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![Discover the Art of Hair Cutting with Amy Elaine Ho](https://live-essnc.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/08/1920x1080-2-1920x1080.jpg)
Amy Elaine Ho is a veteran of the hair industry. With nearly 20 years in the business, Ho knows the ins and outs of becoming a sharp stylist who can provide transformational haircuts to her clientele.
After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, from Hawaii in 2003, Ho enrolled in hair school and discovered her passion for haircutting.
“Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures and is very diverse so being from there has helped me be able to connect with all different clients and have a deep appreciation for all hair types,” Ho said. “I also have the “Aloha spirit” instilled in me, which translates into my practice by creating a welcoming and relaxed environment for my clients, making them feel comfortable and valued.”
Regular cuts are pivotal to maintaining healthy hair because split ends have the potential to split up the hair shaft, causing breakage and thinning. People often avoid haircuts to preserve length, even when the hair is visibly damaged. However, Ho believes haircuts aren’t supposed to be scary if a proper consultation is done with the right stylist—they’re supposed to be a liberating experience to look forward to.
Students headed back to school and searching for inspiration for their back-to-school hairstyle should consider transforming their haircuts to let go of old energy and enter the school year with a new look.
Amy Elaine Ho spoke with NaturallyCurly about haircut transformations, back-to-school hair routines, and haircut mishaps. Here’s what she had to say:
How did you choose haircutting as your specialty?
I really connected with haircutting when I saw how transformational a haircut can make someone look and feel. I also loved the artistic approach to it. I became obsessed and started assisting at hair shows with a hair-cutting company called RUSK. At that time, their education was superior and mind-blowing.
I worked very hard to prove myself, and it was game over once I was finally invited to training. I started educating as a platform artist and traveling around the country. I was even fortunate enough to teach in London and New Zealand. Haircutting has been my passion ever since. I educated them for over ten years.
What is the connection between our hair and our energy?
In some cultures, hair is thought to hold energy or be a conduit for spiritual connection. I am Asian, so we always get a good haircut prior to the new year to bring in fresh energy and cut off dead energy. Even if some don’t connect with this, I think in the beauty industry, “energy” might refer to the vibe or aura that a person’s hairstyle projects.
Now that school is back in session, how should parents handle situations where their tween or teen is ready to cut their hair?
Image Source: @hairbyamyelaine
As a parent of a tween boy, I always try to convince him to cut his hair. He would love to wear it way longer than it should be. But for parents who have their tweens or teens asking for a haircut, I would say to find the right stylist and have their kid go through pictures to be clear on what they want. Hair grows, so if they want to cut their hair, let them express themselves!
What are some quick back-to-school hairstyle suggestions for tweens and teens?
Bobs are really in, and I love the ’90s looks that are back in—especially since that was my era! For teens with shorter hair, little braids are cute, or even soft crimped looks are in.
Can you advise people who have a haircut mishap right before school starts?
If there is ever a bad experience with getting a haircut mishap, especially before school starts, I’d recommend going back to the stylist to fix it. If that’s not possible, I would say to find a way to style your hair until it can grow out. I know it seems easy to say, but when you’re a teen and something like a bad haircut happens, it can feel devastating. But again, it’s all about finding the right person for you to connect with and communicate clearly.
How can we expand hair-cutting education to be more inclusive to people with curly and kinky hair?
Finding the right hair-cutting education is like finding the right stylist. I am a firm believer in focusing on your forte. If someone inquires about cutting their hair and mentions that they have extremely curly hair that they wear naturally, I may not be the right stylist for them only because I want them to have an amazing experience with someone who cuts curly hair on a regular basis.
When seeking education, I think going to a class by my friend Leysa Carrillo, whose main focus is education for curly hair, would be ideal. Seeking education curated to what you want to learn is vital, and with so much out there and social media, it’s easier to find.
How often should people get haircuts?
I normally have my shorter-haired clients come in every 4-6 weeks to maintain their shape. For my longer-haired clients, I recommend 6-8 weeks, depending on the hair’s health if their hair is pretty healthy and they like it long, sometimes even 12 weeks, but no longer than that.
How does a hair care routine change with shorter hair? Is shorter hair lower or higher maintenance?
Image Source: @hairbyamyelaine
Hair care routines are different for shorter and longer hair. Product usage, of course, is more with longer hair, but upkeep and maintenance with a short haircut are a bit more. For instance, I recently chopped 10 inches off my hair and went for a super cute bob shape, which I love! But having a bob and wanting to keep it in shape and cute means getting haircuts more often. Whereas when my hair was long, I could go quite a while without needing it.
How will your hairstylist journey and hair-cutting education change within the next few years?
I am currently working with my partner, Amrita Soli, on our haircutting education classes. It’s called A2 Haircutting Education – a simplified approach to hair cutting. We are doing classes at Square Salon (our home salon) and inviting other stylists to purchase tickets for a full education day. There are two demonstrations and a hands-on portion, which is so much fun. Haircutting shouldn’t be stressful.
We teach three techniques that can be used alone or together to create ANY shape/haircut. It takes the guesswork out of haircutting. So, the next year looks hopeful that we will be able to share what we know and help those who want to really hone in on their haircutting craft. Color has taken the forefront, especially in education. So many people are not comfortable cutting hair, and I see it all the time. So, having stylists who have attended our classes have those AHA moments, go back to the salon, and cut hair confidently is the best feeling ever.
What haircuts will you be exploring for your little one’s this season? Let us know in the comments!
Every year AFROPUNK Fest shows how otherworldly and magical Black beauty is.
Since it’s inception, AFROPUNK created a transformative space for alternative Black style, culture and music to thrive. The festival’s latest call to action is BLKTOPIA, a movement created within AFROPUNK that highlights the importance of creating an experience where oppression, inequality and exploitation are not allowed.
BLKTOPIA is about pushing back against the status quo. The movement is calling upon attendees to reimagine society without historical restrictions and use that vision to establish a newer, more vibrant standard of living.
The movement’s five main pillars of innovation, discovery, empowerment, artistry and social change can be scene throughout the two-day festival which included two headlining sets from the astounding Erykah Badu, a moving set from Soulection DJ as well as an electric performance from the legendary House of Juicy Couture during the BLKTOPIA’s Fight Club NYC Ballroom Battle.
This year AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA was hosted in collaboration with BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, an organization focused on empowering the creativity within one of New York’s finest boroughs.
