New York-based celebrity hair stylist, Nai’Vasha Johnson is all brains and creativity when it comes to hair maintenance. Hers is the name behind some of the most iconic hair styles ever seen on red carpets in the USA.

Nai’Vasha, who specializes in natural hair, hair colour, wigs and men’s grooming, has a long list of celebrity clientele which include Yara Shahidi, Sasha Lane, Uzo Aduba, Logan Browning, Lakeith Stanfield, John Legend and Common.

She was in Nigeria for GTBank Fashion Weekend Master Class, speaking on ‘How to Express Yourself Through Hair’. In a brief chat with Allure, Johnson dished out tips about hair styles and the importance of hair management by Nigerian women.

What do you look out for before picking hair styles for clients?

First of all, I know what you do for a living. Are you a banker, an artiste or a stay-at-home mum? What is it that you do? What would work for you? Because you can’t keep your hair up if it’s not convenient for you. Once I figure out what you do, we can then start discussing styles that would fit and be convenient for your personality.

Some hairs are not suitable for some face shapes. How true is that?

I don’t think so. I think it’s the styling. How you style your hair matters. It can alter how your face appears.

Is this the first time you’re attending a fashion show in Nigeria?

Yes. It is. And, the first time I taught Master Class.

What are those important things people should know about their hair and styling?

Your regime. What you do? Do you work out? How often? How do you like to dress? Do you want just edgy or super edgy styles? Or, you want to step out stylish? What are those things you like and don’t? With all these information, your hair stylist would be able to pick a fitting style for you.

Does working out help the hair grow well?

I don’t think so because I don’t even work out. If you work out all the time, your hair would be sweaty a lot. That means you have to be straightening and blow drying your hair all the time. In the short run, you would end up with a lot of damage to your hair.

Comparing Nigeria to New York where you are from, what are the differences in terms of hair management?

There are a lot of differences. I think hair care management is a missing component here in Nigeria compared to New York. We need to educate people on how to take care of their natural hair. I think if we do that, you’d start seeing more Nigerian women wearing their natural hair instead of weaves and wigs and even braids.

They will start having and celebrating their own hair kits. And rock a healthy hair.

Why did you opt for hair styling as a career?

It has always been a part of me. After college, I went into real estate. When it crashed in 2007, it was difficult to manage my family with such low income I was getting at that time. So, I went back to what I loved – hair.

I just started from there. I have a passion for hair. It had always been in me. Even if I were to be offered millions of dollars to leave hair styling and do something else, I’ll turn it down. Because, I know I can blow a million dollars in a year. Even if I venture into another field, I won’t feel fulfilled.