Image source: Lacy Redway
Lacy Redway is using her talents to redefine how natural hair is portrayed in Hollywood by empowering women to embrace their natural crown. For far too long, we’ve been told natural hair isn’t “professional, pretty, or good enough.” Lacy enjoys being able to show the true beauty and versatility of natural hair at even the most prestigious events to help change how natural hair is perceived.
“My favorite thing to do is put non-traditional hairstyles on the red carpet.” – Lacy Redway
Whether you knew it or not, you’ve seen her influence in the pages of magazines and on the red carpet, where she has worked with celebrities including Tessa Thompson, Amandla Stenberg, Yara Shahidi, Zazie Beetz, and Lupita Nyong’o to name a few. What makes her such a notable hairstylist, is her versatile skill set, name it and she can do it. From cascading curly updos, knee length box braids, sleek ponytails, and bedazzled baby hair– she can literally do it all, no matter the hair texture. Keep reading to learn more about Lacy Redway and the top tips she has for curly girls, plus how she’s using her platform to push forward and empower women around the world to love their natural hair.
Image source: Lacy Redway
What is your first hair memory?
I was born in Jamaica and came to the states when I was 8 years-old. Every Sunday, I would get my hair washed and styled by my sister who would do bantu knots, which would help dry my hair and also give me a style to wear throughout the week. Being that I’m a type 4 naturalista, doing bantu knot outs would help a lot with shrinkage.
What have been some of your most memorable moments in your career?
I was influenced by my sister and family to do hair, so it’s really been engraved in my DNA. Hair has always been a part of me, I was the girl in middle school doing everybodys hair. Braids and natural hair styles have always played a role in my love for hair. I started out as a braider because that was natural to me. As an immigrant that was my way to make my own money and be independent.
“One thing I would tell my 11 year-old self is to celebrate your differences.”
Image source: Lacy Redway
What do you enjoy most about working with celebrities?
I always stay as grounded as I can. By working with celebrities, together we get to influence culture. I’m truly blessed and highly flavored. There are so many things that can hold you back living in America, especially as an immigrant. I work with a lot of amazing women, but Tessa Thompson in particular definitely helps to influence culture by letting me experiment with fun natural hairstyles which now we see more of like the long braided ponytail and bedazzled baby hair. My favorite thing to do is put non traditional hairstyles on the red carpet.
What are the biggest misconceptions when it comes to natural hair and how are you using your voice to confront those ideas?
If you choose to use heat, use a heat protectant that includes key ingredients like argan oil, avocado oil or almond oil. Also, remember that the sun can cause damage to our hair, so in the warm weather use UV protective products. Lastly, hard water can also dry out our hair, consider shower filters.
Image source: Lacy Redway
Your recent Vogue features highlighted beautiful braided styles. Let’s talk about scalp care and caring for protective styles…. What are your key essentials to scalp care?
Back in the day we used grease, but I like to massage my scalp with oils like tea tree and lavender oil. Also, be sure to use clarifying shampoos at least once a week or every other week to avoid build up.
What are your top tips for healthy natural hair?
Healthy hair starts within, such as drinking lots of water, especially when traveling a lot. It’s important for the health of our hair and skin. Alos, getting regular trims and incorporating protective styles to tuck away your natural hair.
Image source: Lacy Redway
What are your top tips for maximum volume and definition for curly hair?
Diffuse upside down. Pin curl clips to lift the roots. Once your hair is dry, gently lift the roots with your fingers.
Use foam dry shampoo when you’re in a rush! It helps refresh your hair without the white residue that can get stuck in our hair. When I’m in a rush and running low on time that’s what I grab and always keep in my kit in case of emergencies.
Image source: Lacy Redway
What advice can you share to keep natural hair hydrated in the winter?
Use a generous amount of moisturizer such as creams and butters, doing a protective style and hair steaming as needed or once a weekly.
Image source: Lacy Redway
What inspires you to continue to elevate your craft and redefine how natural hair is represented, especially in Hollywood?
I feel so blessed that I have been put in this position to not only influence culture, but be an advocate. Coming up, I’ve been the only black woman in the room and to me that’s not what I want. I have a responsibility to help pave the way for women of color, we are the most underrated women in the country. I have to do so much more than my counterparts and I’ve gotten to the place as accepting that as the norm. I’m grateful to use my voice and platform to push forward. We have influenced culture from the beginning. I want to get to a place where black people aren’t a trend and we’re respected for our gifts.
I find that in the hair community, men have been seen as better creators and stylists. Thankfully with the spike of the natural hair movement, more women, especially black women are leading and creating hair products to pave the way and I’m grateful to be a part of this movement.
