51 Trailblazing Black Hairstylists Redefining The Trade

For those who’ve been following Zendaya on her Spider-Man: Model New Day international press tour, then you definately’ve seen Ursula Stephen’s meticulously laid pixie on the effortlessly trendy starlet and frequent consumer of Stephen’s. Ciara, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Rihanna have additionally been within the Fenty Hair international stylist’s chair. 

Affectionately generally known as “the Progress Guru,” Whitney Eaddy is the pure hair knowledgeable behind Her Rising Palms. A longtime skilled in pure haircare with a deep information of her craft, Eaddy is credited with delivering spectacular, wholesome hair progress amongst clientele who journey far and vast to go to her Addison, Texas salon. 

A veteran of the sport, Kim Kimble is a three-time Emmy Award-nominated hairstylist. She styled Halle Berry in B*A*P*S, Brandy in Cinderella, and Beyoncé in Austin Powers: Goldmember. A longtime collaborator of Bey, Kimble is the lady behind a few of Beyoncé’s most sickening hair moments together with the Lemonade visible album, Beychella, and the Black Is King visible album.

From Teyana Taylor’s beautiful Eritrean braids on the 2025 CFDA Style Awards to braiding Cardi B and her youngsters, Xia’s refined artistry goes hand in hand with scalp well being advocacy, supported by her personal product line for scalp well being and braid upkeep. The Braided New York salon proprietor counts everybody from Beyoncé to Mary J. Blige amongst her shoppers.

Ever since he created Victoria Beckham’s iconic bob, Larry Sims has turn out to be probably the most sought-after hairstylists in leisure. He’s in all places—crafting appears for Janet Jackson, Zendaya, Regina King, and buddy Gabrielle Union, with whom he co-founded Flawless by Gabrielle Union, a haircare line catering to textured hair.

Named considered one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Influential Hairstylists 4 years in a row, Vernon François’ accolades run deep. He got here up within the business championing the sweetness and flexibility of textured hair, and his affect has carried pure hair from the Oscars crimson carpet to trend editorial pages. His ongoing collaboration with The Odyssey actress Lupita Nyong’o most just lately manifested in her fiery ELLE cowl in promotion of the movie.

Kiyah Wright’s prolonged record of superstar clientele contains Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson, Ciara, and Naomi Campbell. The multi Emmy Award-winning hairstylist, businesswoman, writer, and educator has established herself as a sought-after business authority from leisure to haircare.

Acknowledged as a number one voice on pure and textured hair, this award-winning superstar hairstylist, educator, and founder is the powerhouse behind Issa Rae’s signature appears on HBO’s Emmy Award-winning Insecure. Hair acceptance is her mantra, as Leatherwood continues to form the cultural dialog round pure hair appreciation.

This South Florida braider usually goes viral for her TikTok movies of impromptu airport braiding periods. The founding father of Queen Boss Braids, Giszelle Williams focuses on knotless and sew braids whereas documenting her path to constructing her braiding enterprise from the bottom up.

The inspiration of Tookie’s model is next-level braiding approach and a signature aesthetic: seamless rows that stream and swirl, elaborate designs, and a flawless end. The Los Angeles braid artist, magnificence founder, and salon proprietor’s dedication to “soul care” and her creative imaginative and prescient have made Tookie Did it a must-visit vacation spot for shoppers throughout LA and past.

Ever since Tyla’s braided bob second brought on a stir, Mariam Kamara started providing the “Tyla Bob” on her service menu. The Brooklyn hairstylist herself went viral for her rendition of the hybrid sew-in bob. Kamara’s braiding artistry and love for her craft shine via each consumer who leaves her chair.

The originator of the enduring ivy braids, Susan “Susy” Oludele is a grasp braider, writer, and founding father of the Hair By Susy salon in New York and Los Angeles. From Beyoncé to Solange, Zoë Kravitz to Megan Thee Stallion, Susy serves unapologetic innovation that establishes tendencies for the business to comply with.