Celebrating Brooklyn through AFROPUNK BLKTOPIA is synonymous with celebrating how the universal imprint of Black style can be seen through safe spaces like CurlFest and across the world at events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Here are some of NaturallyCurly’s favorite BLKTOPIA looks:
Curls and kinks will always have a space to flourish at Brooklyn’s CurlFest as long as the Curly Girl Collective is around.
CurlFest is an empowering event curated for Black women, by Black women that started with a group of friends aiming to celebrate natural hair out loud. Every year, attendees can anticipate a jam packed function with brand activations, vendors, Black-owned businesses, food and drinks as well as the empowerment stage and other performances.
Sponsors Shea Moisture, Mielle, and KISS Colors and Care gifted V.I.P attendees bags filled with hair-care goodies such as soft satin scarfs, full-sized leave-in conditioners, and growth oils.
Women from all over travel to attend CurlFest, the world’s largest natural hair festival, and stunt in their jaw-dropping styles and stylish outfits.
Here are some of our favorite looks:
Do you plan to attend CurlFest next year? Let us know in the comments!
Book lovers everywhere are familiar with the intense feeling of connecting with fictional characters, or they hope to.
Historically, Black literature was not widely taught or popularized in mainstream media. However, Iconic Black women writers like Zora Neal Hurston and Toni Morrison helped raise a whole generation of writers who wrote with Black women in mind.
Now, Black women writers are making space to represent their core audience through book cover art that depicts Black women in different spaces, places, and hairstyles, such as bantu knots and type 4 afros.
Here are 15 books that showcase natural hair and protective styles for Black women book lovers:
1. Black Girls Must Die Exhausted: A Novel
Jayne Allen’s breakout novel, Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, follows Tabitha Walker. Walker is what most Black women set out to be: educated, successful, financially well off, and loved by her ‘picture-perfect’ partner. However, a life-altering diagnosis brings her to the realization that the one thing money can’t buy is time. With her dreams of having a family at risk, Walker is faced with two choices: her family or her career.
2. Black Candle Women
The Montrose women and their collection of spells have kept their family together until the inevitable happens. The youngest Montrose, Nickie, falls in love without knowing the Montrose women are cursed, and anyone they fall in love with will die. To uncover the answers they seek in love, the Montrose women have to venture back to 1950s New Orleans and reckon with the past.
3. Black Girl Call Home
Poet Jasmine Mans is speaking to any Black girl searching for self-acceptance and the real meaning behind healing. Black Girl Call Home is a collection of essays and poetry that explores the intricacies of adulthood as a young, queer Black woman in America.
4. Bright Red Fruit
Safia Elhillo novel Bright Red Fruit follows a young teen named Samira who is desperate to break free from the bad girl stereotype placed on her. During a summer of exploration and poetry, she connects with an older poet named Horus. Despite the bliss of heightened emotions, their relationship leaves Samira with a secret big enough to prove everyone around her right and threaten her future.
5. Drinking From Graveyard Wells
Yvette Lisa Ndlovu’s Drinking From Graveyard Wells is a collection of narratives that shines a light on the experiences of African women in the Americas and elsewhere. Ndlovu’s novel enters a naturalization ceremony where participating immigrants must sacrifice what they love most to complete their naturalization process.
6. Seven Days in June
Seven Days in June centers on award-winning author Eva Mercy’s path to rediscovering herself, creativity, and love. After Eva accidentally reconnects with a long-lost lover, she is unsure about whether her heart is in a position to trust again. The only thing she’s sure about is her need for closure. Tia Williams’ novel explores Black motherhood and how love, just like life, can be reborn countless times.
7. Where Sleeping Girls Lie
Sade Hussein’s intense coming-of-age story begins during her junior year of high school, her first year at Alfred Nobel Academy Boarding School after spending her academic career being homeschooled. After Hussein’s first night, she becomes suspect in her roommate’s disappearance, all while navigating the school’s social food chain and healing from personal tragedies. As she works to crack the mystery of her roommate’s disappearance, Hussein ends ups up getting knee-deep in the secrets that lay beyond the foundation of her prestigious boarding school.
8. Sun is Sky
Jedah Mayberry’s Sun in Sky shows readers the darker, secretive side of rural living. When teenage Penny Hill gets shipped off to Mississippi after a mishap with her mother, she is met with family secrets and sudden tragedies. After her grandmother’s death, Hill must decide whether she will take her place or navigate her own journey of self-actualization.
9. Before I Let Go
The concept of finding love, or allowing it to find you, is a concept deeply ingrained in both girlhood and womanhood. However, Yasmen and Josiah Wade realized love isn’t enough to salvage a marriage broken beyond repair — or is it? Kennedy Ryan’s novel is full of stolen kisses, unhealed wounds, and reflection on how reminiscing may help the Wades get love right the second time.
10. Until We Break
Naomi Morgan’s determination to earn a spot in the New York City Ballet pushes her to the brink of mental destruction despite dancing being her therapy. When an injury forces her to reassess her dreams and coping skills, she meets a street artist named Saint. Until We Break is the story of two opposite individuals learning the first rule of life: there are no rules.
11. The Other Black Girl
Every Black woman knows being the only Black woman in any corporate office feels like surveilled isolation, and Nella Rogers is no exception. Rogers is excited when Brooklyn native Hazel begins working at Wagner Books, but the happiness is short-lived after she begins receiving threats to leave Wagner. As the friendship between Rogers and Hazel grows, more unexplained events occur, and secrets at Wagner are brought out of the darkness.
12. Queenie
Twenty-five-year-old Queenie Jenkins is a journalist in London who is fighting to perform at work, dealing with a break-up from her long-term boyfriend, and healing family trauma with all the wrong vices. An age-old tale many Black women have or will experience en-route to full fledge adulthood and learning her worth. Queenie’s story follows all her
13. Ties that Tether
Ties that Tether explores the culture nuance of interracial relationships and breaking generational curses. After promising her mother she would marry a Nigerian man, Azere continuously indulges her mother’s matchmaking until a fated one-night stand with a man who is everything she hoped for, aside from being white. Tether unpacks Azere’s choice between her fulfillment versus being a people pleaser and what either decision says about her identity as a Nigerian woman.
