November 19, 2024 • 39 mins
Naeemah LaFond, a celebrated editorial hairstylist, is not just styling hair but shaping the future of the beauty industry. Her journey from a court clerk to working alongside icons like Beyoncé and Amapiano singer Tyla is a testament to her passion and dedication. Naeemah's journey in the hair industry is heart driven and intentional, this extends to all that she does, including her partnerships. Learn how Naeemah’s partnership with the global haircare brand Olaplex emphasizes her belief in the importance of science-backed products, particularly for textured hair. She believes that such initiatives are essential in the movement to creating an inclusive industry.
Naeemah shares compelling stories about overcoming challenges and underestimations, turning them into opportunities to mentor aspiring Black women hairstylists and create a supportive community in beauty and fashion campaigns.She also shares her definition of success or fulfillment, which is an inspiring takeaway for all aspiring stylists and all who listen. Join us and discover the what the future of hair care looks like.
LINKS AND MENTIONS
Olaplex
Naeemah on Insta: @naeemahlafond
Amapiano Star @tyla
Beyoncé's hair brand @cecred
For more info on Naeemah's work, visit her website https://naeemahlafond.com
NEWSLETTER, stay in the loop and subscribe to our newsletter
SUPPORT this work so that we can keep it free. Become a MONTHLY SUPPORTER
LISTEN ON Apple and Spotify
FOLLOW US ON Instagram and Facebook
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (00:04):
Hello and welcome to Shades and Layers
.
I'm your Kutloano Skosana Ricci.
Today I'm in conversation withNew York-based editorial
hairstylist to celebrities,global educator and textured
hair advocate, naima Lafond,with signature magazine cover
(00:25):
looks that celebrate bigtextured hair and working with
celebrities like Amapiano star,tyler and Beyonce on the launch
of her hair brand Sacred.
It goes without saying thatwhen she speaks, the industry
listens.
Naima's signature looks, whichdraw inspiration from the
African continent andincorporate her Haitian roots,
have recently landed her anambassador role at the global
hair brand Polar Pets.
(00:45):
We talk about why thispartnership matters, especially
at this moment in the evolutionof the natural hair conversation
.
We cover a wide range of topics, including her role as educator
in the industry, her aptlynamed masterclass Texture on Set
and her recently launchedmentorship program.
So, without further ado, let'sget into the conversation with
(01:07):
Naima Lafond.
Naeemah LaFond (01:09):
My name is Naima Lafond.
I am a hairstylist, an educator, I'm a platform artist.
I'm also a global ambassadorfor Olaplex.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (01:18):
Great.
So the reason why we arespeaking is because of Olaplex,
and I just wanted to get thingsstarted off there.
So what I've noticed about yourcareer journey is that it's
very intentional, including yourpartnerships.
How did this partnership comeabout with Olaplex and why is it
important to your evolution asan artist?
Naeemah LaFond (01:40):
Well, olaplex approached me last year and I
was honored, honestly, because Ihave admired Olaplex from afar
for years, just watching theinnovation and how focused.
But now, with the launch ofBond Builder and watching
(02:07):
Olaplex really come out withmore styling focused and curl
focused products, I do see thesynergy there and it all makes
sense because I'm a veryingredient focused person, I
love science backed products andI think that's something that's
been missing in the beautyspace for black hair, for
textured hair.
So once I heard about thispartnership, I really thought it
(02:30):
was a great fit for me for sure.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (02:31):
Yeah.
So speaking of you know product, I mean this you've been in
this hair business for manyyears now and there have been a
few changes in the industry.
So, in terms of you knowproduct availability, how have
you, how has that shift beenfrom your standpoint?
What have you observed?
That's very significant,particularly for people with
(02:52):
textured hair.
Naeemah LaFond (02:53):
I've definitely noticed that the industry is
embracing textured hair productsmore, embracing the innovation
behind that and doing moreproduct development research for
textured hair, which isimportant, and I see that
continuing to grow.
I love that trajectory because,like I said, it's something
that I see that we've beenmissing and I think the whole
(03:13):
you know everything thathappened in 2020 really set the
groundwork for that and we'rejust seeing the work come to
play.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (03:23):
Yeah, so this is perhaps one of the more
meaningful changes that havehappened in terms of inclusion
in the hair industry.
I think it's very expensive theway you've explained it, but if
you can, just yeah, just saywhat does it mean to be
inclusive as a brand in thishair space?
Naeemah LaFond (03:43):
To me, inclusion as a brand really means having
Black people, people of color,in the room where decisions are
being made.
It's not just about what we'reseeing in the campaigns, what
we're calling the products, whatwe're saying the intention is.
The true intention shows itsface in the boardroom.
(04:06):
I think that's what's important, and the meetings that are
being had about certain products, like.
I think that's where theinclusivity needs to happen,
that's where it's most important, because that trickles down.
So for me, really, inclusion isall about how brands are
pulling in creators, pulling inscientists, pulling in product
(04:27):
developers, pulling in peoplethat have, you know, the beauty
background, but also are peopleof color that can speak to how
these products work with ourhair, which it's so important
because it's not the same.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (04:43):
No, absolutely.
I had a conversation recentlywith Shalita Grant I don't know
if you know her, she's anactress in CIS and the one thing
that she mentioned was, youknow, being on set, on a
television set, is particularlychallenging for actresses of
color.
She mentioned productavailability and that was a big
(05:05):
thing that you know, stylistsactually very often do not have
the right products, especiallyin those environments.
Would you say that there aremore options available now?
Or you know, slow going, what'shappening?
Naeemah LaFond (05:17):
there.
It's the stylist having theknowledge to put those products
in their kit, put them on theirstands, on their makeup stands,
their hair stands, to show theclient, the person sitting in
the chair, like it's a safespace.
I have products for you,because texture products that
(05:38):
are catered to texture are not anew thing.
Right, we're developing them,but it's not new.
So there is really no excusewhere, you know, a black actress
comes on set and there'snothing that caters to her hair.
It's really about thehairdresser having the education
to know okay, I need to havethis, this and this for her, I
need to make sure I have oils, Ineed to make sure I have heat
(06:01):
protectant spray, I need to makesure I have edge control, I
need to make sure I have somelike braiding products, all of
those things that cater totextured hair.
