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Hair Maven Dominique Evans Provides Therapy For The Hair While Also Healing The Soul
For black women, going to the hair salon has historically been the epicenter of our lives. It is the place where you can get your hair "did" and learn all the juicy gossip at the same time.
It's a place of fellowship as women from all walks of life come together to receive the same glorious feeling, the feeling of a new 'do. As times changed, so have some of the standard practices of salons, and even hairstylists. While we search for a hairstylist to provide attention to our needy roots, some stylists are unfortunately in search of a quick buck and don't take the time to provide the tender love and care our hair needs. In fact, there have been a few articles over the years slamming those types of stylists calling it the "black salon culture."
But there are some stylists like Dominique Evans who are going the extra mile to provide the best care and experience possible for their client's hair and heart.
Dominique is a Milwaukee-bred celebrity master hairstylist who, after moving around a lot with her son, decided to make Atlanta her new home. She comes from a line of hairstylists and uses her gift as a way to not only make her clients shine on the outside, but most importantly shine through from within. "Growing up, I had low self-esteem and I think that [working as a hairstylist] kinda helped me get over my personal issues. Sometimes you can look the part but don't feel it and vice versa, so I'm just inspired by making people feel beautiful and I love what I do. It comes from my heart and I try to make a difference in their lives," she says.
"Sometimes you can look the part but don't feel it and vice versa, so I'm just inspired by making people feel beautiful and I love what I do."
Making a difference in the lives of other women through hair is a responsibility that Dominique takes great pleasure in. Since a little girl, she has always been a "pusher," you know the friend that always uplifts others around her. Because of her keen ability to dive below the surface, clients who might have entered the salon full of insecurities, end up leaving her chair with their heads held high ready to conquer anything. "A lot of hairstylists don't tap into the soul and for me, I like to tap into their soul and it's effortless because I'm being myself and I feel like it's my purpose. God put me on this earth to help other people," she states firmly.
While being a successful hairstylist for 10 years, it was only after her move to Atlanta where she began experiencing revelations about herself and her career. The first year was the hardest as she struggled to get herself established in the Atlanta market. "When I first got to Atlanta, I believe I was at 50,000 followers on my Instagram and all the people who were excited to see me came, but after that, it was like everybody that was following me got their hair done already. The six months that followed, I struggled and I sacrificed. I slept on the floor for a full year, my son had his bed, [and] I worked hard," she recalls.
Having to start over and build a steady clientele in a fresh city felt insurmountable, but it was something that Dominique had to do. Though she had grown up and began the early stages of her bloom while in Milwaukee, it became clear that actively pursuing her dreams meant moving to Atlanta. "I was gonna be at a standstill in Milwaukee and there are so many people watching me and inspired by me and I just want to let people know that if you are disciplined in the things that you do, it doesn't matter, you're gonna make it."
And make it she did.
Along with a hair salon, she recently launched a new product and wig line, Hair Art by Dominique that includes 24 products and four systems for natural hair, hair growth, moisture and hydration, and dry, itchy scalp. She also has her fabulous clientele, which includes reality star and entrepreneur Toya Wright and gospel extraordinaire Tasha Cobbs. She positively believes both Toya and Tasha were God sent. "Toya would shout me out on her hair page and so when I moved to Atlanta, I knew I was gonna one day do her hair. Long story short, she reached out to me on Instagram and when I got to her house, I said, 'What took you so long?' and she was like 'Huh?' Because God already gave me the vision and ever since then, I just started doing her hair."
Her encounter with Tasha was much more dramatic. As previously mentioned, Dominique was having a hard time adjusting to life in Atlanta and it took a toll on her spirit. One of the ways she worked to restore her spirit was by listening to gospel music on repeat, particularly Tasha Cobbs. But at the time, she didn't know it was Tasha who was singing the song she worshipped to every day and when she discovered that she was sitting in her chair one day, her life changed forever.
"I knew she (Tasha) was a gospel singer, but I didn't know that she was the one that sang the song I would worship to. How I found out was, she was sitting in my chair and she pulled up an interview on her phone and I'm not even gonna lie, I probably shouldn't of been nosey, but I looked down at her phone at the interview and it had the song playing in the background, the same song I've been worshipping to, and I said 'Please don't tell me you sing that song,' and she said 'Yeah,' and I just broke down," she shares. "I couldn't believe she was sitting in my chair and I knew it had to be God, that He placed somebody in my life to help me get through what I was going through and ever since then, she never went to anybody else and it's been two years. She took me to the Stellar Awards, NAACP Awards, the BET Awards, everything that I ever dreamed of. Tasha helped me fulfill my dreams."
"Tasha helped me fulfill my dreams."
Though Dominique works as a stylist, helping her clients deal with heartache, pain, suffering or conquering their fears, she had no idea that she would be the one to receive healing from a client who happened to be one of the biggest voices in gospel music. But that's exactly how it happens sometimes. It's the people or situations you least expect that can lead you to greatness.
"Sometimes the people that are close to you don't really uplift you the way you want and sometimes it takes a stranger to uplift you. Just the other day, a girl (her client) started a dance team, but she was scared and I kinda pushed her to do it and she told me, 'Every time I come to you, I get what I need.' And if you got more than five or six people telling you this, then I know I'm doing something right."
Follow Dominique on Instagram @hairartbydominque or check out her products hairartbydominique.com.
London Alexaundria is the contributing editor for xoNecole. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Mass Media Arts and has worked in journalism for over ten years. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @theselfcarewriter
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."