A pioneer of the natural hair world, Diane Bailey, owner of Tendrils Natural Hair
Spa, in Brooklyn, NY, has taken her passion for hair well beyond beauty. Her goal
is to educate women on the source of their hair trauma, and help find the best remedies
for healthy and nourished natural hair.
At a young age, Ms. Bailey, a Brooklyn native, dealt with her own hair struggles
with alopecia and an inability to maintain a relaxer. She took this fervor for hair
education with her to Hunter College, where she wrote a business plan that addressed
what she felt were the needs of black women with natural hair. "We just need the
right tools, products, and the right language. Language [meaning], based on how
people define you with their words. That's how you'll define yourself, especially
as a child. Your hair shouldn't be crippling," says Diane.
Her desire to spread the word, led her to help create the International Braiders
Network in the 1980's, which she used to not only increase her knowledge of the
industry, but to build a clientele for her own salon. Diane opened Tendrils in 1987,
and in 1989, turned it into a full service natural hair salon. She developed herself
into an entrepreneur by lobbying for natural hair care licensing, which was approved
in 1994. After 30 years in the business, Diane is still as passionate about hair
as she was then, as a young and ambitious college student. She continues to do hair
but divides her ever-growing clientele amongst her four person staff, as she simultaneously
tackles other business activities on her plate.
Diane sees transforming back to natural hair as a maturation process of self evolution
and realization. As a woman who has established a strong business ethic, she shared
her thoughts on wearing natural hair in corporate America. "In order to have an
organization, everyone on the team has to conform in some way - for example suits,
dark colors [and so on]. In some ways it's a good thing; there is unity within the
team. However, when it becomes conformity and stifling, when you can't recognize
yourself, that's when it becomes a problem. An effective functioning team normally
has members that bring a diversity, with a different valuable component to the team.
That's what really makes things work."
Diane also gives invaluable advice on styles that ‘work’ in corporate America. "You
don't want styles to be too dramatic. Do something that flatters you and makes you
feel confident and comfortable. Show those outside of your tribe that you are professional.
Usually, soft looking styles work. It should be pliable in case you need to put
it up, down, or pull it back. It has to be versatile," says Diane.
Diane continues to educate, share and contribute to the natural hair world through
her successful business, participating in cultural events and sharing her knowledge
with others. There’s so much more to learn from Diane Bailey, so come on back to
The Coil Review for the next issue, and check out Diane’s tips, featured in Natural
Tips. She’ll cover topics like, retaining moisturize to your hair, preventing loc
debris, styles while going natural, and more!
The Host with the Most: Taliah Waajid
By: Yardley Messeroux
As soon as I learned that one of the most well renowned and anticipated natural
hair shows was fast approaching, I booked my flight, made arrangements with my cousin
to stay at her place, then put in a call to Black Earth Products,
the natural hair care line created by Taliah Waajid. It would have
been more logical to contact the company prior to making travel and stay arrangements,
but it was already set in my mind that I would be interviewing Ms. Taliah Waajid,
the founder and producer of The WorldNatural Hair, Health &
Beauty Show,
held in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pleasantly surprised, when I did get in contact with Black Earth Products executive,
Amin Waajid, he showed great interest in The Coil Review and informed me that he
would do what he could to make the interview happen. Living up to his word, Amin
got The Coil Review a slot in the natural hair expert's hectic schedule, smack dab
in the middle of the show's opening day no less.
At registration where I claimed my press pass at will call, there she was overseeing
operations while working the event like a true mover and shaker. Haircare professionals,
product companies, as well as TV producers, beckoned Taliah for attention from all
angles. It was a mystery how I was able to sweep her off to a low commotion corner
in Atlanta's AmericasMart, where the hair show was hosted.
The Beginning
Y:
Wonderful to finally have a moment with you. I think learning about your products
and about this outstanding hair show – basically hearing your story all together,
will really delight our readers. So what led you to enter the business of natural
hair care?
T:When I was a little girl,
I played with my dolls and styled their hair - and then eventually opened my own
little business at my auntie’s place. I used to do my friend's hair; all types of
braids, cornrowed it [etc.]. Then when I became an adult I had to make a decision
about what I wanted to do as a career. I was kind of unsure, but I decided to do
what I really enjoyed. It was something I did because I loved it. I was blessed
with the skill so I used it.
