“In The Chair” spotlights the incredible hairstylists and makeup artists in our community who are giving us major inspiration. Each week, they discuss their personal beauty and career journeys, what they’ve learned from their clients, and their top glam tips.
Growing up in Baltimore, hairstylist Ricky Wing spent his youth flipping through early hair magazines, like Hype Hair, Passion 2000, Black Hair, and of course, Essence. His city had some of the best hair salons in the country, and since his mother, aunt, and other family members were hairstylists (on top of having eight sisters who regularly got their hair done) the salon was like a second home.
Naturally, “I’ve always had a genuine passion and interest in hair,” Wing tells ESSENCE. “All the beautiful styles and textures definitely had a huge influence on me.” By middle school, he knew he wanted to follow in his family’s footsteps. So he started to experiment.
From Gumby-inspired fades to braids, spiked Mohawks to locs, and dyeing his hair every color imaginable, “each unique hairstyle I tried brought a distinct feeling,” he says. Then he realized, “If I could experience such emotions and joy from changing my own hair, imagine the impact I could have on others.”
After graduating from a Paul Mitchell cosmetology school, Wing began to establish his professional career. But Atlanta was where he connected with the celebrities he’s most known for, like Savannah James, Kelly Rowland, and his most frequent client, Monica. Now based in Los Angeles, he’s expanding his client roster with stars like Toni Braxton, Tems, and Keke Palmer. His work has also appeared in some of the very magazines he flipped through as a child, including ESSENCE, Ebony, and Vogue.
But he didn’t land these gigs from forcing the doors open. Instead “it has been quite organic,” he admitted. “I’ve always been committed to perfecting my craft and growing, and the simple desire for growth opened numerous doors.”
Read on for more about Ricky Wing’s healthy hair tips, debunked hair myths, and more.
His Earliest Hair-Related Memory:
My earliest hairstyling memory would be teaching myself how to braid during those middle school days. I had no idea how people did it, but I was always fascinated by the process. While I could perform advanced hairstyles, like silk presses and other techniques that were beyond my age, I couldn’t braid. I think that’s why it stands out as my earliest memory because it challenged me the most and instilled in me a sense of discipline. I spent hours practicing on my mannequin head.
His Favorite Part About What He Does:
What I love the most about what I do is that I’m able to inspire the younger creatives emerging in the industry and show them what heights you can achieve. Also, the point of view that I’m able to bring to the artistry because it can sometimes be looked at as ‘just hair,’ but it’s also expression, a means of storytelling, empowerment, and connection to our lineage. It’s not just the act of doing hair that I love, but the impact being left behind even if it’s as simple as bringing a smile to someone’s face.
The Products He Can’t Live Without:
As of right now I’m prioritizing any product that supports hair growth, hydration, and good scalp health, as well as heat protection!
His All-Time Favorite Hairstyles:
I specialize in various hair installations and techniques, but my favorite hairstyles to perform on my clients are those involving wigs. The versatility and endless looks and colors that wigs offer make them an excellent choice. They allow you to achieve different styles without causing any damage or strain to your natural hair.
His Top Tip for Healthy Hair:
Discipline and consistency: Healthy hair starts with both! Be disciplined enough to stick with a specific routine that prioritizes overall hair and scalp health, regularly maintain your hair, avoid styles that add stress and strain to your hair or hairline, and keep your hair hydrated.
A Hair Myth He’d Like to Debunk:
Dirty hair doesn’t grow faster. In fact, your hair is more prone to better growth when your scalp is clean and free from buildup.
What He’s Learned From His Clients:
Something that I’ve learned from my clients that has deeply moved me is that it’s perfectly okay to evolve—and just because something is changing or has changed doesn’t necessarily mean it was flawed. Hairstyles evolve, and so do people. That’s perfectly okay. Growth doesn’t happen by staying in one place.
What He Teaches His Clients:
Change is okay!
Where He Gets His Inspiration:
I get my inspiration from the women who raised me and the women I was surrounded by growing up in those beauty shops. But, also everyday life, the everyday woman, and sometimes even the men’s hair because there’s beauty in the different stories that are being told. Those stories can be taken and narrated in a different light to showcase a completely different vision.
The Deeper Meaning Behind His Work:
Hairstylists are healers and sometimes therapists because you don’t always know what a client is going through when they sit in your chair. I think just showing up and being yourself, being light, making jokes, and just having a simple conversation can indeed change the trajectory of somebody’s day and often heal something that you didn’t even know was going on.
Author: India Espy-Jones
Read the original article on Essence.
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