Understanding that is key.
When I teach about texturedhair, that's the first thing I
address.
We have to understand whatwe're using and why.
Before you even put your handsin the hair, you have to
(06:22):
understand that the productsthat you pick up are important,
the products that a client justsees, because that's the first
impression as soon as she sitsin the chair.
She's looking at what you haveand before you've even said a
word, she knows whether it's asafe space or it's not.
And you've said a whole essaywithout even opening up your
(06:42):
mouth.
So it's so important to likelay out those products that she
feels like oh, wow, like okay,they have curl products.
They have products for, like, ifmy hair is pressed, they have
products for heat protection.
All the things are there thatmake the client feel safe, and
that's what's important Justhaving that knowledge first, to
know what products to use.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (07:03):
Speaking of knowledge and education,
that was the other area that youknow most of my conversations
has been about that.
You know, cosmetologists arenot trained in caring for
textured hair in the first place.
But there's also anotherdevelopment, hopefully starting
to address that the passing ofthe Crown Act.
Yes, do you think that there ismovement towards actually
(07:26):
realizing the crown act?
Yes, it is legislation, but dopeople actually start respecting
it now, or what's uh, what'syour take?
Naeemah LaFond (07:34):
well, I feel like we we've had this
conversation like just as likeblack people, people with
textured hair for like manyyears.
Right, it's a conversationwe're having it within our
circles about going to work andnot being able to, like, wear
your hair in its natural state.
I think I did this Cosmointerview.
I think it was 2017, 2018.
(07:55):
And the title of the articlewas I'm wearing my Afro to work.
Deal with it Like yes.
Yeah, and it's like that's athat was a big deal at the
moment, like yeah, yeah.
Just wear your hair out as islike.
And, honestly, even at the time, I was like shocked at the
title, like wow, that's like.
Of all the things that I said,that was the main takeaway, but
(08:17):
it was.
It's just something that we'vebeen dealing with for a long
time.
I am I don't know if you knowthe change is welcomed or not,
but black women, women withtextured hair, are embracing it
and they're going to work withit.
I think, whether the powersthat be like it or not, it's a
change that's happening.
We are really moving forwardand saying like this is this is
(08:40):
how I wear my hair.
I wear the braids, I wear thefro, I wear the twists, I wear
the dreads.
I'm going to continue to wearmy hair.
I wear the braids, I wear thefro, I wear the twists, I wear
the dreads.
I'm going to continue to wearmy hair like.
This Legislation is importantbecause, in all fact, people are
losing jobs over things likethis.
People are getting kicked outof school.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (08:55):
So, yes, change is happening, but it
also, I think, requires us totake a stand and also just show
up.
Yeah, absolutely, and you know,this is the key thing, like
hairstyle preferences and I willsay, preferences in air quotes,
because you cannot do what youdon't see and you don't know
(09:17):
that it's an option if you don'tsee it in reality.
Do you think that there's beena change, or what has been the
most remarkable change in termsof customer preferences, you
know, in terms of hairstylesproducts, attitudes the like.
Naeemah LaFond (09:30):
Definitely.
I do see that customers clientsare more open to wearing their
natural hair and I think it'sbecause of the product
innovation, what they're seeingjust like for the new Bond
Builder products, for example,that Olaplex has recently come
out with that allows clients towear their texture and really
(09:50):
highlight their texture.
That's something where you'reexplaining that to a client and
they're like oh, okay, Like thisis something that's not trying
to smooth it out or straightenit or revert it in a different
direction.
It's really trying to highlightmy curl pattern.
We're seeing more things likethat being celebrated, so I
think it's making the clientfeel comfortable to say, yeah, I
want my hair like that.
(10:10):
So the more we have thatinnovation, that product
innovation that celebratestextured hair, the more
comfortable and more confidentclients will be in wearing their
textured hair.
Because product is important,right?
Like if I say I want to wear myhair straight and smooth but
there's not a heat protectant ora smoothing product that is
going to keep it that way, thenI'm not really going to feel
(10:33):
confident to go to the salon andask for that look.
Or vice versa, If I say I wantto wear my hair curly and big
and defined and you know, I want, like my curls, to be bouncy
and not stiff and dry.
I want to be confident inknowing I can go to the salon
and ask for that and they notonly they can do it, but they
have the products to support it.
So it's really products tosupport the things that we want
(10:55):
is so important.
It goes hand in hand.
Like we can say, we want towear our hair natural and, you
know, just go to work as is andbe and live in our full texture.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (11:09):
But the beauty industry has to be there
to support that as well.
Hey, it's Chasen Layers.
I'm speaking to Naima Lafont,editorial hairstylist, global
educator and textured hairadvocate.
It's always interesting to findout what sparks people's career
choices and up next we get intothat as well as Naima's
personal hair journey and howshe landed the first gig that
(11:31):
got her into the hair industry.
You are doing your bit in termsof supporting this industry.
I know you've been running amasterclass, you've got a
mentorship program, so talk tome about the evolution of your
career into the educationalspace.
Naeemah LaFond (11:47):
Well, I've.
I'm a career educator.
I've been an educator for manyyears.
I started off actually doingwork on set.
I did that for a few years andthen I started working with
brands as creative director, asartistic director, and that
allowed me to travel the worldto teach and also help launch
(12:09):
brands and launch products andexplain how products are used
and how they can be used in alldifferent types of hair.
And I think you know it's a newthing to talk about that, but
it's it's been my life's work,honestly where I'm like we don't
need a product to say curl onit to be able to be used on
curly hair.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (12:30):
Right.
Naeemah LaFond (12:34):
We can go beyond the curl products.
Our hair is so versatile, itcan do so many things.
That's one thing that I'vetaught for so many years that
you can pick up the texturespray and put it on textured
hair.
It's what it's going to do tomy hair.
It's just going to make itbigger.
You know like it's going togive a reaction, the end result,
(12:55):
I feel like oftentimes peopleare like oh, with curly hair,
everyone wants you know.
Like everything in place,perfectly coiled, like that's
not everyone's, you know ourhair slick back, we wear it
curly, we we do so manydifferent things and there are
so many different products thatcan do that.
It's not just about a productthat says curl on it right.
