I had the distinct honor of interviewing Ladosha Wright. I met Ladosha while soliciting boutiques to carry my accessories in Cleveland, Ohio. She was also gracious enough to carry Nilaja products. A friend referred me to get my hair done by her. At that time, I was beginning to give consideration to transitioning to natural. While I got my hair done by Ladosha, I noticed women walking in with beautiful, long natural hair and walking out with blowing-in-the-wind styles!- How long have you been a professional stylist and what made you decide to go into this field?
I have been a licensed cosmetologist for 10 years. I decided to become a cosmetologist after discovering the correlation between social ills and image when I was a social worker. My goal is to empower women to free them from the psychosocial chains (I stole that from Naim Akbar) of hair styling.
- What was the reason that you decided to give an emphasis to natural hair long before many other salons in your region?
I decided to promote and emphasize natural hair because of the horrible, crippling and fear based marketing schemes that promotes ignorance, lies, unsafe hair styling practices and incorrect hair styling practices.
- What type of services do most of your natural clients request?
Because all hair on the human head is natural and I promote teach my clients the science of hair and scalp properties, I attract women who want to learn how to shampoo, condition, and style their own hair THEMSELVES. Our salon is a teaching/learning salon. Women love all phases of hair styling.
- Since I have had the honor of having my hair done by you, I noticed that lots of you clients have long natural hair. What type of regimen would say that many of them practice…as well as you to keep it that way?
I encourage and require my clients to keep their hair cleaned every 3 to 7 days depending on their hair texture, hair type and density (hair fibers per cubic inch on the scalp). I encourage and require my guests to make purchases according to their hair texture and hair type. Lastly, I encourage them to purchase what they can afford. Because hair changes as we age, I am provide hands on styling lessons with every visit to those who need it based on the condition of their hair when they sit in my chair!
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- What type of products do you usually use in the salon?
I highly recommend P2 by Philip Pelusi. He formulates and PROMOTES/MARKETS his products according to hair texture, hair type and the goal a person is trying to achieve with their hair. HE DOES NOT USE RACE. Never buy hair care products and styling tools that markets to a race of people. For example, Black Hair, Ethnic Hair, Women of Color, Latino Hair and so on.
Second I enjoy Deva Curl’s Sulfate Free line of products. It is absolutely fabulous and affordable for everyone with some sort of kink, curl or wave pattern regardless the sex or age. It offers a unique cleansing experience. The third product line I enjoy is J.F. Lazartique. His product line is formulated with the finest and very rare and exotic ingredients. Though he has a conditioner that costs about $300.00, hey in case you hit the lotto or marry Diddy, feel me!
- Do you think that it damages your hair to wear wigs, weaves, micorbraids, etc?
No I do not think wigs, weave, braids or any other styling method damages anyone’s hair. Remember hair is as unique as the head on which it lies. With that said, no two heads of hair are alike. One has to be a good candidate to receive any type of hair styling services. The ownest is on the hair stylist to provide a consultation before every service. The ownest is on the hairstylist to be trained/certified in the service they provide and the products they used. No excuses.
People who patronize salons should ask who trained the stylist and is the stylist certified to do and use any and everything they style and care for hair with. In addition, look at the hair stylist hair. Is their hair real, do the clients they serve have fabulous hair and the likes. Too much stuttering or attitude from the hair stylist means get out the chair and go home. Why pay someone to mess up your hair. You can do that for free at home.
- Many women who subscribe to my blog have two main questions: How do they get their hair to grown long? What should they do about thinning or hair loss? What is your advice?
I find that question interesting, no matter how many times I hear it. Biologically speaking hair grows 1/4th inch per month (give or take a few millimeters). No hair growing pill, creme, serum, grease, pomade or salve can make hair grow more than what God allows the body to do for FREE! Rogaine/Monoxidil is the only product that has made it through the rigors of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) that grows hair back from live follicles in the scalp that will not grow due to hereditary hair loss, thinning, balding or medications. The catch to the Rogaine/Monoxidil is that the area on the scalp has to be bald. If you have hair on your head it will NOT work. This product is for bald or thinning areas on the scalp.If you have a hair disorder such as Alopecia, hair may not grow back no matter what you use.