14. Black Girl You Are Atlas
Renee Watson’s collection of poetry and autobiographical essays lets readers into the intricate folds of her childhood in Portland by exploring themes of sisterhood and celebrating Black women. Watson writes to the Black women in her life who have helped her become the woman she is today and urges young Black women after her to be fearless when stepping into their power.
15. Patience is a Subtle Thief
Patience Adewale can be seen everywhere in the eldest daughters. Being the sheltered daughter of a chief does not come easy, especially when there is no comfort to be found at home. Finding independence at the university in Lagos fuels her determination to find her mother, who was banished from their compound years ago — with no explanation.
If your life was a novel, what would you title it? Take a picture of your favorite book and tag us @NaturallyCurly in the story you see yourself in.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Black-owned businesses are not a monolith, nor are hair care brands catering to natural hair.
For Black women everywhere, hair care is reminiscent of a sacred activity. There is an obsessive but warranted need for the perfect combination of products to create the perfect style. However, the strategy that comes with learning what natural hair needs varies by person, and the journey can be very costly.
According to market research on the Black Hair Care Market, Black women “spend more time and money on hairstyles and hair care products compared to women of other ethnicities.” In 2022, the Black hair care market was worth $2.9 billion and is expected to increase to $4.5 billion by 2032.
Pioneers in the natural hair care industry, such as Cantu, Shea Moisture, and Miss Jessie’s, set a standard for how brands should cater to the beauty of Black women. When formally Black-owned companies, like Cantu, decide to sell, it creates a rift between the Black woman consumer and the brand.
When Mielle Organics joined P&G Beauty, it caused an uproar in the Black beauty community. Founder Monique Rodriguez released a statement saying there were no plans to change formulas but to better meet the needs of their increased demands.
Although selling, whether for the benefit of the company or its founders, isn’t enough to keep Black women from trying new products, it does signal a need to invest in upcoming Black-owned hair care brands that are looking to usher in a new sustainable era in the Black beauty industry.
NaturallyCurly spoke with six budding Black-owned beauty brand owners about the biggest lessons they’ve learned throughout their entrepreneurship journey. Here’s what they had to say:
1. AfroUnicorn
Image Source: @afrounicorn_hair
As a person who is championed for their entrepreneurial spirit, what tips would you give another hair care line-owner on expanding their brand while maintaining their core values of catering to Black women with natural hair?
April Showers, the founder and CEO of Afro Unicorn, was inspired to start the brand after a friend called her a “unicorn” for her ability to balance her multifaceted and demanding life. She also noticed that her favorite emoji, the unicorn, was only available in white and lacked representation.
Showers wanted to create a more inclusive brand for children of color to celebrate their uniqueness, divinity, and magic. When children use Afro Unicorn Magical Tresses, I want them to feel like they’re putting on the power of their unicorn mane. You can’t say anything about my hair because it smells good and it looks good. Our hair care collection celebrates individuality, curated out of love and respect for every unique hair texture.
What advice would you give another business owner who is trying to crowdsource and earn grants to jump-start their business?
My advice would be to focus on four key areas: a strong brand story, a great product, a capable team, and demonstrable traction in your market. When crowd-sourcing or applying for grants, it’s important to communicate these elements to show potential supporters why your business is worth backing. Additionally, research to find funding opportunities that align with your mission. Building relationships with funders who understand and support diverse entrepreneurs can make all the difference in securing initial and long-term success.
2. Bomb Ass Fro
Image Source: @supersydnayyy
Bomb Ass Fro was started in 2022; what has the journey been like developing your brand from inception to the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week pitch competition up until now? Is entrepreneurship what you expected?
Bomb Ass Fro was launched in 2021, and the journey from inception, to NOEW, up until now, has been a ride! Entrepreneurship isn’t all that I expected. I knew that launching a company would be hard work. But I thought it would be all the hard work I enjoyed. I soon learned that there are parts of business that you may not necessarily enjoy doing that need to get done.
As time goes on, I’m learning that there has to be a balance between working on the parts that you love about your business to keep you fueled and doing the necessary administrative things (that you may not enjoy) to keep your business afloat. If you can master balancing the two, you’ll be successful.
In the next five years, what do you see Bomb Ass Fro growing into in the future? What are you hoping to contribute to the Black beauty industry?
Image Source: @bombassfro
In the next five years, I see Bomb Ass Fro being on the shelves globally! I want to continue to cultivate a community of Black women and men and give them the confidence to rock their bomb ass fros. It’s more than products; we’re building a movement. We’re on our way to the top.
3. CurlDaze
Image Source: @robynatwater
Curl Daze has been around for almost ten years. What has been the most fulfilling part of your journey transitioning from a hair influencer to a small business owner with a hair care line?
CURLDAZE has recently celebrated four years as a small-owned business. It is very rewarding to assist this company as a brand manager and educate consumers about how to care for their hair properly. I love interacting with naturals who are frustrated with their hair journey, and it’s like we meet at the perfect time because I come in to encourage them not to give up on their hair.
With products that are sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and help manage your hair, it makes the hair care process a breeze. Ultimately, that is what CURLDAZE is all about: helping everyone embrace their hair, one strand at a time.
What advice would you give to other hair care business owners struggling to build an audience for their brand?
Image Source: @curldazehaircare
We live in a world where consumers want something in their face briefly. We scroll on social media and our phones very frequently. The key is to ensure your brand is in the face of many very often. You have to hit the streets and showcase what you have to offer. Even if you don’t see the views you are looking for, don’t give up! You never know who is watching.
4. Frizz & Co.
Image Source: @themltgirl
Frizz + Co. was created to help people embrace their natural hair textures. What was the thought process behind creating a community solely for women with natural hair? How did solidifying your target audience help build your brand in the long run?
The thought process behind Frizz + Co.’s community aspect was about the resources I wish I had when managing my curly hair. While the product started the business and was incredibly important, it wasn’t enough. I wanted to create an ecosystem that filled the gap I was seeing beyond finding the right product for my curls, like connecting with like-minded individuals and sharing resources and education around curls.
As I got to know my curls, I felt frustrated. But in connecting with other women in this space, I realized that we all had similar frustrations and texture trauma. It’s so much more than just hair; it’s also a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, and I felt that those experiences were a powerful connector.
I also believe that community is essential for people to get a better feel for the brand, making it a key differentiator. People don’t want to be “sold to”; they expect more. They want a genuine connection with the brand they choose to buy into.