(13:17):
So, as a career educated, it'ssomething that I've been so
passionate about um, and then Istarted doing this masterclass
last year where I wanted tofocus on texture on set, and
that's what it's called.
It's called texture on set.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (13:31):
And.
Naeemah LaFond (13:31):
I've gotten so much support from the industry
that it became more than amasterclass.
It's become a hair show, soit's like this texture hair show
.
We're going to do it again in2025.
Olaplex is our title sponsor.
I'm so excited for the supportbehind this.
We have so many great brandscoming on board to support and
(13:54):
it really shows the evolution ofthe industry and wrapping their
arms around texture educationand understanding the importance
behind that.
We know like we want to sellproduct to everyone and in order
to do that, we have to teacheveryone how to use product on
everyone.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (14:11):
So that brings me to your hair journey,
your personal hair journey andhow you would describe that.
You know.
Have you always been confidentin your texture?
Is it something you've learnedalong the way?
How would you talk about that?
Naeemah LaFond (14:25):
I've always been confident, like I'm a Brooklyn
girl.
I grew up in Brooklyn in theeighties and and we, you know,
there's the round the way salons.
Everyone's doing somethingdifferent.
We're frying, dying, laying tothe side, it's all kinds of
stuff.
So throughout my life I've wornmy hair in so many different
ways and feel confident about it.
(14:46):
For me, it's an accessory, it'sa piece I love to play.
I love to do different things.
Go blonde Nice yeah, I love toplay with hair and I really want
women to have that freedom allwomen, I know we're embracing
curl, we're embracing textureand that's so important, but at
(15:08):
the same time, women are not amonolith.
Black women are not a monolith.
We should be allowed to playand do all different kinds of
things with our hair, and that'sjust how I've lived my life.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (15:19):
Yeah, that's great.
And how did you know that?
This is for sure what I want todo, like you know?
When did you get you know thattingling feeling, that, whoo,
this is exactly what I'm doingwith my life?
Naeemah LaFond (15:30):
Well, I think the tingling feeling well, I got
the tingling feeling like assoon as I stepped on set and
started doing hair.
I'm like, wow, this is, peopledo this for a living.
This is crazy, but for me, whenit started to feel like purpose
and passion came together waswhen I started to be outspoken
(15:51):
about inclusivity and diversityin hair.
That's when I felt like whatI'm feeling on the inside and
what I do for work are trulymeshing, because it's
conversations that I'm having,things that I'm so passionate
about.
But then I get into spaces andI'm like I can't say that here.
But once.
I set myself free and vocalizedwhat I felt.
(16:13):
That's when work and my heartreally meshed and I felt like,
ooh, the tingles like this isexactly what I need to be doing.
This is my life's purpose,really.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (16:25):
Great.
And how did you land that firstgig on set?
Naeemah LaFond (16:29):
So my best friend at the time I was, I
think, maybe 22 or 23.
The best age.
She was an aspiring model andshe's like I'm going to do this
thing called a test shoot and Ididn't know what that was.
She's like me, a photographer,a makeup artist.
We're all getting together andjust doing a photo shoot so that
we can all get pictures for ourportfolios.
(16:51):
And at the time I had afull-time job.
I was a court clerk at theBrooklyn district attorney's
office.
After college, I was doing, Iwas, I had my serious job.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, what I wasdoing, I was, I had my serious
job and I was like, sure, I'lldo this for fun.
She asked me because I was theone in college.
I was like doing everyone'shair before parties or before
(17:13):
like school events.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (17:14):
So I was the girl doing hair in the dorm
.
Naeemah LaFond (17:17):
So she came to me and asked me to do that and I
went with her and I was justblown away that people do this
for work.
And I went with her and I wasjust blown away that people do
this for work.
I was just like I just do this,for I was just doing this for
fun for years.
I can't believe this is like acareer.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (17:31):
I can't earn a living yet.
Great, and do you have any?
You know?
Memorable or bizarre, whateverincidents on set that you know
come back to you and you think,oh my goodness, I can't believe
that happened without gettingsued.
Naeemah LaFond (17:49):
Yeah, I mean there's a lot of times where
I've been on set and peopleeither don't include me or don't
, or assume that I'm in thewrong place or I'm not who I am.
I do remember once I was Ithink it was my first my first
big photo shoot.
I showed up early because I'mlike so excited laid my kid out,
(18:11):
had everything laid out, andthen I was like just sitting
there, you know, nice and quiet,waiting for everyone to get
going.
I saw the photographer settingup people setting up the crafts
and food and everyone's gettingset up, and I'm just waiting for
things to get going and someonecomes up to me and she and,
mind you, we're like hours in,like now, like two, three hours
in.
(18:32):
And I'm like this has taken awhile to start.
And then the producer comes tome and she's like when is the
key hairstylist getting here?
And I'm like I'm the keyhairstylist.
And they're like, oh, it's you.
And I'm like, yeah, it's me.
And they're like, oh, we sawyou sitting there but we assumed
you weren't the key.
(18:52):
And I'm like, why?
And they're like, don't worryabout it, well, let's just get
started.
And that to me, was like kindof like it just like ruined such
like an amazing moment that Iwas just like, oh, it kind of
was like a wake up call, like,hey, like I know we're all
excited about this career andbeing on set and doing all the
things, but you need to be awareof how you're being viewed as
(19:14):
well, so that you know how tonavigate this space.
So I think it was anunfortunate moment, but it's
something that I needed to likeopen my eyes and be like okay,
girl, this is what's happeninghere and you need to understand
the space.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (19:26):
Yeah, I'm sure that still does happen.
Yeah, and, and I do know aboutyour mentorship program, can you
tell me when you started that?
You know, because these are thekinds of things you would maybe
share with young people gettinginto the industry um, when it
started and how it's going.
Naeemah LaFond (19:45):
So it started last year.
I, like I said I wanted to dothe masterclass texture on set
and I started planning textureon set.
But then I was just like I feeland I know that there's a lot
of black women hairstylists whowant to work on set and they
don't even know where to start.
(20:05):
They don't have the who's whoin their pocket, they don't have
the connections and I felt likethat was something that needed
to be addressed first before Iteach you how to do texture on
set.
You can't even get on setreally, so let's address that
first.