Next, because you get 1/4th inch for free rather you clean it or not. Relax it or not. Loc it or not and so on, LENGTH is achieved as the hair grows (for free!) by taking care of the ends to prevent the ends from breaking off as it grows (for free!). For those who have texture (kinky, curly or wavy) this can be challenging because the sebum oil (the free oil the scalp produces!) can not travel through that texture and protect the ends. Soooo, to keep the ends from splitting, breaking, snapping and tearing; If you have texture, I recommend keeping your ends coated with any oil that you can eat. Oils such as olive, coconut, alvacado and so on. Do not use water based cremes and hair lotions. Have your hair cut every 6-8 weeks (depending on your hair style or per the recommendations of your hair hairstylist). Invest in the best protein your money can buy. Use the proper comb and buy the best comb your money can buy. Comb your hair frequently to redistribute the oil to the ends. Combing your hair freqently will protect your ends, prevent them from breaking off. Follow my advice and you WILL have longer hair. I guarantee.
As for thinning, for most people it is hereditary. When genetics is the cause, their is nothing that can be done because on a celluar level the RNA is telling the DNA what to do. And if you have a genetic disposition that comes from your parents, that RNA has a disposition to not communicate with your DNA. So there is very little if anything a doctor or hairstylist can do. Also, infrequent shampooing, wearing hair styles that stresses the hair and other harmful stressors such as smoking, lack of exercising and the likes promotes hair to thin faster on top of a genetic disposition.
If your hair is thinning to due excessive pulling or tugging on the hair at the scalp area follicle (the little tiny hole the hair grows out of) is typically PERMANENTLY DAMAGED. Once the follicle is damaged NO HAIR will ever grow from that tiny little whole. That is why I teach every client who wants to learn how to do their hair properly, which products to buy and when they need to return to the salon and lastly how much it will cost.
- Do you think that the increase in women who are going natural is just a trend or do they finally realize that relaxing is simply just a choice?
I believe women have always exercised the power of choice. I believe women were mis-informed. With the introduction of the internet…oh boy; that challenged a lot of hair stylists and hair care experts. I do not believe there ever was a trend. I believe with the ways we can communicate is so fast via technology; it made it easier to get the word out.
- Some naturals are nervous about blow-drying and flat-ironing. They want to ensure that they can go back to afros and shrinkage without damaging their hair. What would you advise?
Because hair is made of a protein called keratin; purchase the best protein (I will not say that your money can buy…just invest in the best… lol!) , use it before blow drying. In addition, there are products that can be used with the flat iron. If you use some kind of thermal protectant, I promise every kink, curl or wave will return upon getting your hair wet.
I know what you are thinking, what are the best proteins? The best protein is Daily Hair Rx by Philip Pelusi. It is the only protein that has the molecular structure that can repair the entire strand where needed, it does not weigh the hair down, it is organic and it works in 3 minutes on every texture. It cost $48.00. My next favorite is Repair Hair by of course Philip Pelusi. This product can be used as you flat iron your hair. As you apply heat to your hair this product repairs hair on all 3 layers; thus turning your flat ironing style into a treatment style…wow! I know. That product cost $48.00. Last, I recommend Eufora’s Fortifi. It too is Aloe Vera based like Philip Pelusi’s Repair Hair, it can be used with heat, it is organic and it only cost $18.00. It does not repair hair on all 3 layers, but it protects the cuticle layer which is what the hair is mostly made of…whew!
- Last question…what is your advice on a hair regimen to ensure that your hair grows/stays healthy and long?
Because hair grows 1/4th inch for free every month, I suggest that hair should be cleaned at least once a week for medium to thick density heads of hair. If your hair is thin or thinning; I suggest hair to be cleaned at least 2x a week because it gets dirty faster. I suggest you have your hairstylist tell you the direction your hair grows from your scalp to tell you the CORRECT texture. From there I suggest you make your purchases according to your hair texture, your hair type and the goal you have for your hair. Use the correct combs. Learn the proper technique to style your hair to ensure you are not pulling it out. Do not go against natural growth patterns because it promotes premature thinning and breaking. Lastly, drink lots of water, eat right, exercise, think happy thoughts, get a good nights sleep and if you do nothing else; please have good bowel movements throughout the day!
The name of Ladosha’s salon…Stephano & Co. Salon and the Reverence Design Team.
3649 Lee Rd. Upstairs, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120
her website: www.reverencesalon.net
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ladosha.wright
Specials….10% Off for New Clients. Free Trichological (analysis of hair and scalp) Consultation.
Natural Divatude 
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