The Step In
Y: How did you finally make your way into this industry?
T: I wanted to meet people
that were doing what I was doing. Since I was making money braiding, I figured there
has to be some type of salon that does this. One day I saw a sign in a window that
said "Hair Braiding", up 125th street in Harlem. I was on the bus with my cousin
and said, "I'm getting off so I can see what they're doing". There was a narrow staircase
that opened up to a big store at the top where there were about 10 booths. Full
booths too! There were 2 types of businesses set up. One was like a hut with straw
and had African print on it, and the other one had a chic, upscale look to it. I
had to choose; and chose the hut. There were a lot of ladies sitting, waiting to
get their hair done. It was like heaven to me – like the gates opened! Aaaaah (singing
in a spiritual hymn note). I went up to one of the braiders and told her "I can
braid hair" and she said, “ok then do that lady right there”. I did the ladies hair
and that was it. That was the step I was looking for. The owner’s name was Barbie
Terry. She taught me a lot of my technique that I use to this today. Real technique!
Product Matters
Y: What inspired you to create your hair product line?
T:As I would do people's hair,
they would ask, 'so what do you use for your hair – because my hair is so dry'.
There really was nothing on the market around that time; nothing that addressed
those issues. Dryness…breakage [etc.]. There was nothing - so I started using my
own products on their hair.
Y: What product in particular of the line addresses the ever popular
challenge, dryness?
T: Well the whole line is moisturizer based, but for daily moisturizing;
Bodifier. You can use it everyday on your locs or braids. A lot of times when wearing
braids, people don't use products to condition it. But with Bodifier, by the time
you take out the braids, its been getting all the moisturizing and conditioning
benefits it needs; it works great.
Brain Child
Y:What made you think up the concept for The World Natural Hair, Health &
Beauty Show?
T:What led me to create this
show is the consistent need for natural hair care education. When I was in cosmetology
school the information they had for natural hair was limited. They had a picture
of a girl with a big afro; then they told you how to “deal” with it. And when you
turned the page, the following picture had the woman with straight hair. And that's
how they “dealt” with it…a perm! Doing what I do is a gift that I was blessed with,
and that's what I offer through my seminars, because there is a need. Although some
people that come to my show are very talented, they don't have anyone to show them
steps to make the styling neat [and other techniques]. And that's what my training
program is about.
Y: Ok but what about regular people that just don’t know what to
do with their own or their children’s hair?
T:A lot of the customers that
I would service had little girls that at a young age, would have relaxed hair. Some
mothers would think that they can't do anything with their daughter’s hair, so the
alternative they choose is to perm it. But something can be done - you just have
to learn about it. So I created a forum where all the top natural hair stylists
would demonstrate other options that they can do with their hair.
Plateaus in Sight
Y: What is the next level we should expect this show to be taken
to?
T: The goal is to really make
this show a success, and to have the show in other cities and countries; spreading
the word about the things you can do with natural hair. If you decide to go natural,
it doesn't mean you can only have an afro, or you can only have locs that are straight.
There are no limitations, and that's what we want to get out to people. Celebrate
the natural beauty of who we are. The next show is in 2009, in Atlanta.
"I've been in this business for
over 25 years, and I love what I do!" Taliah Waajid
To learn more about Taliah Waajid’s Black Earth Products and The Natural Hair,
Health & Beauty Show, visit:
www.naturalhair.org Natural Hair
A pioneer of the natural hair world, Diane Bailey, owner of Tendrils Natural Hair
Spa, in Brooklyn, NY, has taken her passion for hair well beyond beauty. Her goal
is to educate women on the source of their hair trauma, and help find the best remedies
for healthy and nourished natural hair.
As soon as I learned that one of the most well renowned and anticipated natural
hair shows was fast approaching, I booked my flight, made arrangements with my cousin
to stay at her place, then put in a call to Black Earth Products,
the natural hair care line created by Taliah Waajid. It would have
been more logical to contact the company prior to making travel and stay arrangements,
but it was already set in my mind that I would be interviewing Ms. Taliah Waajid,
the founder and producer of The World Natural Hair, Health &
Beauty Show,
held in Atlanta, Georgia.