So I created this mentorshipprogram specifically for black
(20:26):
women and currently mentor 22amazing black women who are
doing so good.
I'm just so proud of them andtheir evolution since last year.
It's kind of taken on a life ofits own.
It's become a sisterhood, it'sbecome a safe space for many.
They've taught me so manythings and I'm really excited
about opening up some slots nextyear to bring on some more
(20:49):
women and just to continue togrow that community.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (20:52):
Yeah, and typically when you say set,
is it like for magazines.
You know which areas are wetalking about.
Naeemah LaFond (21:01):
When we talk about beauty, really fashion and
beauty, like beauty campaigns,fashion campaigns working for
like brands, like big brandsthat do campaigns for new
launches and just fashion ingeneral.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (21:15):
Yeah, it's just such a variety, you
know.
And I think a lot of peopledon't realize that you know
beyond preparing guests for awedding, which is, you know,
nothing wrong with that, butthere's like a whole ecosystem.
Naeemah LaFond (21:29):
Yeah yeah, it's a whole world and I a lot of
people don't know about that,like the opportunities that are
out there and I really wanted tomake sure that I didn't
participate in the gatekeepingby holding that information.
I wanted to share it and letpeople know, like, yes, it's so
great to work behind the chairin the salon.
(21:50):
That's very fulfilling for many.
But also some people want to bemore in the fashion space.
Some people want to work onbeauty campaigns, some people
want to work at New York FashionWeek, but they just don't know
where to start.
You don't learn that in school.
No one sits you down to tellyou.
It's just that you have to knowwho you know in order to get
into it.
And I just really want to breakthat up.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (22:12):
Yeah, yeah, it's Shades and Layers.
Time now to learn more aboutthe inspiration behind Naima's
famous looks, her approach toworking with clients, as well as
the shades and layers rapidfire.
And before we wrap it all up,Naima tells us what her
alternative career path wouldhave been had she not chosen the
(22:34):
hair industry.
And you know, I've heard yousay that being an editorial
hairstylist is like being awriter or a painter, and you
know you consider what you doart.
So how would you describe yoursignature?
You know, how would I know thatNaima worked on this?
Naeemah LaFond (22:51):
It's glamorous but it's a little off.
I think that's just me.
It's like it's like there's theperfection, like it looks
glamorous, but there's somethingthat's just a little off to the
side.
And I just love that.
I love having a littlesomething out of place, a little
just that.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (23:13):
Right right.
Naeemah LaFond (23:14):
That just does something to me.
I just think it just feels real, it feels like a lived
experience rather than just aphoto.
It feels like she's in action,she's in motion, she's, you know
, living rather than justperfectly placed there.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (23:29):
So that I think that's my signature.
Oh, that's wonderful, greatThank you, and this celebratory
feeling that you you bring.
You know where do you get yourinspiration, like you know where
.
Where do you see these imagesthat you put together?
Naeemah LaFond (23:49):
It's a lot of research.
Growing up, my stepfather wasall about the encyclopedia.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (23:56):
Oh, yeah , been there, yep.
Naeemah LaFond (23:59):
He had the full encyclopedia there in the living
room and if I asked a questionhe'd be like look it up.
And in looking it up, you knowthere's sometimes you have the
pictures and I'm seeing like allthese like tribal references or
1800s in the United States andjust all kinds of references
that really stuck with me.
(24:20):
And when I do hair and when I'mgiven an idea and they're like
you know, we want you to elevateit, take it somewhere else.
That's kind of where my mindgoes, like back in time, like
back in history, to referencethose that did it first.
That's where I go.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (24:40):
Yeah, and you know how do you give
credit to those inspirations?
Because I find that it's notnecessarily well-known in
popular culture, that you knowsome of these things are ancient
practices.
Naeemah LaFond (24:54):
Yeah, so I, for me it's.
I do that often through myreels, like I did Whitney peak
for the Met Gala, yeah, yeah,and it was like antiquity and I
had her picture with her hair.
And then when you do, when youslide over, you see like the
references of, like the tribalwomen, yeah, brushed out.
(25:16):
I want you to know it's comingfrom somewhere, like I want you
to know that some, not only isit coming from somewhere, but
there's some thought went intoit, and that we are honoring
people as well, we are honoringour ancestors.
That's so important to me to letyou know where this is coming
from.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (25:33):
Yeah, and I wanted to touch on the
deeper meaning you attach toyour work, because we're talking
more than just hair.
You know there's history that'scoming in there's, you know,
social impact, et cetera.
So how would you go abouttalking about that Like what's,
what's the deeper meaning towhat you do?
Naeemah LaFond (25:50):
Well, for me, it's really about like leaving
everything I've I've done or I'mdoing better than I started it,
like it's really important tome to just leave things a little
bit better than I found them.
It's something that my momtaught me.
She's a nurse, she worked inhospice care, she's retired now,
(26:10):
but she always taught me to dothings with meaning, because
that's what's going to matter atthe end that you live the life
of meaning, that you touchpeople, that, when you had the
opportunity, you change people'slives for the better.
That's what I want to make surethat I intertwine in everything
that I do career-wise, or elseit just won't feel good to me.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (26:33):
Yeah, yeah.
And speaking of touching people, I read somewhere that you take
your daughter to work.
Is that still the case?
Naeemah LaFond (26:42):
I take my mini often with me.
Sometimes she comes like onstage.
Sometimes I take her to a photoshoot.
I just want her to see thatmommy loves what she does.
I want her to see that I'mhappy and you know I'm a career
woman that is excited aboutgoing to work and that it's not
like oh sorry, mommy has to goaway for the weekend.
(27:05):
You know, I'm just so sad.
I don't want her to be burdenedwith that at all.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (27:10):
I want her to know that I'm excited
Like I'm going to.
Naeemah LaFond (27:12):
LA tomorrow to do so-and-so's hair.
I'm so excited.
Take a look at her.
What do you think I should dowith her hair?
And she's like, oh, you shoulddo a ponytail, you should do
this.
Like I want her to see that inme so that she can carry that
for herself as well when shegets older.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (27:27):
Right, that's great.
That is so, so meaningful.
Naeemah LaFond (27:30):
Yeah.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (27:31):
Yeah.
So the way I speak aboutsustainability on the podcast is
usually in a very broad sense.
