published a first-of-its-kind investigation into synthetic braiding hair, which is widely marketed to and used by millions of Black women and girls. We tested 10 popular products, including Magic Fingers, Sassy Collection, Sensationnel, and Shake-N-Go, and found toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and lead, as well as carcinogens, in nearly every sample. That initial report prompted passionate reactions from consumers, more than 52,000 of whom signed CR’s petition calling on the Food and Drug Administration to take swift action to make sure these products are safe. 

In this episode, we look at the results of CR’s follow-up braiding hair testing, published in February 2026 and focused on products that are marketed as safer alternatives. Are they actually any safer? Hosts Tanya Christian and Brian Vines delve into that question with James E. Rogers, PhD, CR’s head of product safety testing, and chat about the impact of CR’s findings so far with CR Managing Editor Ginger Cowles.

For those not ready to pull the hair out of their head, the episode also deals out advice on how to mitigate the risks of hair braiding products, explores why the regulatory landscape for these products is so problematic, and explains where braiding hair falls on the threat matrix of heavy metal exposure.