What is the meaning behind your slogan ‘Sunday curls every day of the week’, and how does that slogan influence your brand’s aesthetic?
Image Source: View this post on Instagram
Sunday curls came from a branding brainstorming session a few years ago.
The idea was to illustrate the feeling behind day one hair: juicy, defined, bouncy curls (i.e., the perfect self-care Sunday dedicated to wash day).
Also, wash day can be daunting, so we try to make it as pleasurable as possible. I believe we achieved this through small details in the product, like the custom scent, creamy texture, and minimalist aesthetic. Our goal was to design a product that elevates your wash day experience.
5. Nuele
Image Source: @nuele_hair
Nuele is the epitome of the clean girl aesthetic, seemingly on brand for former medical professionals. What moment inspired you to pivot into the hair care industry and leave healthcare behind?
The moment Anne and Christine were inspired to create a clean, naturally derived haircare brand was after realizing the impact that their professional backgrounds could have on the haircare industry as a whole. The vast majority of hair care products, including clean/vegan products, are formulated in 3rd party labs that specialize in creating formulations that use cheaper ingredients. This means genetically modified plant-based ingredients, or “vegan”, and a mixture of chemicals traditionally used in haircare, rather than using 100% naturally derived ingredients that perform as well or better, and are safe and healthy for your body.
A 2016 study by the Environmental Working Group found that over 70% of hair products marketed to Black consumers contain dangerous ingredients, compared to 40% of hair products for the general public. As Anne and Christine are biochem and medical professionals, along with Christine’s experience in food science and working with natural ingredients, they realized their new purpose: to create haircare products using 100% toxin-free, naturally derived ingredients that perform as well as traditional hair care.
How did you conceptualize the branding aesthetic and strategize building a strong social media brand for Nuele Hair?
Image Source: @nuele_hair
NUELE’s brand is centered around transparency and authenticity, which is reflected throughout our branding and social strategy. It is important for us to communicate these attributes from our packaging to the individual and authentic experiences that are showcased on our social media. For example, today’s generation does not want to be a “Revlon” girl. They want to be themselves, and we believe it is important to showcase people’s authentic experiences with our products.
Additionally, it’s important for us to know what we’re putting in our bodies, and many brands communicate their ‘key’ ingredients but not their full ingredient lists. We are challenging that norm by incorporating every ingredient in the design for each product’s packaging. Whether on our website or in-store looking at a product, you will always know what ingredients you are using.
OOume
Ooume prides itself on being a natural hair care line at the intersection of motherhood and entrepreneurship. How did you build out your niche in the beauty industry and grow your customer base despite focusing on parents?
I built out my niche and grew my customer base by focusing on a problem I knew other parents were struggling with—finding baby hair care that hydrates coils and curls. As a single mom, I often combine my own self-care routine with my son’s bath time to make the day easier. One time, after a particularly long stretch of not having time for myself, I used my son’s baby hair care products on my own hair. They completely matted my curls, which made me realize the lack of effective, hydrating products for our specific needs.
That moment sparked the creation of Ooume. I wanted to develop a line that cared for my son’s delicate curls and made wash day simpler for both of us. By addressing this real and personal challenge, I was able to connect with other parents who faced the same struggle and build a brand that resonates deeply with our community.
What lessons have you learned while trying to formulate products for children?
Creating products for children has taught me several important lessons. First, it’s essential to understand the sensitivity of a child’s skin and hair, which requires extra care in formulations. Ensuring that every ingredient is gentle, safe, non-toxic, and effective is non-negotiable. I’ve also learned the importance of creating products that can be used by both parents and children, simplifying routines, and making bath time a bonding experience.
Image Source: @weareooume
From a branding perspective, I knew I wanted a name that would be easy for kids to remember and colors that would naturally draw them in. As a mom, I often find myself energized and soothed by bright colors, especially after a long day of working and caring for my baby. This insight inspired me to design vibrant hues for Ooume’s branding, making it appealing and comforting for both kids and parents alike.
Regardless of where you get your hair care products, shopping within the realms of Black-owned beauty is inclusive, liberating, and accepting of every texture. What Black-owned beauty product is on your list of must-haves or must-tries?
Style your hair with your favorite Black-owned hair products and tag us @NaturallyCurly before the end of Black business month.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Self-care is necessary for everybody; however, men are often left out of mainstream conversations about the importance of self-care and grooming. Carlton Rose is working to change that through content creation.
“I started making content to share my journey and help other guys who might be struggling with their hair care,” Rose said. “It’s been awesome to see so many men embracing their curls because of it.”
Rose’s social media content about hair care and grooming for men has helped him gain nearly 185K followers on his Instagram and TikTok platforms. After learning to care for his hair by trial and error, Rose realized there was a lack of resources for men with curls and decided to bridge the gap.
“I always joke with my community — I watched all the lady’s hair tutorials on YouTube, so you don’t have to,” Rose said.
Image Source: @carlton.rose
His decision to embrace his curls and show curly-haired men that they don’t have to subscribe to traditional grooming standards has helped create a safe space for men to experiment with different hairstyles and grooming practices.
Making self-care a habitual part of life is daunting for anybody when they first start. Here’s a deep dive into why and how men can start their grooming journey from Carlton Rose:
Why is it important for men to practice self-care?
It’s important for men to practice self-care because it helps with both physical and mental health. Self-care isn’t just for women; it’s crucial for everyone. When men take care of themselves, they can handle stress better, feel more focused, and stay healthier overall.
Can you explain why grooming is an important part of self-care for men?
Grooming is an important part of self-care because it’s a way to take care of yourself and feel good. It’s not just about looking good, but also about boosting your confidence. Taking time to groom yourself also gives you a chance to slow down and focus on yourself.
Image Source: @carlton.rose
In your opinion, what does implementing a grooming routine look like for the modern man? What are some core steps men should consider?
A grooming routine should be simple and consistent. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Key steps include cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin and hair. For hair, that means regular washing, conditioning, and using products that suit your hair type. For skin, it’s about finding a good cleanser, moisturizing daily, and using SPF during the day. The main thing is to stick with it—consistency makes the difference.
What does your typical wash day look like? Describe your current hair care regimen.
