Meet Felicia Leatherwood
Felicia Leatherwood has been a hairstylist for over 26 years, specifically working with celebrities and entertainers. She has worked with the likes of Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Jill Scott and many others. But many people also know Felicia for her focus and emphasis on maintaining the integrity and health of natural hair and educating others to embrace their curls and coils. As a stylist and hair educator, Felicia has not only helped many people understand how to care for and restore their hair but she also Founded a detangling hair brush line called Brush With The Best and runs a celebrity hair management agency Texture Management.
In this episode, we speak to Felicia about her experience building her career as a stylist and how our industry needs to change to embrace natural hair.
Where to find Felicia: Instagram | Website | Detangling brush | Book
The interview
Here are all the questions we asked Felicia so you can fast-forward to the best parts.
* [01:26] How did you get into hair care?
* [03:13] How did you transition from doing your hair to wanting to do this for others?
* [07:00] How did you get your first opportunity to work with celebrity clients?
* [16:30] What were some of the decisions you and the team made when making the hairstyles for Issa on the set of Insecure?
* [20:39] How do we change the narrative to ensure we’re seeing more of us with our natural hair in the media and entertainment?
* [25:29] What has been your experience of hair and make-up unions for TV & film?
* [31:07] Why did you decide to create the detangling hairbrush?
* [43:40] What are some misconceptions about natural hair that need to be stopped?
* [46:35] What advice do you have for people who are at the beginning of their natural hair journey?
* [50:50] What’s next for Felicia?
Psst… want to ask one of our guests a question? Submit your questions at the bottom of the newsletter.
Who has Felicia styled?
Some takeaways
For stylists 💇🏾♀️
* If you want to get into editorial styling don’t just wait for the opportunity to come along, create one. Find your own models, create your own set and start building your portfolio. Having an online presence is key, so whether you have a website, use an external booking platform or create an EPK (electronic press kit), look for opportunities to be seen by the thousands of people searching for textured hair stylists online.
For everyone 💛
* The language we use and associate with our hair is either empowering or damaging. Negatively labelling textured hair as ‘difficult’, ‘tough’, or ‘unruly’, can make it more challenging to embrace our hair texture.
* Choosing the right hair tool (e.g. combs, brushes) is just as important as finding the right products and can transform our experiences from painful to enjoyable in an instant. Also, bear in mind that it’s easier to comb textured hair when it’s wet.
* Learn more about Felicia’s book, Root Therapy.
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, and YouTube.
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