the first time I saw my grandmother braid her hair, I was instantly astonished. The way she maneuvered her hands as she glided the hair between each finger, overlapping each strand of hair onto the next, was so delicate and precise. The finished braid dangled down her back, reaching all the way to her waistline, it reminisced that of a princess, from the storybooks I had seen. I knew only after moments of watching her, this was something I had to accomplish; easier said than done.
I wanted to recreate the look of the braid. My grandmother made it look so simple. The momentum of her hands was quick, and before I knew it the braid was finished. I remember thinking that this couldn’t be too difficult, as I reflected on her brief demonstration. I was eager to try when I picked up the strands of hair, my hands felt tight, my fingers were stiff, and the position of my hands felt foreign. I picked up the comb and stared into the mirror, I grabbed chunks of my hair and started twisting; the hair slipped from my short stubby fingers over and over again. I became frustrated and discouraged after several minutes, and for the first time, I felt defeated. This process was going to take time and I needed to be patient.
My first…
The patience and techniques that I used to learn my first braid, I applied in learning other methods of hair design. I dedicated extra time into my passion for hair and acquired a part-time job at a local salon. I was soon able, to style any hair from just a glance of a photo. Family and friends began asking for my assistance on special occasions, such as; dates, proms, and graduations. I was excited to practice what I had learned from my past and create new looks for people on their special days. My work and progression transformed hair from a simple childhood hobby into a desire to pursue a professional career as a hair…
