This stylist has all of Instagram shooooooook with her wig
If you’re a stan for all things hair, Jada Giovonni is the girl you need to get hip to. Jada is known for not only slaying with her wigs, but for literally make hair extensions look as if they’re real.
Once Jada quit her salary job to pursue luxury wig making, she never looked back. Since then, Jada and her business keep getting bigger. We sat down with wig expert, Jada, to discuss hair trends, clients, and how she got her start. Check out the interview below!
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What’s your background and how would you describe what you do? Tell us your story.
My story is incomplete as of now, but I’ve alway done hair. My clients and I sometimes joke about me starting hair when I was so young – about 5 or 6 years ago. People ask me how I started, and I always say that it chose me! But, I’m really just a young women doing countless hours of what I love, sharing it with the world, and giving my clients the beautiful hair they desire.
If you would have told me when I was a 14 years old, doing hair in my mother’s basement, that I would one day be a very popular wig and lacefront artist, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
What were you doing before, and how did you get to where you are now?
I had a corporate job at Quicken Loans. I had a salary and everything, and I actually resigned and left in good standing. I learned very early keep all professional relationships in a good place. I guess one day, I just stepped out on faith, and before I knew it, I was booking crazy clients out of no where.
I did hair in my dorm at college, which is where I also started selling hair. From that, I started working 60 hours a week at Quicken Loans. Once I left, I worked at 2 salons for about 2 years, and then I opened up my own storefront. That’s when I launched my website and when Giovonni Hair Company by Jada Giovonni was born.
You went viral for creating a wig that was braided and extremely seamless. How long did it take you to perfect your craft of realistic wig making?
To be honest, it’s taken me all this time. Each time I make a new wig, I create a new style or challenge myself to do something above average. I learn new ways to make that particular style be remarkable in its own light.
I used to be my biggest critic, but these days, I find it thrilling to impress myself with my work. It’s how I keep falling in love with it.
READ ALSO: Hair Art By Dominique wants you to take care of your natural hair under your installs
What is a current hair trend or style you wish would die out and why?
Incorrectly done lacefronts. It’s like, girl, you know that doesn’t look real! But, to each his own.
What is a major misconception that many of your clients have about wearing wigs?
When they see a flawlessly glued install, like a ponytail glued in the back, they think that they can achieve that same install, but glue-less. I tell my clients all the time that you can’t have glued expectations with a glue-less wig.
For those who don’t know, what’s the difference between lace fronts, closures, sew-ins, and quick weaves? Which is healthier for your hair and which is the most high maintenance?
So glue-less lacefronts or lace closure wigs would be the healthiest, because they provides less tension and heat applied to your natural hair. Anything with glue is high maintenance, since it’s not permanent and can wear off as you sweat and in everyday life.
READ ALSO: The truth about where hair extensions come from and if you’re getting your money’s worth
Tell us about a difficult time in your life that you overcame, and explain how you did so.
I remember back when sew-ins were my most requested style, before the wig movement, and my assistant skipped work. I had about 9 sew-in appointments, where I had to braid and sew each person in myself – and it was the day before NYE.
For those who are unfamiliar with sew-ins, you have to braid your clients full head, sew their natural braids together, and then sew their hair extensions in. I had an assistant to handle this step for me, as it was super time consuming. I was livid when she skipped, but I couldn’t let that stop me from doing my work.
I explained to all my clients what happened, and one of my clients even helped me braid that day! I definitely made sure to not only tip her but discount her install, as well. I ordered pizza for my customers, and it actually turned out ok. I didn’t leave work that night until 3am and each appointment ran over about 2 hours.
But, we made it through. That was definitely one of the hardest times that I’v professionally experienced.
Where would you like to see your artistry in the upcoming year? What are a few of your short term goals or aspirations for the future?
I wanna see more effortless styling like Hollywood shit on everyday moms and grandmas. Like, so much volume and hair that it speaks before you do. I want people who’ve never heard of me or sat in my chair to be able to tell that I did your hair.
I also want to have a luxury and affordable wig line online, with a chain of storefronts. I want the affordable wigs to be carried in local beauty supply stores where they are already pre-customized to install yourself.
I absolutely want to see more women out of the sew-ins and quick weaves and into wigs and taking care of their natural hair. Giovonni Hair Company will also be offering a product line in 2018, and I’m super excited about that!
