There is no other place like barber shops and hair salons. The hair salon has been a community builder in the Black community for decades. Hair Styling is one of the ways Black people have defined their culture and identity, through braids, wigs, weaves, afros, relaxers, locs, etc. This place is known for its great hospitality and care, a place where people come in to look good and feel good. It's an Experience. The relationship between hairstylists and clients keep salon culture elevated, which is demonstrated at Corey Paul's Hair Studio located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The beginning of each service is "Consultation and Analyzation" in the lenses of a hair stylist, but most clients consider the service starting once they are at the shampoo bowl. Some clients tend to carry weight on them from the world when they first walk in, but it is left at the door or even sometimes dropped off at the bowl. There is no other service without shampoo and conditioning because before there is hair styling there is hair CARE.
Trust is what keeps environments like these continue to thrive. A client must give hair stylists permission to touch a part of their body that is sacred. Once that trust is established, then a relationship is born. Both the hair stylist and clients have a similar goal which is ensure that the client has beautiful and flourishing hair. In order to achieve that, it takes listening, patience, and consistency.
A room full of laughter and fun, yes, but it is also full of concentration. Concentration on the needs of the client, and creating a professional environment. Each salon has declared its own specific mission and makes sure that all employees are on the same page , because it is a business and branding strategy that keeps the business flourishing. Constant team meetings and education courses are held to ensure that each stylist both maintain and strengthen their craft. Hair stylists in the salon work together to fulfill the needs of the salon mission, while also catering to their individual mission and future goals.
Quick Weaves are a favorite in this salon. It is a great style for an upcoming special occasion or for protection and rest on the client's hair. The client's real hair must be braided or molded down, with a stocking cap placed on top used as a protector. Then, hair tracks are glued onto the cap in specific placements for precision and fullness. Finally, when all of the tracks are on and the adhesive is all dry, then it is time to style.
"How do you do it?", is what is often asked by the clients. That question is their way of praising the stylist for their incredible work and patience on their hair.
A community won't grow without exposure. In today's time, taking pictures of both the process and the final product is crucial, not only for promotion on social media, but for the client to view the beauty of their hair through the lenses of a camera. Certain angles and lighting that enhance a picture make the client love their hair even more. Once they are filled with joy in the end and book a future appointment then the service is completed.
Reoccurring clients do have expectations on their hair style, but often are supporters of the salon and the more specifically supportive of the person who is doing it.
Master Hair Stylist and Founder of Corey Paul's Hair Studio, Corey Durham (left) completes a new hair color and pixie cut style on his client. "It's A Look" is a saying that the stylists at Corey Paul's Hair Studio use to light up the faces of their clients. There are clients that come occasionally that may get the same hairstyle, which make them feel comfortable, but often times, stylists encourage them to try new styles, find a new identity from time to time. Most clients in the end love the new look, but for some, it takes reassurance and uplifting.
There's a special connection between family members that get their hair done at the same time by the same stylist. The inside jokes, authentic laughter and even disagreements that are witnessed at each appointment , but those are moments that cannot be interrupted.
Smile, even during hardships and obstacles that may come your way. If smiling is hard to do on your own, then spend time with someone that makes you smile. Better yet, go to the hair salon with a loved one, and the smile you both share in the end will be because of the same reason.