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?
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Who has Dickey styled?
Editorials and celebrities that Dickey has 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.
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