An authorized wig slayer, Tokyo Stylez has been Cardi B’s go-to hairstylist since 2016. From the “Fairly & Petty” rapper’s very demure blunt bob at Essence Fest 2026, to the numerous technicolor masterpieces which have turn out to be signature to the duo’s inventive partnership, Tokyo proves again and again that she’s in a position to flawlessly execute any temper that Cardi’s serving.

Dionte Grey is a strolling model and tastemaker who defies boundaries together with his smooth, modern strategy to hair. He’s branded “the Lace King” for a purpose. Grey is a go-to hairstylist for his knowledgeable wig lace-melting approach—reaching a seamless, pure end for shoppers like La La Anthony, Nicki Minaj, Angel Reese, Ice Spice, and extra.

Cliff Vmir is a self-made magnificence mogul with an enormous following—and at 29, he’s simply getting began. The wonder founder and superstar hairstylist serves thee ladies together with Teyana Taylor, Cardi B, and Megan Thee Stallion. Vmir continues to broaden his empire with the opening of his Atlanta salon.

It doesn’t matter what his bestie Megan Thee Stallion is channeling, Kellon Deryck is there to make the hair work. Whether or not the “Plan B” rapper is channeling a voluminous bombshell-blonde blowout or her signature blunt bangs, the superstar hairstylist and wonder ambassador is recreation. Deryck is an innovator too; he collaborated with Ghostbond to develop a tinted wig adhesive designed to attain “flawless melts” with out leaving a white forged.

Tym Wallace stays booked and busy, working with everybody from Mary J. Blige to Zendaya, Iman, and Taraji P. Henson. From styling mannequin Adut Akech for the Met Gala 2026 to getting Mary camera-ready for her look on the Jennifer Hudson Present, hair is Wallace’s ministry—and he delivers.

This hair legend is a longtime collaborator of Queen Bey herself, serving as lead international stylist for the enduring artist’s haircare model Cécred. From Bey’s moist and wild “Drunk in Love” bob, to her ultra-long braided ponytail on the “Formation World Tour,” to going platinum-blonde for her Cowboy Carter period—the Trinidadian hairstylist and salon proprietor is the person behind all of it. 

Helena Koudou has constructed a faithful following via her signature strategy to her craft. The Ivorian braider helped create the brief movie “The Hair Appointment,” a cinematic visible narrative capturing the African braiding expertise via Koudou and her household’s Brooklyn salon, Alima’s Hair Braiding.

Yene Damtew is finest identified for working with Michelle Obama, styling the previous First Woman’s tresses for guide excursions, inaugurations, and journal covers. The wonder knowledgeable, IAT Trichologist, and salon proprietor is featured alongside fellow hairstylist Njeri Radway in Mrs. Obama’s guide The Look, an intimate archive of her model evolution, together with her hair journey.

Michelle Obama’s longtime hairstylist Njeri Radway has been by our FLOTUS’ aspect because the White Home days. Submit-presidency, Mrs. Obama let go of the “political silhouette,” now embracing the complete vary of braided types, with Radway noting that sporting protecting types is about “freedom” in additional methods than one.

Nai’vasha is a celebrated hairstylist and founding father of Curl Queen, her eco-luxe haircare line for the complete vary of curly textures. The award-winning magnificence founder’s experience in pure hair has made Nai’vasha a trusted hairstylist whose clientele embrace Alicia Keys, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Yara Shahidi, to call just a few.

Jawara can work with any and each hair texture—however his ardour lies in bringing correct styling for Black hair to the style world. His styling philosophy treats hair as artwork and a mirrored image of tradition—as seen on Beyoncé, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Erykah Badu (the record goes on). As Jawara famously stated: “Black hair is probably the most versatile.”

Kayra Theodore pushes braiding into the realm of nice artwork. The Haitian-American hair artist flouts conformity by conjuring gravity-defying sculptural braided items, just like the one she created for influencer Nara Smith, a collaboration that was featured in Vogue.

