Source: Amanda Edwards / Getty
Mielle Organics CEO Monique Rodriguez has addressed claims that her brand’s Rosemary & Mint line causes hair loss after several rumors about it surfaced on TikTok. Not only that, but Mielle Organics released an official statement denying being involved in active litigation regarding product safety and potentially cancer-causing ingredients.
On Sept. 8, Rodriguez took to Instagram to clarify the situation after a TikTok user named Danesha Mo’Nék and several other netizens claimed that they experienced hair loss and scalp irritation from popular Mielle products like the Rosemary & Mint Hair Strengthening Conditioner and the brand’s hair growth oil.
“From the very beginning, authenticity and transparency has been at the very core of what I do,” Rodriguez, who sold Mielle to major consumer goods corporation Procter & Gamble in 2023, explained in a video shared Sunday.
Several TikTokers Went Viral Speaking About Mielle Organics’ Products
TikToker Danesha Mo’Nék alleged her hair fell out after using the brand’s shampoo, conditioner, and hair growth oil.
A viral negative review of Mielle by TikTok influencer Danesha Mo’Nék was posted on Sept 1. The Texas-based internet personality initially bought the brand’s Rosemary & Mint Hair Strengthening Conditioner, shampoo, and growth oil due to numerous glowing reviews from celebrities. However, after using the products for several months, she claimed that her hair began to fall out in clumps.
“Every time I wash my hair every week, this is it. I’m fittin’ to throw this sh*t in the garbage so f****** fast, Danesha said before holding up the brand’s conditioner and a wad of her broken-off hair toward the camera.
“Maybe it’s because I have Eczema and a very sensitive scalp….B**** Look at my f******* hair! I look like a f******* toddler.”
@daneshamonek My hair aint NEVERRRRRR it only started doung this when I began to yse this product… yeah im going back to sulfer8 products!!!
In a follow-up video, Danesha also alleged that her scalp was “on fire” and inflamed, which spawned similar allegations from women online.
“I thought it was me. My hair was coming out by the handfuls on wash day while using Mielle. It all makes sense now. Thanks for posting this video,” wrote one user.
Another person on TikTok penned;
“I have a sensitive scalp as well but that oil had my scalp itching so bad I didn’t know what to do. I even tried to use the sensitive scalp shampoo and conditioner and it made it worse.”
@daneshamonek Mielle can count their days👀😑😐#fyp #hairfallingoutinclumps #hairfallingout #foryou
Monique Rodriguez Says “Nothing Has Changed” About Mielle’s Formula Since Procter & Gamble’s Acquisition
Some netizens wondered whether Mielle’s formula had changed since Procter & Gamble’s acquisition. However, Rodriguez put those concerns to rest in her video shared on Sunday.
Source: Rachel Murray / Getty
The 39-year-old CEO reassured fans that nothing had changed with the brand’s formula since the start of the partnership, which allowed her to take Mielle to new heights as a “global beauty brand.” Rodriguez encouraged fans to check the labels on Mielle products, emphasizing that the formula was consistent from its inception. Additionally, she proudly affirmed that her products were both “safe and effective.”
The beauty entrepreneur added;
“I want to be crystal clear. My involvement in Mielle, still as the CEO, is a personal choice. I am deeply committed to staying actively involved in every aspect of the brand. From the product development, I’m still involved. To the formation, to the packing, to the design… I am still involved.”
In the comments section, many fans applauded Rodriguez for addressing the allegations.
Some argued that it was unfair for Danesha and other critics to post negative reviews without providing a complete picture, such as potential factors contributing to their hair loss, like over-styling or underlying health issues.
“These types of allegations always seem weird to me because is the person who’s making them only using Miele products? Are they eating differently, styling their hair tightly, AGING?? So many factors go into hair loss. It’s weird to blame a brand with no definition proof or testing,” wrote a user.
Another fan penned;
“I use her products faithfully, and my hair is healthy and thriving, and my curls are popping. One thing our people will for sure do is build you up, and as soon as they feel you’re too successful, they will knock you back down.”