On wash day, I start with a sulfate-free shampoo to clean my hair without drying it out. Then, I use a deep conditioner and leave it in for about 20-30 minutes to make my curls soft and hydrated. After rinsing, I apply a mousse or hair cream to define my curls and keep them moisturized. I finish with a gel to smooth everything in and eliminate frizz. I like to let my hair air dry, but I’ll use a diffuser on low heat if I’m short on time.
Image Source: @carlton.rose
What are some of your go-to tools and products to use when styling your hair? (Name at least 3)
1. Twist Gimmie It All: This product is amazing. It leaves my hair super conditioned and moisturized, which really helps my curls to pop and look more defined.
2. Mousse & Hair Gel: These help to hold my curls in place while still keeping them soft. They give me that definition and hold. The key is you need to find the right gel without the crunch!
3. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer: I use this with the diffuser attachment to dry my hair quickly and evenly without causing frizz. It’s perfect for getting my curls to look their best in a short amount of time.
How do you manage product build-up in your curls as an on-the-go creative?
Managing product build-up can be tough, especially when you’re busy. I use a clarifying shampoo once a month to eliminate any build-up. It helps clean my hair without stripping it of natural oils. If I need to reapply products throughout the week, I’ll stick with lighter ones. Sprays and mists to refresh my curls.
What is one hair care tool or product you couldn’t live without? Why?
The one product I can’t live without is Twist Gimme It All. I’m telling you, this stuff is amazing! It can untangle the toughest knots and keep my hair super hydrated. It works great for curly and coily hair textures. It’s my go-to product, and I recommend it to anyone with curls like mine.
Aside from your haircare, how else do you practice self-care as a creator?
Outside of hair and skin, self-care also includes staying active. I make time for exercise, whether that’s going to the gym or just doing some push-ups in my living room. It helps clear my mind and gives me more energy. I try my best to get enough sleep and stay hydrated—those are key to feeling good.
What three tips would you give men trying to start their self-care journey?
1. Start Small. Don’t feel like you have to do everything at once; there’s no need for an overhaul. Start with simple things like drinking more water or setting up a basic skincare & hair care routine.
2. Be Consistent. The most important thing is to be consistent. Even small habits can make a big difference if you stick with them.
3. Know Yourself. Pay attention to what works for you. Everyone’s different, so find what makes you feel your best and go with that.
OUR EDITORS INDEPENDENTLY SELECT ALL PRODUCTS FEATURED ON NATURALLYCURLY. HOWEVER, WE MAY EARN AN AFFILIATE COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING THROUGH OUR RETAIL LINKS.
Summer is the season of renewed possibility and new hairstyle trends.
Although it is common to wear curls and kinks in protective styles for vacations or pool days, there are other ways to upgrade the typical summer style.
People who are interested in using their curls to try new trends have many to choose from. This season has been notably softer than past years allowing most women to channel their inner muse by incorporating feminine accessories like bows or floral accessories.
Here are 18 flowered hairstyles to try this summer:
1. Flowered Braided Baldie
Image Source: @tracy.hairstylist
This season’s trendiest style keeps getting more chic. Women ready to try the risque braided baldie hairdo can soften the style with a braided flower design complimented by decorative flowers for extra added flare.
2. Rose Barrell Cornrows
Image Source: @fashionbombdaily
Traditional cornrows are known to provide protection for kinks and curls, but rose barrel ends take this style to new heights. This pretty and protective style is sure to turn heads.
3. Cleo’s Cornrows
These versatile cornrows are able to be styled in a fishtail braid or a bun and complemented by blossoming flowers for an extra feminine touch.
4. Space Buns in Bloom
Image Source: @michixo__
Stitch braid space buns are the best style to wear during the heat. Dressing these braids with flower accessories allows any woman wearing this style to embody the vacation aesthetic perfect for summer.
5. Blossoming Bubble Ponytail
Image Source: @its_deloris
Stylists can upgrade their bubble ponytails by adding flowers to create an ethereal aesthetic. Women with 4C hair can frolic through the summer season with their trendy ponytails in the wind.
6. Pineapple + Flowers
Image Source: @mendezisthatyou
Loose naturals aiming to enhance their up-do’s with floral accessories can try styling their curls in a pineapple puff. A pineapple gives women the ability to hide flower stems, both real and fake, leaving the appearance of a built-in flower crown.
7. Flower Stem Singles
Image Source: @braidsgang
Women interested in taking their ‘green thumb’ and love for nature to the next level will love these Flower Stem SIngles. These dark green braids are a subtle and elegant way to incorporate a cute color change that transitions into a beautiful bouquet.
8. Bantu Knot Flower Crown
Image Source: @brialarine
Creating flower crowns with natural hair is simple with Bantu knots. Women who want to protect their edges from humidity can style their afros in a cute half-afro, half-bantu-knot flower crown.
9. Aromatic Afros
Image Source: @angelsvill
Kinky-haired women have the perfect texture to secure flowers in any style, and an afro is no exception. Minimal styling is involved, and maximum beauty is achieved.
10. Rose Tower Top Knot
Skai Jackson’s avant-garde Rose Tower Top Knot is a flawless example of a flower-inspired hairstyle. This simple yet elegant hairdo is exactly what the trendiest woman needs for her next photoshoot.
11. Double Flower Claw Clip on Box Braids
The hibiscus flower claw clip going viral is exactly what happens when two trends collide. Women obsessed with wearing claw clips and want to participate in this season’s floral trend can try these pastel claw clips on loose curls or box braids.
12. Half-up Half Down
Image Source: @tiaynnaa
Braid lovers and use bold flowers to accentuate a simple half-up, half-down style.
13. Daisy Dutch Braids
Image Source: @curlbellaa
Turn classic Dutch braids into daisy Dutch braids this season. Stylists can incorporate flowers and other greenery in this quick and easy style to keep up with this summer’s floral trends.
14. Messy Loc Bun with Flowers
Image Source: @coley_lox
Who says a messy bun can’t be trendy? Ladies can style their locs in a messy bun with faux bangs and accessorize with their favorite flower for this lazy day upgrade.
15. Garden of Knots
Image Source: @anthonytruthgary
Locs will always create the most voluminous bantu knots. Women who innovate the style with flowers or trendy floral accessories to this style will look like they stepped straight out of the garden of Eden and onto the streets — ready to own their ethereal light.
16. Botanical High-Bun
This elegant high bun is perfect for any formal occasion.
17. Majestic Mohawks
Mohawks looks voluminous regardless of texture, this simple style looks amazing with floral accessories. Perfect for 4c hair.