Lacy Redway approaches hair with an artist’s eye, experimenting with form, kind, colour, and texture. She masterminded Teyana Taylor’s Basquiat-inspired sculpted updo for the 2023 CFDA Style Awards, and is the hairstylist behind Tessa Thompson’s braided cowboy hat. She does all of the “it ladies”—from Ayo Edebiri and FKA twigs to Chappell Roan, Tyla, Zazie Beetz, and plenty of extra.

Marcia Hamilton’s styling philosophy is that this: creating editorial-ready appears that remember the sweetness and flexibility of pure hair. The Emmy-nominated hairstylist is in all places—her work showing on movie and TV, crimson carpet appearances, and journal covers. From styling Willow Smith and Alicia Keys to Tracee Ellis Ross, Indya Moore, and Ruth Negga, Hamilton is a fixture in Hollywood.

Beyoncé revealed in a Cécred vlog that hairstylist Nakia Collins was integral in serving to Jay-Z preserve his hair well being whereas locking for over eight years. Collins was there all through Hov’s progress journey, till Bey made a second of buzzing Jay’s hair forward of his Cheap Doubt residency at Yankee Stadium, marking a return to the rapper’s iconic low-cut Caesar.

Branded “the Hair Prophet,” Coree Moreno is the superstar hairstylist behind Zendaya’s goddess braid on the NYC premiere of The Odyssey. Moreno is a drive—creating unforgettable appears for everybody from Teyana Taylor to Lil Nas X for the crimson carpet, editorial pages, and campaigns with Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, and Burberry.

Yusef Williams is a key participant behind Rihanna’s distinctive glam: with 20+ Vogue covers, a whole bunch of crimson carpet appearances, and campaigns throughout the sweetness mogul’s Fenty empire. Whether or not he’s adorning Rih’s hair with an ornate, Artwork Deco-inspired assertion piece to go along with her dazzling “It’s giving oyster” ensemble, or enjoying with cropped types on Tyla, the Miami-born hairstylist is famend for his inventive vary and expertise for execution.

Acknowledged for flawless wig artistry, Ricky Wing serves leisure business heavyweights together with Toni Braxton, Tems, Kelly Rowland, Summer time Walker, Monica, and Keke Palmer. His eye for element shines in each creation, like Monica’s Essence Fest 2026 look, for which Wing utilized a gold summary headpiece that coordinated with the singer’s gold-embellished two-piece swimsuit.

Named considered one of Curbed’s “finest colorists in New York,” Illeisha Lussiano is wanted for her knowledgeable colour work on all textures and curl patterns. The grasp colorist and proprietor of The Approach salon in Manhattan’s stylish SoHo neighborhood is thought for reaching beautiful hues on any texture, with a deep information of her craft.

At age 23, Jonathan Wright shot to fame as a celeb hairstylist with simply 4 years behind the chair. Even early in his profession, he styled main names like Megan Thee Stallion, Keke Palmer, SZA, and Blac Chyna. Six years later, he has saved that momentum going, garnering an enormous following together with his technicolor portfolio of knowledgeable hair coloring and wig work. 

Fesa Nu refers to herself as a hair poet “so that folks know what they’re going to get after they guide Fesa: you’re going to get some poetry.” The Houston native with South African heritage thrives within the avant-garde, creating wearable artwork that transcends the extraordinary.

Christèle Codo celebrates her household’s roots in Benin, Togo, and Ghana, touring between the West African international locations usually. As a hairstylist, Codo merges ancestral methods with trendy aesthetics to create transformative, boundary-pushing designs. She based Afro Èle hair studio to have fun in addition to safeguard Black and West African hair artistry and heritage.

This Houston loctician helped comb out Jay-Z’s wicks—a four-day course of that required loads of Bey’s Cécred detangling spray and deep conditioner. The touring loctician and trichologist specializing in holistic scalp well being offers the complete vary of loc care, from coloring to interlocking and wick restoration.

This Dominican-American pure hair specialist did Blue Ivy’s hair for the Met Gala and Renaissance World Tour, the place the then-11-year-old shut it down along with her more and more polished choreography with each present. Letisia Ravelo additionally styled Jay-Z’s afro in time for his live performance in Philadelphia, which he wore to honor his late father Adnis Reeves. 

