‎

Black-owned businesses are inspiring a new generation of stylists on their beauty biz journey

At Boulevard, we’ve seen the massive influence that Black-owned beauty businesses have had on the industry, shaping trends and pushing the envelope of today’s culture. We’re proud to say that our platform is helping Black business owners and stylists provide an exceptional client experience and grow their businesses. Here are just a few of the Black-owned businesses that Boulevard has been fortunate enough to work with that are pushing beauty forward.

Hayah Beauty

Hayah Beauty is a natural hair salon based in Birmingham, Alabama. Hairstylist Darrius Peace has used more than twenty years of experience to develop Hayah Beauty’s unique styling method, which is an innovative way of working with natural, afro-textured hair. The salon’s signature styles demonstrate the method perfectly, honoring natural textures and classic looks while adding fresh twists. Hayah Beauty also carries a wide variety of products for natural hair, making it a one-stop shop for style and maintenance.

Peace has been vocal about his goals as a stylist through various mediums, speaking to news outlets and posting on social media platforms about uplifting clients through beauty services. If you want to see how he’s achieving that goal, some of Hayah’s techniques are available in a virtual classroom format.

BoldLash Esthetics Artistry

Master stylist and licensed esthetician Tammy Allen has crafted a world-class luxury salon experience for her clients at BoldLash Esthetics Artistry. The salon, which is based in Palm Beach, Florida, is dedicated to bringing out every client’s unique beauty through esthetic services, with a particular focus on lashes. BoldLash wears its values on its sleeve, promoting an atmosphere of self-care, self-love, and growth within its walls. The salon takes special care to help its stylists grow in their professional roles, setting them on the path to becoming the next generation of Black beauty leaders.

Naza Beauty

Looking for a gorgeous, Black-owned salon to visit in the city by the bay? San Francisco’s Naza Beauty salon has got you covered. The salon provides an assortment of styling services for natural hair, starting with crochet braids, cornrows, and box braids. All of Naza’s stylists are pros at making long hair appointments as breezy as possible, and respecting the client’s natural characteristics is an important part of what Naza does. The salon goes to great lengths to make sure every need is met, and every tender head is treated with care. On top of the expert service, Naza Beauty has a range of convenient perks and confections to enjoy while services are rendered. Whether their clients want to keep their phones charged while in the chair or sip on a hand-crafted drink, Naza Beauty’s excellent stylists will make it so. 

Threo Skin

Everyone needs help with their skincare routine from time to time, and the folks at Threo Skin are ready to provide. The LA-based spa has all sorts of revitalizing services for skin, plus relaxing essentials like full body massages. Threo Skin’s spot in the London-styled Burlington Arcade of Pasadena is picturesque, but the spa can help your skincare routine even if you aren’t local. Threo’s curated selection of high-quality skin care products is available to purchase directly from its website.

Nail Joy

Owned and operated by Meagan Joy Whitfield, Nail Joy is dedicated to connecting customers with toxic-free, cruelty-free, vegan products that ensure their nails look and feel great. Want to turn your nails into your next canvas for joyful self-expression, but you aren’t quite sure how to find the perfect designs to match your vibe? Don’t worry, Nail Joy’s got your back there too: The salon’s Instagram page is decorated with some of the top-tier work it has produced, so give it a follow if you’re after some creative inspiration.

Fleur De Lis

Brooklyn’s Fleur De Lis Beauty & Esthetics is a Medspa founded by a pair of sister clinicians dedicated to the belief that beauty isn’t just a look — it’s a lifestyle. The Medspa offers microneedling, chemical peels, Botox, and more, as well as a complete inventory of beauty products to keep clients feeling their best between appointments. While it’s a relatively young business, Fleur De Lis already earned a spotlight in the Wall Street Journal for its commitment to safely and responsibly serving its clientele throughout the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For salon owners, February is an excellent time to consider how the conversation surrounding Black beauty has evolved — but that consideration can’t end on March 1. The CROWN Act, despite receiving bipartisan support, failed to pass through the United States Senate for a second time in December 2022 — a setback, but far from the end of the fight. Until then, Black-owned beauty businesses continue to do their part and beyond in creating a beauty industry — and society — where equal representation is foundational.