18. Low-down daisy ponytail
Slick-back buns have never looked better until they were decorated in flowers. Decorating your ponytail with flowers is the quickest way to jazz up the style.
Flowers and floral-inspired accessories will complement any style regardless of texture. People searching for soft and trendy accessories this summer can finally stop and smell the roses because flowers are everywhere.
Try one of these flowered hair-dos to find your new favorite summer style!
When Monteria Johnson, also known as Tookie, posted her innovative Braided Baldie hairstyle, she did not expect it to go viral.
Summer is always the perfect time for stylists to premiere their best-braided designs, such as tribal braids and other protective styles like Bantu knots. Johnson has definitely left her mark this season by creating a viral hairdo that is now infiltrating salon suites everywhere.
Johnson didn’t even expect to become a hairstylist during her formative years of learning how to become a master braider many would come to know her as. Growing up in old-school style salons inspired her first business — Natural Hair Flows.
Her mission of joining the California Make-U and Hairstylist Guild led her on a journey of rebranding Natural Hair Flows into her current brand, Tookie Did It.
The Braided Baldies Goes Viral
Although Johnson’s brand was already popular, she only expected her viewers to see the Braided Baldie style and think it was up to par with her other works. However, the viral response she received helped her reflect on how she enjoys using social media as a tool to find inspiration and help inspire other stylists.
“We all get inspiration from somewhere,” Johnson said. “ If I can inspire other people to be more creative, then it’s just making the world better.”
Johnson’s first attempt at the style came after a client from Chicago requested freestyle design braids. During the pairs search for inspiration, they came across a beehive braid pattern, which is typically used for sew-ins. From there, Johnson’s creativity began to sore.
Image Source: @tookiedidit
“I was just thinking about the old school aspect of it and then also thinking about [creating] something new because everybody is wearing all the same styles,” Johnson said.
The following day, one of her regulars who saw the first attempt requested the same style with the addition of a heart design. Johnson agreed and committed to creating one continuous braid full of design. Her second attempt at the style is ultimately what went viral and thus the ‘Braided Baldie’ was born.
Her first two Braided Baldhead videos garnered over 4 million views on TikTok and over 200K likes on Instagram combined.
“I wasn’t trying to invent anything because the style, in my opinion, had already been done multiple times,” Johnson said. “ I just put my spin on it.”
Those interested in trying the Braided Baldie style can expect their tresses to be tucked away into one continuous braid that curves and contorts into hearts, crosses, stars, zig-zags or all of those designs all at once. The end of the braid is usually tucked into another, creating a ‘bald’ appearance.
How to Wear The Braided Baldie
Johnson wants people who are apprehensive about trying this style to remember that confidence is key. She believes if you have confidence anything can look good and this one key factor is what contributes to a lot of styles becoming “trendy.”
“It’s because of the energy and the vibe. That’s why I believe it’s really just your attitude and confidence that give you the ability to rock anything,” Johnson said.
She believes this same confidence is what played a role in propelling the Braided Baldie style to viral heights. In her video, Johnson can be heard hyping her design and sending positive affirmations into the universe, claiming that this style would be the style of the summer.
“I definitely feel like this is going to be this summer’s hairstyle,” Johnson said in her viral TikTok video. “This is 2024, all summer, it doesn’t matter how you get it braided, but the braided bald head needs to be the style for the summer.”
The design savvy stylist asserts hair is a means of expression and Black women everywhere should be able to turn heads in this style if they choose. Johnson also wants to challenge other stylist to be creative and set new trends so they don’t get bored in their craft.
“You can take what I’ve done, recreate it and make it your own,” Johnson said.
Tookie’s Tips for Stylists
Here are Tookie’s four guiding principles for stylist who want to add the Braided Baldie to their services:
- Start the creative process early — ask clients questions about designs they like and dislike
- Draw or visualize designs before braiding — having a reference point will help stylist determine where braids will begin or end
- Be intentional with your design — there should be no straight lines. Usually when braids start on one side of the head, it will end on the other.
- Consistency is crucial — keep the same thickness throughout all braids.
Braids are more than a stylistic expression. Before slaves braid rice into cornrows for those seeking freedom and refuge, their African ancestors used braids to identify tribes, social statuses, and even ages.
Fulani braids, created by the West African Fula Tribe, are a tribal braid style that has been widely popularized in recent years. They are characterized by their unique cornrow patterns in the front, which usually include a few forward-facing braids and individual box braids or corn rows in the back. Lately, many stylists have also been innovating the style by using curly hair to create bohemian-inspired Fulani braids. However, Fulani braids are not the only type of tribal braid.
Here is a round-up of 18 tribal braid styles to show braiders when trying new summer styles:
1. Cross-over Fulani Braids, With Curly Afro
This style provides a youthful take on the Fulani braid, with bob-length criss-cross braids in the front and an afro in the back. This afro-textured hair can be substituted with bundles or crochet hair of any texture.
2. Fulani Stitch Braided Bun
Women looking for versatility in their summer braids can try this style. The stitch braids curve to create an elegant pattern, complete with box braids in the back. This style can be worn in a bun, straight down or half-up half-down.
3. Bohemian Flip-over Fulani braids
The triangle design takes the trendy flip over to new heights. Women stuck on the classic Fulani braid style can expect compliments on this innovative tribal pattern.
4. Classic Fulani Braids
Fulani braids will never go out of style. Braiders can add curly hair to achieve the bohemian look or use more cross-over braids for a more intricate design.
5. Nubian Micro Feed-in’s
Despite what most people think, cornrows also originated in ancient African civilizations. These detailed tribal patterned braids are a perfect example of simple yet stylish tribal braids.
6. Side Swoop Fulani braids
Side-swoop Fulani braids have been the trendiest style this summer.
7. Freestyle Tribal Cornrows
Freestyle fulani cornrows offer clients a chance to stunt in a tribal design for half the time. It includes zig-zag braids, bohemian-style hair, and dramatic edges to complete the look.
8. Allante Braids
Smedium Allante braids are a gorgeous alternative to regular sitch braid cornrows. These braids feature a traditional Fulani pattern in the front with cross-over braids and parallel zig-zag braids in the back.
9. Fulani Stitch Braids with Small Knotless
These Fulani braids have a defined middle part, with two braids to compliment the face on either side. This style fits any woman trying tribal braids for the first time.