It's not necessarily just aboutenvironment, although that is,
but you know it's a holisticapproach.
So if I say sustainability toyou, what comes to mind and how
does it manifest in your world?
Naeemah LaFond (27:51):
For me, sustainability really is about,
like social impact and how wecan have a beauty industry that
caters to everyone, thateveryone can win in, that
everyone can be successful, in,that everyone can see themselves
in, or else it's notsustainable.
And I think when we got to apoint where I felt that the
(28:14):
industry wasn't reflective ofwho I wanted to be as a person
in terms of inclusivity, that'swhen I felt like I had to leave.
So that means it's notsustainable, right.
So, it's Really making sure thatI am in an industry and I and I
also pour into an industry thatallows people of all shades,
(28:35):
colors, creeds to be a part of,be successful in.
That's something that's soimportant to me and that is what
true sustainability in terms oflike social impact really means
for me of like social impactreally means for me and speaking
(28:56):
of impact, there is possibly ateam behind you.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (28:57):
I think there's a team behind you, so
who helps you put it alltogether.
You know, keep the back wheelsturning there.
Naeemah LaFond (29:04):
Well, number one girl is my agent Alexia.
She is amazing, my agent Alexia, she is amazing.
I'm at the wall group.
She's an agent with the wallgroup.
She understands who I want tobe and how I want to show up in
the world, and I think that'swhat makes it a very cohesive
relationship and one that I feelsupported, one that I don't
(29:28):
feel like I'm doing things thatdon't quite fit me as an artist.
So that's a relationship that Ireally honor.
I really trust her.
She holds my career and also myintentions with care, and I
think that's so important in anagent or in a team in general
(29:48):
People that care about yourvision and where it is that you
want to go, so that they canhelp you get there and help you
get there with integrity andmorals.
So that's important.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (30:00):
Yeah, Great.
So you have an agent.
And then, in terms of you knowthe practical day to day.
Let's say, you're going on set,do you hire freelancers?
You know how does that work foryou.
Naeemah LaFond (30:09):
So, day to day for, like working on building
texture, on set planning, youhire freelancers.
You know how does that work foryou.
So, day to day for like,working on building texture, on
set planning, producing that, Ihave someone who does the
production for me for texture onset Jamie.
Jamie's amazing.
She's like show producerextraordinaire.
We've worked together withother brands and worked together
for years.
She knows how I like to be onstage, how I want to show up.
(30:32):
She knows the show that I wantto give, so she's like a great
producer.
I have Shabavian who is myadministrative assistant.
She handles like all the youknow, outside of photo shoot
things that come my way thathave to do with texture on set
or that have to do with mymentorship program.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (30:51):
Right.
Naeemah LaFond (30:53):
And she's a great asset to my team.
Like I can't answer all theemails and do all the things, so
Shebabian is that, in terms oflike, working on set, I have all
of my, all of my mentees withblack on set.
Are the are the people that Itap into when I need assistance
on set.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (31:13):
Great.
Naeemah LaFond (31:14):
So that's another perk of being in that
mentorship program that I wantto use them and bring them into
spaces that they probablyotherwise wouldn't have the
opportunity to come into and say, hey, come on set with me and
they get to watch me and workwith me and learn without
judgment, or learn without thefear of not getting that job
(31:35):
again, because I know that theyprobably have not done something
like this before and they're sogreen and I give them the grace
to be green, while I teach them.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (31:46):
That's great, but what does success
mean to you?
How would you define success?
Naeemah LaFond (31:49):
Success to me today means time to do the
things that I love to do Timewith my daughter.
Success means having the optionto say yes or no to things.
Success means looking in themirror and being happy with the
career decisions that I've madeand who I have impacted and how
(32:14):
I've impacted people.
That is true success.
That I can be at peace and laymy head down or look at myself
in the mirror and be happy withwhat I see.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (32:23):
Great, so let's get into the rapid fire
.
First question is if you had towrite a memoir, what would you
call it and why?
Naeemah LaFond (32:33):
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
I think that is the theme of mylife.
Honestly, all of the thingsthat I have done that have been
big things have been preceded byfear, have been preceded by
(33:01):
fear.
Fear is where it all starts,but somehow I find the strength
to push through and do it anyway, and I think that's something
that was learned.
That's something that I had topractice.
I wasn't always like that.
I taught myself to be that way.
I motivated myself into doingthat.
I, you know, prayed myself intodoing that.
So, it's something that wastaught.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
(33:23):
Fear is just a feeling.
Get on there and just go likeyou got this.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (33:28):
Great, great.
And who would you choose toplay the lead actress in the
film version of that story?
Naeemah LaFond (33:36):
You know I would go with Nia Long.
Oh yeah, I can see that.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (33:40):
I feel fun.
Naeemah LaFond (33:42):
Nia Long.
It just for me.
She just feels like a girl'sgirl, like a regular round the
way girl, and that's who I thinkI am.
But I also see like the heartin her and the passion in her,
so I think that Nia Long wouldbe best and who would you invite
(34:02):
to dinner?
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (34:04):
One famous Black woman, living or
dead?
Who would you invite FamousBlack woman?
Naeemah LaFond (34:08):
I think Oprah, because she just knows a lot.
She knows a lot of people,she's had a lot of conversations
and I think you learn so muchabout life and conversations.
And who's had moreconversations than Oprah, right?
Kutloano Skosana Ric (34:21):
Meaningful ones, right yeah.
Naeemah LaFond (34:24):
Impactful ones.
It's like gathering all thepeople that would be an option
into one person, and that wouldbe Oprah, because she's probably
talked to all of them.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (34:35):
You are so right.
And at the moment, what's yourfavorite hairstyle?
Naeemah LaFond (34:41):
My favorite hairstyle at the moment to do on
someone, On you someone,wherever that takes you.
I think my favorite hairstyleto do on someone is a sleek
ponytail with like a curlyponytail, like a puff, like.
I love a puff, like I love thejuxtaposition between like super
slick and then these big bouncycurls.
(35:03):
It's like it's like straightand curly, it's like a straight
road and then windy road.
I just love that.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (35:12):
And there are many misconceptions
about natural or textured hairat the moment.
What's the one thing that youwould advise people to banish
from their minds when they thinkor deal with textured hair?
