Hair Evolution

In April of this year, I celebrated three years since traveling to New York City to train at Devachan Salon. I can't estimate how many curly heads I've worked on since then, but I can say that every one has been unique and a gift.

As I've grown as a stylist I've also worked to keep rooted in what inspires me to do hair, beyond the creative outlet. Helping my clients to feel like and BE their authentic selves is absolutely paramount to my work. When I talk to clients about my background in feminism and social justice and how it plays into hair, they all get it. This is not some abstract concept that you have to deconstruct piece by piece to understand. Our hair is part of who we are, and- like it or not- it is a signifier of many things about us. Most of us desire to have our outside be a reflection of our inner self in the day-to-day, even if it's an ever-evolving and revolving self.

This leads into why I also LOVE working on clients who identify as genderqueer, trans, butch, femme, andro, or anything above and beyond a dualistic gender code. It's a feeling that a lot of curly clients can relate to-- walking into a salon and having the stylist judge you, judging your hair, your appearance, your voice, your clothing. I pledge every day to make my chair a safe and welcoming space. Every client is entitled the full realization of her/his authentic self, no exceptions.

I'm writing this particular post partly because it is Pride month (and I'm further inspired) and partly because it simply needs to be said: Your hair is your right. Whether curly, straight, wavy, mixed, textured, short, long, avant-garde, classic, professional, casual, butch, femme, genderqueer, whatnot-- your hair is YOUR RIGHT.

Enjoy it and celebrate it. :)