Halle Bailey’s Hairstylist Tinisha Meeks on the Secret to Remodeling Her Locs

Just one phrase can describe Halle Bailey’s hair seems to be as of late: magical. The singer-turned-actress has been sporting fantastically intricate kinds on crimson carpets and journal covers, with every look showcasing the countless versatility of locs. For the Los Angeles premiere of The Little Mermaid, Bailey wore prolonged copper locs full with cascading curls. For the Australia premiere, she opted for a sculptural “loctail”. And we might be remiss to not point out the mesmerizing curly bob Bailey debuted on the Met Gala.

Tinisha Meeks is the architect behind Bailey’s ultra-cool hair transformations. The duo started working collectively whereas she starred in Freeform’s Grown-ish collection and clearly have continued to collaborate a ton since then. As somebody who began their loc journey almost two years in the past, I used to be keen to talk with Meeks about how she approaches styling Bailey’s locs. Forward, she shares her suggestions and methods and her ideas on Black hair in Hollywood.

What sparked your curiosity in hairstyling? 

I simply appreciated to do hair. Once I was small, Cabbage Patch dolls have been in style, and I used to braid individuals’s dolls’ hair for cash. As a 10-year-old youngster, I mentioned, “Wow, I am making about $200 per week.” From that time on, I knew I needed to do hair. I grew up watching exhibits like Moesha and needed to mimic the totally different hairstyles once I went to the sweetness retailers on Fridays. As soon as I spotted it might be a job, I needed individuals to really feel the identical in regards to the hairstyles I created.

When did you determine to tackle styling Black hair in Hollywood? What have been the challenges you confronted?

It was positively a journey. I did not have many Hollywood connections. Again within the early 2010s, social media wasn’t the largest software for artists like it’s now, and Hollywood wasn’t hiring a variety of Black hair stylists. Since then, it is gotten so much higher. Now we have made leaps and bounds to be acknowledged within the trade. After stepping into the hair union, the primary present I labored on was Scandal. Engaged on exhibits like Black-ish and Grown-ish, we have been in a position to see all of the creativity that is out on the earth.

You helped Yara Shahidi and Chloe and Halle showcase lovely pure hair seems to be whereas starring on Grown-ish. How did the chance come about?

I’ve to thank Kenya Barris for giving me the platform to do my factor and specific myself by hair. I labored alongside the division head, Araxi Lindsey, on Black-ish and did Yara’s hair. When Yara moved over to Grown-ish, Barris requested if I might hold doing my factor on Grown-ish as the pinnacle hairstylist. I bought to create the seems to be for the characters and put my vibe on them. I bought to indicate those who simply because you could have curly hair doesn’t suggest you may’t get the look you need.

It has been mentioned that Chloe and Halle have been initially uncertain of your talents to type their locs. What solidified their belief in you?

As soon as I did their hair the primary time, they mentioned, “She will get it; she will get me.” As I do with everybody, I listened to their wants and desires. I used to be in a position to allow them to specific who they have been and likewise be the characters they have been portraying. The extra we labored collectively, they trusted me to place my little spins on issues. That made the expertise and the connection superb.

Throughout her press run for The Little Mermaid, Halle has been dominating crimson carpets and journal covers with modern loc kinds created by you. The place do you draw inspiration to your seems to be?

I love to do seems to be that contain hair manipulation. Simply because Halle has locs doesn’t suggest she will be able to’t put on a method. I have a look at a method I like and do it along with her hair. I by no means see it as a problem.

What merchandise do you sometimes use on Halle’s hair? 

After all, we use merchandise from my model, Sparkle Hair Imports. I’ve a variety of merchandise that assist create the seems to be I do—[like the Diamond Drops and Hair Bomb]. I always remember the fundamentals, although—like an edge tamer, gel, and water.

What’s one piece of hair recommendation you have given Halle because you began working along with her? 

Wholesome locs are the most effective locs. We all the time do a superb detox, and I urge her to tie [her locs] up at evening [in a bonnet] as effectively.

What’s been your favourite look you have carried out on Halle to this point? 

Her Met Gala bob, for certain. Halle wore an attractive Gucci robe that reminded us of Outdated Hollywood, so we needed the hair to emulate that.

What is the secret to manipulating Halle’s locs to realize her kinds? 

First, begin with clear, wholesome hair, after which start the conventional technique of tightening the foundation. After we determine on a coiffure, I envision how to try this with locs. No matter it’s, whether or not it is a ponytail all the way down to the bottom, I discover a texture of hair that may combine along with her locs and feed it in. I do not ever go into my course of pondering that simply because she has locs, we will not get the look. A chunk of recommendation for anyone with locs: Should you like a coiffure, you may get it with locs.

Black hair is commonly topic to discrimination and stereotypes, however your seems to be have proven the sweetness and flexibility of Black hair. What are your ideas on the state of Black hair?

It is a privilege for me to do these kinds and present the world the fantastic thing about Black hair. It by no means seems like a burden difficult these stereotypes. I’ve the distinction of doing this each time. So if something, I problem myself. I am completely happy to do our hair. I really feel fortunate to do it. Irrespective of whose hair I am doing, it’s a labor of affection.

What’s your hope for the way forward for Black hair? 

I hope that we get the highlight. I hope individuals see how artistic we’re and know the hassle we put into our hair. However, most significantly, I need our individuals to really feel lovely. Whether or not in a salon or on the crimson carpet, I need our individuals to really feel lovely within the kinds created for them.