Naeemah LaFond (35:23):
That it's hard to do.
It's not hard to do, you justhave to know what you're doing.
Like many things in life.
If you don't know how to do it,it's going to be hard.
But once you know it's not hardto do, once you know what
you're doing, it's not hard todo.
And I hate to hear that,because when people say that,
that also creates barriers for alot of women in beauty, in a
(35:48):
lot of things.
When you say it's hard, thattells, for example, a producer
oh, that model's hair is hard todo, it's going to be hard to
switch her from one look to thenext.
All right, we'll just use thestraight hair girl instead.
So now someone has just lost anopportunity because there was
an assumption made that her hairis hard to do.
(36:08):
So if I were to banishsomething, it's that it's not
hard.
Just you have to know whatyou're doing Great.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (36:15):
And what are you looking forward to in
the next while?
What am I looking?
Naeemah LaFond (36:19):
forward to Just continuing to live authentically
.
I feel like I'm in my groove,like I feel like all the things
that I dreamed of are currentlyhappening.
I'm living a dream right now.
I have the things that Idreamed of are currently
happening.
I'm living a dream right now.
I I have the career that I'vealways dreamed of.
I have the husband that I'vealways dreamed of, having the
(36:39):
daughter that I prayed for, thepeace that I prayed for in life,
and also living out theintentions that I've always had.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (36:49):
Right.
Naeemah LaFond (36:50):
It's just so important to me.
So continuing that I justcontinue to pray for this
continued peace, that's what Iwant Peace.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:00):
You're all about peace, great.
Naeemah LaFond (37:01):
Peace, yes.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:04):
Is there anything else that you'd like
to share that maybe we didn'ttouch on?
Naeemah LaFond (37:10):
If I weren't a hairstylist, I'd be a chef.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:15):
Thank you, I was just going back to my
list.
Naeemah LaFond (37:19):
If I weren't a hairstylist, I'd be a chef, for
sure.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:22):
Oh yeah, you like cooking.
Naeemah LaFond (37:25):
I love cooking.
I grew up at my mother's hipwatching her cook and when I
went to college I roommateedwith like so many different
kinds of people.
I had Asian roommates,panamanian roommate,
african-american roommates,dominican roommates, and I've I
learned from all of them.
So I feel like my cooking is aa mosh pit of all of those like
(37:48):
amazing cultures oh, that's nice.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:50):
Do you cook every day for your family
or not?
Every day, maybe like three,four times a week yeah, guys,
and what's your favorite thingto cook, favorite thing?
Naeemah LaFond (37:59):
to cook, I would say haitian food.
I'm haitian, um, because it'slike a low and slow kind of
process right and I love that,especially for a Sunday where I
have nothing to do.
Light a few candles, pour somewine, start cooking.
It's going to take a few hours.
You can sit down, read anexcerpt from a book, get back on
(38:22):
the stove.
I love Haitian cooking for itslow and slow and kind of like
nurturing that you have to do toit.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (38:30):
Yeah, yeah, oh, that's amazing.
Great Sounds like your best wayto spend a Sunday.
Naeemah LaFond (38:37):
Yes, yeah, yeah yeah.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (38:39):
So if people want to work with you,
tap into your knowledge and gethold of you, where can they find
you?
Naeemah LaFond (38:47):
Well, you can find me on my social it's, at
Naeem El-Fan on Instagram andalso on LinkedIn, naeem Elifan.
If you want to learn from me,please come to Texture On Set.
So excited again about thisevent, with Olaplex at the helm
helping me make this happen.
So I really hope that there'scontinued support for that,
(39:10):
because with that support makesit happen again and again and
again.
So, yes, great, wonderful.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (39:16):
And that is all from me this time around
.
I hope you've enjoyed thisepisode as much as I enjoyed
putting it together.
Thanks to Naima for sharing herstory so generously, and you
can learn more about some of herwork in the show notes.
And while you are there, pleaseshare, like and rate the
podcast so that others can findit.
Five stars would be amazing.
(39:38):
Thank You.
I'm Kutloano Skosana Ricci,and until next time.
Please do take good care.
Hello and welcome to Shades and Layers
.
I'm your Kutloano Skosana Ricci.
Today I'm in conversation withNew York-based editorial
hairstylist to celebrities,global educator and textured
hair advocate, naima Lafond,with signature magazine cover
(00:25):
looks that celebrate bigtextured hair and working with
celebrities like Amapiano star,tyler and Beyonce on the launch
of her hair brand Sacred.
It goes without saying thatwhen she speaks, the industry
listens.
Naima's signature looks, whichdraw inspiration from the
African continent andincorporate her Haitian roots,
have recently landed her anambassador role at the global
hair brand Polar Pets.
(00:45):
We talk about why thispartnership matters, especially
at this moment in the evolutionof the natural hair conversation
.
We cover a wide range of topics, including her role as educator
in the industry, her aptlynamed masterclass Texture on Set
and her recently launchedmentorship program.
So, without further ado, let'sget into the conversation with
(01:07):
Naima Lafond.
Naeemah LaFond (01:09):
My name is Naima Lafond.
I am a hairstylist, an educator, I'm a platform artist.
I'm also a global ambassadorfor Olaplex.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (01:18):
Great.
So the reason why we arespeaking is because of Olaplex,
and I just wanted to get thingsstarted off there.
So what I've noticed about yourcareer journey is that it's
very intentional, including yourpartnerships.
How did this partnership comeabout with Olaplex and why is it
important to your evolution asan artist?
Naeemah LaFond (01:40):
Well, olaplex approached me last year and I
was honored, honestly, because Ihave admired Olaplex from afar
for years, just watching theinnovation and how focused.
But now, with the launch ofBond Builder and watching
(02:07):
Olaplex really come out withmore styling focused and curl
focused products, I do see thesynergy there and it all makes
sense because I'm a veryingredient focused person, I
love science backed products andI think that's something that's
been missing in the beautyspace for black hair, for
textured hair.
So once I heard about thispartnership, I really thought it
(02:30):
was a great fit for me for sure.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (02:31):
Yeah.
So speaking of you know product, I mean this you've been in
this hair business for manyyears now and there have been a
few changes in the industry.
