By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A new Hays stylist will be specializing in braiding and care for hair of men and women of color.
LaTonya Richardson, 38, of Hays will be opening Twisted by Graffetti at 3310 Vine, Ste. 20, in late spring or early summer. The salon will be next to Qdoba.
She is a 2022 graduate of the Hays Academy of Hair Design but has been braiding for years. She started braiding her own hair when she was 20. Her brother encouraged her to attend cosmetology school.
Richardson is a Chicago native and moved to Hays from Wichita in 2020 for work. She has a 7-year-old daughter and her son, Royal, is graduating from Hays High School in a few weeks.
Her specialty is braiding, twisting and locking. However, she will have all salon services available, including, cuts, nails, waxing, lashes and color.
Richardson said stylists who can braid are lacking in this area. During her schooling, she began building a solid client list.
The salon also will carry products, which she said is another area that is lacking for men and women of color in this area. Richardson said she has had to go as far as Wichita to buy the products she needs for styling her hair.
The cost of locs and braiding varies with the desired style. Natural loc styles start at $30 and butterfly locs start at $200, according to her website.
Richardson offers bohemian box braids, rope twists, knotless box braids and natural hair braids. You can learn about pricing on her website. Hair and shampooing are included in the prices.
Richardson has a passion to educate women about the care and styling of their hair. She said it builds confidence.
"I think it's the lack of education that makes them not want to deal with their hair," she said.
She said she struggled with her own hair. She pulled it back and used chemical relaxers, which is very damaging.
She experimented with different products and styles, and she began to love her hair more and more.
She said more women of color would feel the same if they better understood the makeup of their hair and how they can maintain it.
"Every time someone steps in my chair, they're not only getting a hairstyle, they're getting an education as well," Richardson said.
She said she asks her clients questions to help them fit their hairstyles to their lifestyles.
"I think when your hair is made up, you do have this type of self-confidence," Richardson said. "You walk a little different. You talk a little different. Your attitude is different. I think that is one part of you being the best you can be."
She wants to build her clients up and put a smile on their faces, she said.
"I don't see this as I job because I love it," she said. "I would do this all day every day if I could."
This is Richardson's first time owning a business.
She is looking for other stylists who wish to rent stations in the salon, which can accommodate four to eight stations. She hopes to offer classes for other stylists who would like to learn how to braid.
Hours will be 10 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays.
You can also follow her on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
You can call her at 785-259-2716 or go to her website to book appointments. Appointments are preferred for braiding services.