10. Zig-Zag Tribal Cornrows
The twists and turns in these braids are perfect for any woman with an experimental taste. Beaded to aesthetic perfection fit for an ethereal queen, these braids incorporate zig-zags, swirls and cross-over braids.
11. Nubian Cornrows
Women searching for the perfect vacation hairstyle should consider trying these Nubian Cornrows. These braids offer a sleek look with a simple design that is guaranteed to turn heads.
12. ‘One Tribe Fits All’ Braids
These bohemian Fulani braids are perfect for the simple yet stylish woman.
13. Alicia Keys Inspired Tribal Braids
Alicia Keys-inspired tribal braids will curve a woman’s curls in the right direction. This curvy pattern will definitely compliment gorgeous girls with round faces.
14. Ghana Braids
Ghana braids are known for their large size, and these bohemian-style goddess braids are no exception. This style is for girls who love a quick jumbo braid style.
15. Tribal Pin Curls and Braided Top Knot
Tribal pin curls add an extra layer of extravagance to this hairdo, perfect for a formal occasion. Who said tribal braids were just for vacation?
16. Triangle Tribal Twists
This is a cute alternative for women who prefer twists instead of braids.
17. Goddess Tribal Braids
Traditional tribal braids with a bohemian flare.
18. Crossover Fishbone Cornrows
It is a complicated yet cute tribal style for all the women ready to pop out in braid art that most probably hasn’t seen yet.
Which tribal style would you try this season? Post a picture and tag us @NaturallyCurly so we can see how you stunt in the summer heat!
Hair care is not just for women. Summer is in full swing, and changing your hair is equally important as finding the perfect outfit—no matter the occasion.
Luckily for men with bouncy curls, long tresses, or luscious locks, they can try a wide variety of styles throughout the summer to stay fly while protecting their hair from the harsh humidity.
Men looking for new ways to style their hair are in luck; here are 28 hairstyles to try this summer season:
Braided Styles
1. Stitch Braids
Image Source: @rieexclusiveco
Stitch parting, complimented by a snake design, offers a fresh look for a hairdo that will never go out of style.
2. Tribal Cornrows
Image Source: @braidsbyderrica
Sleek tribal cornrows long enough to fit into a ponytail are perfect for men with long tresses on top and fades on the sides.
3. Diamond Part Pop Smoke Braids
These diamond-parted pop smoke braids provide clients with an innovative take on a New York classic.
4. Kaimikaze Braids
Image Source: @studiobladez
Men searching for intricate designs will love the kamikaze braid design because it creates an explosive pattern of braids; this style can also be done in a twist.
5. Versace Braids
Versace braids put the ‘style’ in hairstyle, these braids are inspired by the luxury brand fit for any man equip with a fresh outfit for the night.
6. Fishbone Braids
Image Source: @braidsbychiqui
Long-lasting fishbone braids create an elaborate pattern, woven into as many cornrows as desired.
7. Jumbo Plaits
Jumbo plaits are the epitome of a quick and simple style, with luscious curls parted into juicy plaits that are perfect for any texture in any season.
8. French Braids
French braids is a must-try style for the summer season, this easy hairdo looks sleek regardless of hair texture and is bound to frame the face nicely.
9. Reverse cornrows
These trendy braids are sure to gather compliments; reverse cornrows are good for keeping hair off the neck during the summer heat.
Twist Styles
10. Triangle Part Two Strand Twist
Triangle Two Strand Twist is a dynamically stylish twist on stereotypical box parts.
11. Invisible Locs
This style is perfect for men wanting to try locs without the commitment.
12. Two Strand Twist with Stitch Braids
A taper and line-up, complimented by sleek stitch braids, are perfect for pulling the hair back into a head full of breathable mini twists.
13. Flat Twist
Simple flat twists are a quick protective style and can be innovated with dynamic parting for men with thick hair.
14. Bantu Knots
Curly kings will love styling their hair in Bantu Knots to keep their hair off their necks during the summer heat; the knots can be taken down to reveal voluminous curls afterward.
15. Box twist with extensions
Box twist styled into barrels showcases the versatility of twist and is another alternative for men wanting to try loc-inspired hairstyles.
Loc Styles
16. Barrel Twist
Men with locs can pull their hair back and show their face in the summer sun with a classic barrel twist.
17. Top Knot
Up-do’s are a summertime must, and locs of any length will look fashionable in a loc top knot ponytail.
18. Fishtail Ponytail
Image Source: @Lux_n_locs
Fishtail ponytails provide an elegant and intricate take on a low ponytail, making it an ideal style for a night out this season.
19. Three Strand Twist with Barrel Ends
Image Source: View this post on Instagram
Those rocking medium length locs can never go wrong with three strand twist, the combination helps make their scalp more breathable complimented by stylish barrel knot ends.
20. Jumbo Ropes with Broom Tips
Risk takers will love this edgy take on jumbo twist, broom tip spiked ends are sure to be a head turner.
21. Loc Spirals
Image Source: @ajknowshair
These bold loc spirals create a breathable, dynamic design without invoking the typical twist and ponytail style bases.
22. Loc Bun
Keeping locs out of sight and out of mind during summer heat waves is easy to achieve with a low bun.
23. Plaited Half-up, Half-down
The classic half-up, half-down style will never disappoint and can be achieve through locs, plaits as well as twist.
Loose Natural Styles
24. Finger Coils
Finger coils are the ultimate wash day style, quickly achievable through the leave-in, oil and cream method. This easy hairdo is ideal for men on the go.
25. High-top Comb Coils
Comb coils take finger coils to new heights. Men with thick tresses will enjoy these corkscrew curls, regardless of texture.
26. Slicked Back Low Ponytail
This classic, sleek style is suitable for any occasion.
27. Messy bun with a taper fade
Men with fresh line-ups and no motivation to style their curls are in luck, messy buns will never go out of fashion.
28. Head wrap
Image Source: @iamteko
Turban headwraps are perfect for those summer days when styling bouncy curls or kinky coils is simply too much.
Contrary to popular belief, men can try the same variety of hairstyles as women. When was the last time a man in your life tried a different hairstyle?
Try one of the featured styles, post a picture, and tag @naturallycurly on Instagram to show us your new summer style!