So, in terms of you knowproduct availability, how have
you, how has that shift beenfrom your standpoint?
What have you observed?
That's very significant,particularly for people with
(02:52):
textured hair.
Naeemah LaFond (02:53):
I've definitely noticed that the industry is
embracing textured hair productsmore, embracing the innovation
behind that and doing moreproduct development research for
textured hair, which isimportant, and I see that
continuing to grow.
I love that trajectory because,like I said, it's something
that I see that we've beenmissing and I think the whole
(03:13):
you know everything thathappened in 2020 really set the
groundwork for that and we'rejust seeing the work come to
play.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (03:23):
Yeah, so this is perhaps one of the more
meaningful changes that havehappened in terms of inclusion
in the hair industry.
I think it's very expensive theway you've explained it, but if
you can, just yeah, just saywhat does it mean to be
inclusive as a brand in thishair space?
Naeemah LaFond (03:43):
To me, inclusion as a brand really means having
Black people, people of color,in the room where decisions are
being made.
It's not just about what we'reseeing in the campaigns, what
we're calling the products, whatwe're saying the intention is.
The true intention shows itsface in the boardroom.
(04:06):
I think that's what's important, and the meetings that are
being had about certain products, like.
I think that's where theinclusivity needs to happen,
that's where it's most important, because that trickles down.
So for me, really, inclusion isall about how brands are
pulling in creators, pulling inscientists, pulling in product
(04:27):
developers, pulling in peoplethat have, you know, the beauty
background, but also are peopleof color that can speak to how
these products work with ourhair, which it's so important
because it's not the same.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (04:43):
No, absolutely.
I had a conversation recentlywith Shalita Grant I don't know
if you know her, she's anactress in CIS and the one thing
that she mentioned was, youknow, being on set, on a
television set, is particularlychallenging for actresses of
color.
She mentioned productavailability and that was a big
(05:05):
thing that you know, stylistsactually very often do not have
the right products, especiallyin those environments.
Would you say that there aremore options available now?
Or you know, slow going, what'shappening?
Naeemah LaFond (05:17):
there.
It's the stylist having theknowledge to put those products
in their kit, put them on theirstands, on their makeup stands,
their hair stands, to show theclient, the person sitting in
the chair, like it's a safespace.
I have products for you,because texture products that
(05:38):
are catered to texture are not anew thing.
Right, we're developing them,but it's not new.
So there is really no excusewhere, you know, a black actress
comes on set and there'snothing that caters to her hair.
It's really about thehairdresser having the education
to know okay, I need to havethis, this and this for her, I
need to make sure I have oils, Ineed to make sure I have heat
(06:01):
protectant spray, I need to makesure I have edge control, I
need to make sure I have somelike braiding products, all of
those things that cater totextured hair.
Understanding that is key.
When I teach about texturedhair, that's the first thing I
address.
We have to understand whatwe're using and why.
Before you even put your handsin the hair, you have to
(06:22):
understand that the productsthat you pick up are important,
the products that a client justsees, because that's the first
impression as soon as she sitsin the chair.
She's looking at what you haveand before you've even said a
word, she knows whether it's asafe space or it's not.
And you've said a whole essaywithout even opening up your
(06:42):
mouth.
So it's so important to likelay out those products that she
feels like oh, wow, like okay,they have curl products.
They have products for, like, ifmy hair is pressed, they have
products for heat protection.
All the things are there thatmake the client feel safe, and
that's what's important Justhaving that knowledge first, to
know what products to use.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (07:03):
Speaking of knowledge and education,
that was the other area that youknow most of my conversations
has been about that.
You know, cosmetologists arenot trained in caring for
textured hair in the first place.
But there's also anotherdevelopment, hopefully starting
to address that the passing ofthe Crown Act.
Yes, do you think that there ismovement towards actually
(07:26):
realizing the crown act?
Yes, it is legislation, but dopeople actually start respecting
it now, or what's uh, what'syour take?
Naeemah LaFond (07:34):
well, I feel like we we've had this
conversation like just as likeblack people, people with
textured hair for like manyyears.
Right, it's a conversationwe're having it within our
circles about going to work andnot being able to, like, wear
your hair in its natural state.
I think I did this Cosmointerview.
I think it was 2017, 2018.
(07:55):
And the title of the articlewas I'm wearing my Afro to work.
Deal with it Like yes.
Yeah, and it's like that's athat was a big deal at the
moment, like yeah, yeah.
Just wear your hair out as islike.
And, honestly, even at the time, I was like shocked at the
title, like wow, that's like.
Of all the things that I said,that was the main takeaway, but
(08:17):
it was.
It's just something that we'vebeen dealing with for a long
time.
I am I don't know if you knowthe change is welcomed or not,
but black women, women withtextured hair, are embracing it
and they're going to work withit.
I think, whether the powersthat be like it or not, it's a
change that's happening.
We are really moving forwardand saying like this is this is
(08:40):
how I wear my hair.
I wear the braids, I wear thefro, I wear the twists, I wear
the dreads.
I'm going to continue to wearmy hair.
I wear the braids, I wear thefro, I wear the twists, I wear
the dreads.
I'm going to continue to wearmy hair like.
This Legislation is importantbecause, in all fact, people are
losing jobs over things likethis.
People are getting kicked outof school.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (08:55):
So, yes, change is happening, but it
also, I think, requires us totake a stand and also just show
up.
Yeah, absolutely, and you know,this is the key thing, like
hairstyle preferences and I willsay, preferences in air quotes,
because you cannot do what youdon't see and you don't know
(09:17):
that it's an option if you don'tsee it in reality.
Do you think that there's beena change, or what has been the
most remarkable change in termsof customer preferences, you
know, in terms of hairstylesproducts, attitudes the like.
Naeemah LaFond (09:30):
Definitely.
I do see that customers clientsare more open to wearing their
natural hair and I think it'sbecause of the product
innovation, what they're seeingjust like for the new Bond
Builder products, for example,that Olaplex has recently come
out with that allows clients towear their texture and really
(09:50):
highlight their texture.
That's something where you'reexplaining that to a client and
they're like oh, okay, Like thisis something that's not trying
to smooth it out or straightenit or revert it in a different
direction.
It's really trying to highlightmy curl pattern.
