A New Standard: How Autumn Yarbrough is Redefining Black Hair Care

In the world of hair care, Autumn Yarbrough is a name synonymous with innovation, legacy, and a commitment to redefining standards. As the third generation in the hair care industry, Yarbrough’s journey has been shaped by her family’s legacy and a deep understanding of the history of Black hair care. Yarbrough’s family has a deep-rooted history in the hair care industry, starting with her grandfather, Comer Cottrell Jr., who revolutionized the industry by making the Jheri curl accessible to the Black community through his brand, Pro-Line, in the 1970s. His groundbreaking work was highlighted in the recent Netflix documentary “The Black Beauty Effect”. Yarbrough points out the limited access to safe hair care products in the 1960s and 70s, leading to the use of alternative techniques and byproducts, such as bank grease from the 1800s. “It was made for us but we didn’t have the access or the value of the cost, so he was able to provide that access,” she shares of her grandfather’s Pro-Line. Continuing the legacy, Yarbrough’s mother, Renee Cottrell Brown, created the children’s haircare line Just For Me. This legacy of breaking barriers and providing access to products tailored for Black hair continues to inspire Yarbrough...