A 3-time Emmy-nominated hairstylist and wig connoisseur, Theo Barrett serves leisure powerhouses together with Mary J. Blige, Tisha Campbell, H.E.R., and Michelle Williams. From crimson carpet glamour on the Met Gala to serving as key hairstylist on Sherri, Barrett delivers camera-ready appears for shoppers like Ari Lennox, Kandi Burress, and picture architect Regulation Roach.

Slayedbyplay brings refined precision and beautiful outcomes to shoppers throughout Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The touring hairstylist and wig artist’s stacked service menu affords full lace installs, customized wig creation, high-impact colour work, and braiding companies. 

This New Jersey-based hairstylist focuses on fast weaves and sew-ins. From satin-straight bundles to smooth, bouncy curls, Indulgence Magnificence’s installs give a pure end, permitting shoppers to maneuver freely and magnificence their hair as they need.

Based by grasp stylist Tierra Milton, this upscale Staten Island hair studio focuses on pure hair care, hair loss therapies, and companies for alopecia. Additionally they provide braiding, extensions, and customized wigs, making a vacation spot salon the place luxurious hair care and wholesome hair experience meet.

Kaleel Pleasure is a Los Angeles hair skilled in demand for his knowledgeable wig installs. The previous instructor turned Hollywood hairstylist focuses on pure hair care, customized wig creation, and weaves—working with everybody from Olandria and Bia to Lil Kim and Saweetie.

Jamika Wilson received the Academy Award for Greatest Make-up and Hairstyling for Ma Rainey’s Black Backside, turning into the primary Black lady to take action together with fellow hairstylist Mia Neal, who additionally labored on the movie. Dwelling by the mantra “hair is an artwork kind,” Wilson has been working with Viola Davis since 2008, styling the EGOT recipient’s hair for movie initiatives, crimson carpet appearances, movie premieres, and extra. 

Having secured an Academy Award for the movie Ma Rainey’s Black Backside, Mia Neal can also be a history-making Hollywood hairstylist. As a celebrated wig designer with a theater background, the BAFTA and Emmy winner continues to push boundaries and set the usual for excellence in wig design.

A star hairstylist, writer, and speaker, Monaè Everett is thought for her experience throughout all textures, styling everybody from Mariah Carey to Viola Davis, Indya Moore, and Danai Gurira. The hair visionary additionally champions neighborhood, because the founding father of the Texture Model Awards and Monae Life Academy, an area for mentoring the following technology of magnificence professionals. 

Based mostly in Atlanta, KB affords a variety of wig companies—whether or not you’re feeling a flip-over fast weave with curl and bounce or a satin-straight end. She additionally affords non-public lessons, instructing her methods for fast weave, tape-in, frontal installs, and extra.

Except for being a celeb hairstylist and wig grasp, Alonzo Arnold is an eclectic trend queen, usually serving scroll-stopping glam on our IG feeds. Arnold can also be the founding father of Wigalicious, providing premium hair extensions in quite a lot of lengths, textures, and hues.

Cherie Amor is an business veteran whose experience reaches past superstar hairstyling. She found her ardour for serving to others heal via the facility of hair, founding Rebirth of Amor, which affords customized wigs, styling, and scalp remedy to shoppers dwelling with thinning hair, alopecia, most cancers, and lupus.

Tai Simon’s consumer roster is lengthy: Kelly Rowland, Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Naomi Campbell, and Tyra Banks are among the many Hollywood A-listers who’ve sat in her chair. The Los Angeles hairstylist, with roots in Baltimore and Chicago, can also be a magnificence founder, extending her affect past hairstyling into product innovation.

Greg Gilmore is a reduce and colour knowledgeable who has styled Toni Braxton, Tiffany Haddish, Storm Reid, and Nicole Ari Parker. His deep schooling and expertise have positioned the hairstylist, educator, and salon proprietor as considered one of LA’s’ high coloring consultants for textured hair.