This NYC based hairstylist does Solange’s hair and she’ll do yours, too
Solange is renowned for many things: her voice, her style, her values, and not least of all the artful, expressive hairstyles she sports on the day to day. Her ever-changing locks have undoubtedly become a part of her signature.
We all remember this crazy good look for the cover of Surface Magazine:
Turns out the same hairstylist is responsible for this also iconic look Solange sported at the Maryam Nassir Zadeh fashion show last season:
READ ALSO: Solange’s ode to black hair came at the perfect time
And, as you might expect, the woman behind this look (Susy) is just as crazy cool. Not only has she executed some of Solange’s best hair looks, she’s also styled the likes of Beyonce and Zoe Kravitz.
She’s exactly what you’d expect from a dope, charismatic hair artist based in Brooklyn. As you can tell from her own personal Instagram, she’s a walking rendition of her work:
We couldn’t help but ask about her life, her business, and of course… the Knowles sisters.
Where are you based?
New York City! (duh)
How long have you been doing what you’re doing? How did you get your start? When did you realize this is what you wanted to do?
I have been doing hair since I was 11 years old. I started practicing on my dolls, friends and family members. I started to take it more seriously after I got laid off from my job and had no idea what I was going to do.
I took my skill and made it work for me. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer or a doctor, but I realized that was other people’s idea of how I should live my life. Then I started to do what I love knew how to do without thinking. After that, things just started to happen.
How do you decide which style to assign which person? Do you have total agency over the hairstyle or do they tell you explicitly what they want?
With every style I try to go off of moods, energy and what God is saying to me at the moment. Some clients have a general idea; but some solely rely on the creation of what I’m thinking.
How did you end up doing Solange’s hair?
One day on my couch I was watching the “We Like To Party” music video and I thought to myself God, that is Solange and she is in Brooklyn! She should come get her hair styled with me!
I dreamt about it, prayed about it and told God that I’d do her hair one day. Two months later, I got an email request to do Solange’s hair. The rest is history!
Where did the inspiration for her Surface Mag/red beaded hair look come from?
She had an idea, I just brought her hairstyle to life. Her hair symbolizes passion, love, art and happiness… everything she embodies as a person.
READ ALSO: Amazon is embracing black hair with its new “Textures and Hues” shop
What about her look for when she performed at the Maryam Nassir Zadeh fashion show? Where did that inspo come from?
That hairstyle was inspired by one of her all-white meditation shows. That hairstyle represents beauty, healing and peace. Everything about it speaks uniqueness in the most innocent way.
Ever gotten your hands on Beyonce’s hair?
Yes. I created one of the most iconic hairstyle with the long side cornrows going all the way down (the ones in Michelle Williams’ “Say Yes” music video). That hairstyle has been seen all over the world, has been done on different celebrities of different nationalities! I am just humbled and thankful to God that I have the opportunity to create and do amazing work with like-minded people.
Out of all of the celebrities you’ve styled, which of them would you trust to style your hair?
Hahaha, Solange! I like her mind and how she thinks when it comes to style.
Does your eye for hair transcend into clothing?
Of course! Everything about hair is fashion. My look starts from the top of my head down to my toes. Usually the hair sets the mood, and I curate an outfit that goes with the swag. I love fashion, I love dressing up, wearing big coats, colors, weird stuff, simple. It just depends on the day and the mood.
Do you take someone’s personal style into account when doing their hair?
Yes! A hairstylist should, in order for you to know what would fit them you should look at their face, look at their swag. Check out their outfit, see what they would like, ask them to make sure. Check their inspirations, and usually when they show the same thing in all of the inspirations you start to gather an idea of what to create but . Sometimes though, you have to create one for them.
Any signature hair care tips?
– Love your edges, and take care of yourself from the inside.
– Always put more love into your hair so your hair can love you back.
– Moisturize.
– Wash!
– Study your hair and listen to it. Most times, your hair is telling you what it likes and what it doesn’t like.
What advice do you have for aspiring hairstylists?
If this is something you are passionate about I think you should take it seriously and go to school. Stop wanting to do hair at home and operating at a lower level. Reach for the stars! You want to be able to give customers the most professional and informative experience and sometimes that involves you going the extra mile to get an education in that field. It will help you in the long run!
What’s your favorite style you’ve ever done?
My favorite style I have ever done has to be these Lemonade Braids.
Casual.
Wow just…wow.
READ ALSO: The hair scarves black women rock stem from an oppressive law
To hit up Susy for hair inquiries or see more of her work, check out her contacts below:
You can find most of her work on hairbysusy.com
Instagram: @hairbysusy & @africancreature
Youtube: Africancreature
