One of the most intimate relationships a person can have is with their hairdresser. From sharing hot gossip to opening up about personal issues, the importance of having a stylist you can trust is often overlooked. That is what Vee Vargas, Latinx founder of the Bay Area salon Be Here, is trying to change with her non-profit apprenticeship program Be Infinite.
Vargas has been a hairstylist for over 12 years, and during her career she’s learned that creating a safe space is necessary when working with hair, especially for marginalized communities like sexual assault survivors, BIPOC individuals, and LGBTQIA+ folks. However, many hairstylists aren’t given education on how to do this. To fill this need, Vargas created Be Infinite, a cosmetology apprenticeship program that provides trauma-informed education to the next generation of luxury hair stylists. “For some clients, even wrapping the cape around their necks too tight can be triggering,” Vargas says. “Some clients even come in with trauma from their past stylist.”
Be Infinite partners with various local non-profit programs that identify passionate cosmetology candidates who are interested in working in the luxury hair industry. These candidates are selected to participate in a two-year apprenticeship program that ensures full licensure. The trauma-informed education they receive helps them understand how to avoid re-traumatization while providing support.
When it comes to finding the right stylist for your needs, Vargas suggests these tips.
- Do your research. It’s important to understand the environment in the salon. Look through the salon’s website and social media pages to see what their staff promotes.
- Schedule a consultation. If you’re seeing a new stylist for the first time, ask to schedule a brief consultation to see if you’re a fit before committing.
- Ask questions. “Use the consultation time to your advantage,” Vargas says. Come prepared with questions. Being able to connect with your hairstylist ensures they can provide you with their best service to help you look beautiful in a stress-free zone.
