“I started rocking my natural hair in 2018.
But she didn't always feel comfortable with her hair. The style, which she describes as a combination of box braids in the back and cornrow braids in the front, takes about four hours to complete. On this hot afternoon, Hale methodically twists Gadson's hair into Fulani braids. "It's a time saver, it's convenient, it makes people feel more confident and beautiful."
Because, for us, I feel like everything is hard," said Hale. "For me, it's providing ease to Black women in particular. The stylist finds her work extremely gratifying. And pretty!" Gadson said while sitting in Hale's chair on a recent afternoon. "To be able to come, sit, relax, have a great conversation, and to have this unique hairstyle.
La Toya Gadson is going to Puerto Rico on vacation.īut first, before she leaves, she has an appointment at Braided by Liyah, a hair salon nestled in an Austin mall.Īs the name suggests, the salon is owned by Aliyah Hale, who specializes in braids.