Introduction:
I recently went to Brazil to have my hair styled by Bruno, a maestro in handling natural hair textures. In the United States, where I come from, our naturally thick, afro-textured hair is often subject to prejudice. Those like me, with what we proudly call our ‘crown,’ have grown up using harsh chemical treatments like perms because many people are unfamiliar with or do not know how to care for type 4 hair.
New York City took a significant step in 2019 by passing the Crown Act, which outlaws discrimination based on hair texture, style, and length, particularly for people of color. Despite this act, finding the right salon for handling natural hair in the city remains a daunting task. The high cost and limited availability of natural hair specialists in NYC further compound the challenges faced by individuals seeking appropriate care for their hair, making it more difficult for individuals to embrace their natural hair. Basic services like a wash and blow dry can set you back at least $100, excluding the cost of styling. And if you wish to style your hair, you’re looking at upwards of $200+.
My decision to visit Brazil, where natural hair is promoted and embraced, reflects the need for inclusivity and accessibility in hair care services. The affordability and the attentiveness of Bruno’s salon, Villa Baoba, indicate a positive environment for natural hair care. Although Villa Baoba may not have access to the advanced tools available in the United States, their resourcefulness and dedication to meeting the needs of their clients with type 4 hair is commendable.
Villa Baoba:
Upon arrival at Villa Baoba, the first pleasant surprise was an employee name Dri who spoke fluent English. An unexpected but welcome boon for an American like myself, who is often challenged by language barriers in foreign countries. To my delight, Bruno was also a content creator like me and an exceptionally talented hairdresser. He was more than willing to let me document the entire process through video.
Bruno began by examining my hair, assessing its thickness and hydration levels, before guiding me towards the wash station. One of the workers revealed a little secret while massaging my scalp – the feel-good factor during a hair wash is a sign that the hair is still dirty and needs further cleansing. Who knew that a satisfying scalp massage was a coded message from your hair, indicating a need for additional washing? Once done cleaning my hair thoroughly, they moved on to toning. My hair, now damp from the wash, was left to dry naturally as they don’t use hair dryers. Given the scorching weather outside, this made complete sense to me.
With my hair sufficiently dried, Bruno set out to give me a trim. He sectioned my hair before starting the cutting process. Unlike the usual practice in America where the hair is styled first and then trimmed, Bruno was doing it the other way around. I bid farewell to my split ends, watching them being snipped away with a certain satisfaction. Once trimmed, my hair revealed a beautiful, bright color. Bruno, with nothing more than his skilled hands, a bit of mousse, and curl cream, worked through each strand, ensuring it was perfectly curled. No complicated tools, no extra products – just his hands followed by a diffuser to fully dry my hair. The result was nothing short of stunning. My hair looked healthier and brighter, and the curls looked simply amazing.
Conclusion:
To say that a visit to Villa Baoba was enjoyable would be an understatement. It was a transformative experience that introduced me to new ways of hair care and allowed me to enjoy the simple pleasure of having my hair done by talented professionals. Villa Baoba’s approach to hair care was minimalist yet incredibly effective, and their English-speaking staff made the entire experience seamless.
If you share my hair type, I would wholeheartedly recommend this salon. This isn’t just a place to get your hair done; it’s a place where you learn, engage, and leave feeling beautiful, satisfied, and enlightened. My experience traveling to Brazil to get my hair done by Bruno highlights the challenges faced by individuals with type 4 hair in finding proper care and representation in the United States.