Despite this, some critics faulted Rodriguez’s video for lacking “empathy” and accountability.
“I don’t care what that label says. My hair fell out in clumps while I used that oil and stopped once I stopped using it,” wrote one user.
Another naysayer commented;
“My hair definitely fell out and so did my daughters. I stopped using her line before the controversy so I do believe there is a quality issue.”
Listen to Rodriguez’s full response below.
Mielle Organics has since followed up with a statement denying that they’re facing litigation for not disclosing that their products contain “cancer-causing” chemicals.
Hit the flip for that.
Over the weekend several tweets about Mielle Organics went viral including one that alleged that the brand violated “Prop 65” by not disclosing that “they have a cancer-causing chemical in their product.”
Not the lady that owned mielle organics (hair products) being sued for violating prop 65 and not disclosing they have a cancer causing chemical in their product. A lot of ppl been using those products and their hair is falling out 🥴 if you use any of their products STOP.
— Odessa✨🦂 (@missodessa) September 6, 2024
They went from being black owned to being owned my Procter and gamble who likely also changed the product formulas. I remember always seeing their rosemary oil in TikTok’s 🥴
— Odessa✨🦂 (@missodessa) September 6, 2024
The Twitter user cited TikToker @LauraBeautyCoach as proof.
@LauraBeautyCoach alleged that Mielle Organics was given legal notice on May 24, 2024, of a 60-day intent to sue by attorneys representing Azucena Calleja Garcia, Lisette Calleja, Ana Line Beade, Eric Cisneros and Gabriela Garcia.
“We present Initiative For Safe Cosmetics,” read a portion of the suit uploaded by the beauty coach.
It goes on to say that a chemical named Diethanolamine is “consistent with types of harm that may potentially result from exposure.”
“The routes of exposure for the violations include inhalation by consumers. These exposures occur through the reasonably forseeable use of the products. The sales of this product have been occurring since at least May 7,2024 and are continuing to this day and will continue to occur as the product subject to this notice is sold to and used by consumers.”
@laura_beautycoach This is HUGEEEEEE!!!! Next we need all victims to join my Beauty Box Discord so we can get this class action suit going asap!!! I think we might need a series for this one so let’s just call this my disclaimer video. Cancel Culture it’s GO TIME!!! #mielleviolation #miellelawsuit #mielleorganics #miellestrengtheningshampoo #cancelculture #hairloss #diethanolamine
♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound
With that, the poster of the content encouraged her followers who were “victims” of the brand to speak out.
“This is HUGEEEEEE!!!! Next we need all victims to join my Beauty Box Discord so we can get this class action suit going asap!!” @LauraBeautyCoach captioned a video. “I think we might need a series for this one so let’s just call this my disclaimer video. Cancel Culture it’s GO TIME!!! #mielleviolation #miellelawsuit #mielleorganics #miellestrengtheningshampoo #cancelculture #hairloss #diethanolamine
Mielle Organics Denes Facing Pending Litigation, Says Its Products Are Safe
According to Mielle Organics, however, the brand is not currently facing any pending litigation and remains “committed to uplifting the Black community by broadening access to textured hair products and through its community programs.”
In a series of slides, the brand went into more detail noting that its products are safe for use.
“Internal and third-party independent labs undergo rigorous and frequent testing to ensure product safety and efficacy,” read one of the slides in an Instagram carousel. “We can confirm that there have been no formula changes to any Mielle products since joining P&G in March 2023.
The brand also noted that its Rosemary Mint Oil and Shampoo have been” dermatologically tested for skin safety and no dications of irritation or sensitization were found” before addressing the social media allegations about a pending lawsuit.
“Recently there have been inaccurate statements on social media about product safety,” wrote Mielle Organics. “To clarify, no lawsuit has been filed against Mielle and we are not involved in any active litigation.”
Mielle’s statement ended with a note encouraging consumers to contact their doctors if they’re facing hair loss.
What do YOU think about Mielle Organics’ response to the controversy?