Meet Anthony Dickey
Anthony Dickey is a celebrity stylist, author, product innovator and salon owner who has spent 30 +years career dispelling the myths and mockeries surrounding women and their hair texture. Dickey has been changing perceptions of beauty and pioneering a new standard in beauty that aims to redefine standards in hair care to address the distinctive needs in a multi-textural world.
Named as a "Style Svengali" by the New York Times, and named in the EBONY power 100 list due to his many accomplishments in the hair world, Dickey is a textured hair care master who has created iconic hairstyles for designers, advertisers, photographers and celebrities alike. From celebrities like Rihanna, Minnie Driver, Estelle, Kelis, Michelle Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker to notable publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair, Essence, More, Vibe and Harper's Bazaar, Dickey has seen and done it all.
In this episode, we speak to Dickey about his experiences of building a career in the textured hair space and how people can really look after their hair.
Where to find Dickey: Instagram | Website | Product Range | Book
The interview
Here are all the questions we asked Dickey so you can fast-forward to the best parts.
[01:34] Tell us about your journey into hair styling.
[05:55] Do you believe there are hair products that can really cater for all hair types?
[19:05] What was your education journey like?
[29:10] What are some of the big mistakes clients and stylists make with their hair?
[36:30] What can we learn from older generations about managing our hair?
[48:12] Why did you open your own range of salons?
[54:20] Why do stylists need to educate their clients?
[58:20] How do you choose a great stylist?
[01:05:41] What’s next for Dickey?
Psst… want to ask one of our guests a question? Submit your questions at the bottom of the newsletter.
Who has Dickey styled?
Some takeaways
For stylists 💇🏾♀️
Focus on becoming a stylist that can do all hair types as that will help you to become an editorial and celebrity stylist faster. Having that diversity of experience and talent will help you to break into the industry.
It’s tough to make money running a salon as the stylists you employ will typically build up their own list of clientele. A lot of the costs will be covered by selling your inventory. On that note, remember, to sell products in the same way you’d like to be sold to — aka by educating customers about the products you’ve used on their hair during the service and the role it will play in helping them to maintain healthy hair and reach their desired goals.
For those who run a salon, you can’t take multiple clients at the same time without assistants. Ten minutes should be the longest that anyone waits to be seen. An hour is a reasonable time for basic services and anything more complex (e.g. braids, twists, wig installs) should take no more than 5 hours. Remember to respect your custsomer’ time.
For customers 💛
Products that bubble, lather and suds are not necessarily going to moisturise your hair. Moisture stems from the ingredients used and their role in helping your hair to retain it for as long as possible.
Don’t keep a protective style in for any longer than 4-5 weeks. The weight of the hair and the product build up can cause breakage if you keep it in for far too long. Also, remember to take breaks in between style installations as well.
Be weary if you don’t experience radical hospitality from a stylist or salon. They should be welcoming, easy to speak to and direct. You must be able to speak to the stylist comfortably for this to be a good long term relationship.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, and YouTube.
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Join the next LIVE ‘Ask me Anything’ session with Kya
Join us on the 1st July for our monthly ‘ask me anything’ session with Kya. In last months session, Kya answered over 18 questions about textured hair care and hair dressing in an hour. Helping our community with their natural hair care, transitioning hair, understand what it means to be a TV, Film and Entertainment stylist and more. There a
re limited spaces so grab your spot asap! 👇🏾
🔥 Hot takes
Should we care about celebrity hair care lines?
We’re half way through 2024 and both Queen Bey and RiRi have already released their own hair care lines. Add that to the mix of celebrity textured hair lines that already exist (from the likes of Taraji P. Henson, Lala Anthony and Tia Mowry to name a few) and it looks like everyone is throwing their hat into the ring.
It’s no secret that the Black hair industry is already flooded with product lines. From decade old favourites like Olive Oil to the Mielle Organics and Shea Moistures of the world, our community isn’t short of is options.
But now, with so many celebrities making their way into the field, it’s fair that people are asking… should we care to use these products?
Our take? It depends on who the range is coming from. We all know Bey has been raised by a stylist (not to mention, she hired the Dr Kari Wilson as Cecred’s Head of Education), Taraji P Henson was a stylist before becoming a world renowned actress and RiRi has been making moves in the beauty industry for a few years with Fenty Beauty.
All of these moves feel like they’re coming from a place of knowledge and a desire to make the hair industry better than it was yesterday. While we may love some of our curly and coily haired celebrities for their music and acting skills, that doesn’t mean we’ll love their products.
So, do the research and see what other customers and stylists are saying before you buy. Because no one wants to have yet another bottle of shampoo or conditioner sitting in the bathroom, collecting dust.
🧴Brand radar
Airfro: Haircare for Active Curlies
We’ve all gone for a run, headed to the gym or even braved the swimming pool and wondered what to do with our hair afterwards. Managing curly and coily hair is challenging enough day to day, but it’s even more so when you’re active and love a good sport or two.
Enter Airfro, a brand that has made waves in the haircare industry by specifically catering to the needs of curly-haired people who lead active lives. They’ve designed their products to keep your curls looking and feeling their best, no matter how intense your sport.
The Airfro Advantage
Airfro understands that curly hair requires special attention and care, especially when exposed to elements like chlorine, sweat, and environmental pollutants. Their product line is meticulously crafted with natural, nourishing ingredients that not only protect your curls but also enhance their natural beauty.
Swimmers' Savior: The Swim Collection
For those who spend a lot of time in the pool, Airfro's Swim Collection is a game-changer. Chlorine can be particularly harsh on textured hair, stripping it of moisture and leaving it dry and brittle. The Swim Collection includes a pre-swim conditioner that forms a protective barrier around your hair, preventing chlorine from penetrating the hair shaft. After your swim, the clarifying shampoo and deep conditioner work together to remove chlorine residue and restore hydration, leaving your curls soft, defined, and manageable.
Gym Enthusiast's Essential: The Active Line
If you're someone who hits the gym regularly, Airfro's Active Line is designed with you in mind. Sweat can lead to scalp build-up and frizz, but Airfro's refreshing scalp spray and hydrating leave-in conditioner keep your hair and scalp balanced and fresh. These products are lightweight, ensuring they don't weigh your hair down while providing the necessary moisture and definition.
Want to find out more? Head to their site for more details about their products and ranges.
🤔 Question box
We want you to take the lead with our next set of podcasts by submitting your questions to our team.
🎧 Coming up next…
Finally, here’s the next set of episodes we have planned. Save them in your calendar…
Episode 6 - Kaori Nik - 10th July
Episode 7 - Amber Hamilton - 24th July
Episode 8 - Marva Stokes - 7th August
See you in the next episode!
From,
The Mane Hook-Up team
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