To be queer in the Black hair care industry is to be a trendsetter. Modern icons such as Billy Porter, Lavern Cox, Lena Waithe and Ru Paul helped normalize what it means to embrace the beauty in Black queerness despite industry standards traditionally favoring stereotypical white beauty.
Image Source: @coastal.curl
Hair care is one of the few ways queer people can openly express their sexuality through their style, aside from clothing. However, they have historically faced ridicule in spaces where they’ve dared to be open.
Many queer people have been refused service, discriminated against, or treated poorly in beauty spaces that are supposed to be designed to help them feel like the best version of themselves.
As the beauty industry has become more accepting, it has become increasingly important to ensure there are inclusive places where queer people can receive hair care without judgment because they deserve to feel just as beautiful as their heterosexual cis-gendered counterparts — no questions asked.
Here are 12 BIPOC-owned queer-friendly salons and barbershops aiming to create safe places for LGBTQIA+ individuals in the beauty industry:
1. Alternativee Hair — London, UK
Image Source: @alternativeehair
Not only is Lois, the salon stylist behind Alternativee Hair, known for going viral on Tik Tok; she’s also known for specializing in queer hair care and beauty. Lois specializes in creating alternative designs and creative color work for curls of every texture. Alternative Hair also provides other natural hair care services such as silk presses, loc maintenance, Bantu knots, and more.
2. Benders Collective — Long Beach, California
Benders Collective, previously known as Salon Bender, is a curated experience fit for people seeking hair care and holistic wellness. The Hispanic woman-owned queer-friendly salon was created by Jessie Santiago, a hair artist with over 20 years in the beauty industry. Benders Collective offers ritualistic hair cuts, hair color, scalp care, meditation, somatic therapy, and other wellness services.
3. Cabello Hair Studio — Portland, Oregon
Image Source: @cabellostudio
Portland’s Cabello Studio Hair Salon is a Hispanic queer-owned plant-based sustainable hair salon. The owner of Cabello, Jonathan Bermudez, works with two other licensed professionals to create hair colors and haircuts customized for every client.
In addition to tailor-made experiences for every client, Bermudez has created the Cabello Foil, “ a unique brand of foils with a message of love in a variety of custom prints and color combinations.”
4. Camera Ready Kutz — Brooklyn, New York
Brooklyn-based Camera Ready Kutz is a queer-focused, Black woman-owned barbershop that wants to rewrite the history of LGBTQIA+ individuals who fear for their safety and receive less-than-satisfactory grooming treatment in the hair care space.
After Khane Kutzwell experienced her beauty salon peers being discriminatory to her clientele, she created Camera Ready Kutz in 2007. Camera Ready Kutz offers many barbershop services, such as tappers, line-up loc maintenance, twist and braid sets, big chops, and facials.
5. Coastal Curls — Oakland, California
Image Source: @coastal.curl
Those with textured hair can expect nothing less than the best from salon stylists at Oakland’s Coastal Curl salon, regardless of where they are in their natural hair journey. The Black and queer-owned holistic hair care oasis prides itself on being a multicultural community where hair care and healing happen simultaneously.
In addition to focusing on making clients feel like the best version of themselves, Coastal Curl is also concerned with supporting small, local, and BIPOC businesses that create organic, sustainable products in the United States.
6. Good Hair — Austin, Texas
Good Hair Company is a queer Black-owned multi-texture salon located in Austin, Texas. Since it was founded in 2017, Good Hair Co. has been dedicated to providing holistic hair care by creating a socially conscious and inclusive space. Salon specialties include curly cuts, textured styles, custom colors, and various treatments.
Customers can also expect their stylists to use sustainable vegan products to minimize the negative impacts of hair care on the planet. “All hair textured are welcomed and cherished” at Austin’s Good Hair Company.
7. Kindred Kuts — Amsterdam, Netherlands
Image Source: @kindredkuts
Kindred Kuts is the only queer barbershop in Amsterdam, Netherlands — and it’s Black-owned. The European-based barbershop’s mission “is to disrupt the traditional hetero-male barber industry by creating a space that is gender non-conforming and accepting of trans, enby and non-binary [people], especially Black and POC queer persons.” All textures and lengths are welcome, but Kindred Kuts barbers specialize in short hair.
8. The Grain Midtown — Atlanta, Georgia
Image Source: @thegrainmidtown
When Perry Meeks opened Atlanta’s first openly queer barbershop, it was bound to be a hit. With services fit for celebrities and the everyday person a like, all LGBTQIA+ people will have their hair care needs taken care of while feeling comfortable at The Grain Midtown. According to the salon’s Instagram page, The Grain is a full-service salon that offers standard barbershop services, loc maintenance, natural hair services such as braids, wig installs, and nail services.
9. The Lady Clipper — Washington, D.C
Image Source: @ladyclipper
The Lady Clipper is an all-inclusive black-woman-owned and operated salon in Washington, D.C. All six women barbers working at the D.C.-based shop have separate specialties; however, there is a stylist to meet every need imaginable. The Lady Clipper offers natural hair, creative color, tight fades, and crisp lines—clients are guaranteed to leave the salon confident.
10. The Tall Poppy Hair Studio — Cincinnati, Ohio
Owner Lyly Weekes and co-stylist Jessica Turkawski created The Tall Poppy Hair Studio and Gallery in Cincinnati for queer individuals to relax and heal through hair care. Weekes has over 14 years of experience and specializes in precision cuts and color. Turkawski provides vivid color services for brow and haircut transformations.
11. SheKenKut NYC — Brooklyn, New York
SheKenKut, a Black-owned queer barbershop, started at a mobile salon and grew into a space where queer people can come together over fresh cuts and community events. Queer individuals looking for a quality cut or color work done in Brooklyn will feel at home at the SheKenKut barbershop.
12. United Grooming — Oakland, California
Image Source: @unitedgrooming
Queer individuals in Oakland can visit United Grooming for all their barbershop needs. United Grooming’s Salon Bill of Rights ensures clients will be respected and comfortable while receiving high-quality services. This concrete commitment asserts there is no room for racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, or any form of hatefulness at the barbershop. All haircuts are customized to fit each client’s preferred style, face shape, hair texture, and hair density.
Think about what inclusion in hair really means. Supporting hair salons and barbershops that aim to curate inclusive experiences helps combat harmful behavior against LGBTQIA+ individuals seen in the beauty space. Queer people should be able to feel pride in their looks all year long — not just during June.