Cardi B is known for her candidness, and her recent discussion of a DIY hair remedy has resonated with fans. While promoting her new haircare line, Grow-Good Beauty, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she shared that applying raw garlic to her hair was one of her biggest beauty mistakes. The result was a persistent odour, which she described as similar to a “pasta bowl” or “chicken Caesar salad,” lasting for six months whenever she perspired.
The Bronx-born artist used the interview to highlight common mistakes in hair care, while introducing her new line of clean, science-based products developed through years of personal experimentation.
During the interview, Cardi described her experience with various DIY hair treatments. While she found some success with rice water and onion water, using raw garlic proved problematic. “I put garlic, but I put it too raw on my hair,” she explained. “For six months straight, every time I sweat, I smell like a pasta bowl… No garlic, I will never do that again. It didn’t work out.
The odour was so strong that Cardi compared it to constantly smelling like an Italian restaurant. The treatment did not improve her hair’s growth or strength and resulted in a persistent odour that washing could not remove. This serves as a reminder that not all popular natural remedies are suitable for hair care. Raw garlic contains sulphur compounds that can irritate the scalp and remain in hair follicles, causing a lasting odour.
Cardi B’s Inspiring Natural Hair Journey
This unsuccessful garlic experiment contrasts with Cardi’s successful natural hair journey. Previously wearing shoulder-length curls, she has grown her hair to waist length through discipline, research, and family traditions. In February 2025, she shared a behind-the-scenes look at Brooklyn’s Coiffed 220 salon, highlighting her hair care routine, including braid removal, her first wash in three months, homemade oils for hydration, and a red silk press that emphasised her hair’s healthy texture.
Photo: Cardi B/Instagram Cardi has openly discussed her hair challenges. Early in her career, frequent colouring, heat styling, and travel caused significant damage. Although pregnancy temporarily improved her hair growth, maintaining healthy hair required consistent care. She has shared photos of her shorter, naturally curly hair and addressed misconceptions about her mixed Dominican and Trinidadian heritage, emphasising, “There’s no such thing as bad hair,” and celebrating her progress.
Her dedication is evident. “Ya seen my hair journey since 2014,” she’s posted. “My hair didn’t pass my shoulder. With discipline, it’s like this today.” She regularly used avocado masks, coconut oil, aloe vera, banana, and argan oil, testing these treatments on herself and her daughter, Kulture.
Enter Grow-Good Beauty: Cardi’s Dream Haircare Line
These experiences led to the creation of Grow-Good Beauty, Cardi B’s first haircare brand, developed over three years in partnership with Revolve Group. The line launches on April 15, 2026, exclusively at Growgood.beauty and TikTok Shop, with presales selling out in under 90 minutes. Priced between $14.99 and $19.99, the vegan, clean line features a proprietary Fiberlace™ plant-derived complex designed to strengthen hair fibres, repair damage, enhance shine, and support growth for all hair types, including Afro-Latina hair.
Photo: IG/growgoodbeauty The collection includes:
- Wash Cycle and Wash Cycle+ shampoos (gentle repair for all hair types and extra repair for thirsty strands)
- Soft Serve and Soft Serve+ conditioners (for softness and deep hydration)
- Get Rich deep treatment mask, inspired by Cardi’s homemade avocado, coconut, banana, and aloe masks
- Everything Serum, a multi-tasking product that protects against heat and humidity, seals split ends, and adds shine
“I made Grow-Good because I really put the work in on my hair,” Cardi shared. “I was doing my own masks in my kitchen, using what I already knew from my family’s recipes and what I learned from my own research. I really took my time to get my hair looking healthy again after years of damage. And guess what? It worked. Now I wanna share my hair journey with everybody.”
The line is designed to educate consumers about textured hair and provide salon-quality results at home, eliminating the need for risky DIY treatments.
Why This Matters for Your Hair Routine
Cardi’s garlic experience is humorous in hindsight, but it underscores an important point: not every natural ingredient is safe or effective when used raw. Although garlic contains allicin, which is sometimes promoted for circulation, direct application can cause scalp irritation, dryness, and persistent odour. It is best to use proven, gentle ingredients and consult professionals for hair growth concerns.
Cardi B’s transformation demonstrates that patience, consistency, and effective formulations are key to healthy hair. Whether you are addressing postpartum shedding, heat damage, or seeking longer hair, her journey is encouraging and is now supported by her own product line.
To learn more, mark your calendar for April 15 and follow @growgoodbeauty for updates. In the meantime, avoid raw garlic and consider rice water or a professionally formulated mask. Your hair and your sense of smell will benefit.
Photo: IG/FallonTonight