We're seeing more things likethat being celebrated, so I
think it's making the clientfeel comfortable to say, yeah, I
want my hair like that.
(10:10):
So the more we have thatinnovation, that product
innovation that celebratestextured hair, the more
comfortable and more confidentclients will be in wearing their
textured hair.
Because product is important,right?
Like if I say I want to wear myhair straight and smooth but
there's not a heat protectant ora smoothing product that is
going to keep it that way, thenI'm not really going to feel
(10:33):
confident to go to the salon andask for that look.
Or vice versa, If I say I wantto wear my hair curly and big
and defined and you know, I want, like my curls, to be bouncy
and not stiff and dry.
I want to be confident inknowing I can go to the salon
and ask for that and they notonly they can do it, but they
have the products to support it.
So it's really products tosupport the things that we want
(10:55):
is so important.
It goes hand in hand.
Like we can say, we want towear our hair natural and, you
know, just go to work as is andbe and live in our full texture.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (11:09):
But the beauty industry has to be there
to support that as well.
Hey, it's Chasen Layers.
I'm speaking to Naima Lafont,editorial hairstylist, global
educator and textured hairadvocate.
It's always interesting to findout what sparks people's career
choices and up next we get intothat as well as Naima's
personal hair journey and howshe landed the first gig that
(11:31):
got her into the hair industry.
You are doing your bit in termsof supporting this industry.
I know you've been running amasterclass, you've got a
mentorship program, so talk tome about the evolution of your
career into the educationalspace.
Naeemah LaFond (11:47):
Well, I've.
I'm a career educator.
I've been an educator for manyyears.
I started off actually doingwork on set.
I did that for a few years andthen I started working with
brands as creative director, asartistic director, and that
allowed me to travel the worldto teach and also help launch
(12:09):
brands and launch products andexplain how products are used
and how they can be used in alldifferent types of hair.
And I think you know it's a newthing to talk about that, but
it's it's been my life's work,honestly where I'm like we don't
need a product to say curl onit to be able to be used on
curly hair.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (12:30):
Right.
Naeemah LaFond (12:34):
We can go beyond the curl products.
Our hair is so versatile, itcan do so many things.
That's one thing that I'vetaught for so many years that
you can pick up the texturespray and put it on textured
hair.
It's what it's going to do tomy hair.
It's just going to make itbigger.
You know like it's going togive a reaction, the end result,
(12:55):
I feel like oftentimes peopleare like oh, with curly hair,
everyone wants you know.
Like everything in place,perfectly coiled, like that's
not everyone's, you know ourhair slick back, we wear it
curly, we we do so manydifferent things and there are
so many different products thatcan do that.
It's not just about a productthat says curl on it right.
(13:17):
So, as a career educated, it'ssomething that I've been so
passionate about um, and then Istarted doing this masterclass
last year where I wanted tofocus on texture on set, and
that's what it's called.
It's called texture on set.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (13:31):
And.
Naeemah LaFond (13:31):
I've gotten so much support from the industry
that it became more than amasterclass.
It's become a hair show, soit's like this texture hair show
.
We're going to do it again in2025.
Olaplex is our title sponsor.
I'm so excited for the supportbehind this.
We have so many great brandscoming on board to support and
(13:54):
it really shows the evolution ofthe industry and wrapping their
arms around texture educationand understanding the importance
behind that.
We know like we want to sellproduct to everyone and in order
to do that, we have to teacheveryone how to use product on
everyone.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (14:11):
So that brings me to your hair journey,
your personal hair journey andhow you would describe that.
You know.
Have you always been confidentin your texture?
Is it something you've learnedalong the way?
How would you talk about that?
Naeemah LaFond (14:25):
I've always been confident, like I'm a Brooklyn
girl.
I grew up in Brooklyn in theeighties and and we, you know,
there's the round the way salons.
Everyone's doing somethingdifferent.
We're frying, dying, laying tothe side, it's all kinds of
stuff.
So throughout my life I've wornmy hair in so many different
ways and feel confident about it.
(14:46):
For me, it's an accessory, it'sa piece I love to play.
I love to do different things.
Go blonde Nice yeah, I love toplay with hair and I really want
women to have that freedom allwomen, I know we're embracing
curl, we're embracing textureand that's so important, but at
(15:08):
the same time, women are not amonolith.
Black women are not a monolith.
We should be allowed to playand do all different kinds of
things with our hair, and that'sjust how I've lived my life.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (15:19):
Yeah, that's great.
And how did you know that?
This is for sure what I want todo, like you know?
When did you get you know thattingling feeling, that, whoo,
this is exactly what I'm doingwith my life?
Naeemah LaFond (15:30):
Well, I think the tingling feeling well, I got
the tingling feeling like assoon as I stepped on set and
started doing hair.
I'm like, wow, this is, peopledo this for a living.
This is crazy, but for me, whenit started to feel like purpose
and passion came together waswhen I started to be outspoken
(15:51):
about inclusivity and diversityin hair.
That's when I felt like whatI'm feeling on the inside and
what I do for work are trulymeshing, because it's
conversations that I'm having,things that I'm so passionate
about.
But then I get into spaces andI'm like I can't say that here.
But once.
I set myself free and vocalizedwhat I felt.
(16:13):
That's when work and my heartreally meshed and I felt like,
ooh, the tingles like this isexactly what I need to be doing.
This is my life's purpose,really.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (16:25):
Great.
And how did you land that firstgig on set?
Naeemah LaFond (16:29):
So my best friend at the time I was, I
think, maybe 22 or 23.
The best age.
She was an aspiring model andshe's like I'm going to do this
thing called a test shoot and Ididn't know what that was.
She's like me, a photographer,a makeup artist.
We're all getting together andjust doing a photo shoot so that
we can all get pictures for ourportfolios.
(16:51):
And at the time I had afull-time job.
I was a court clerk at theBrooklyn district attorney's
office.
After college, I was doing, Iwas, I had my serious job.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, what I wasdoing, I was, I had my serious
job and I was like, sure, I'lldo this for fun.
She asked me because I was theone in college.
I was like doing everyone'shair before parties or before
(17:13):
like school events.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (17:14):
So I was the girl doing hair in the dorm
.
Naeemah LaFond (17:17):
So she came to me and asked me to do that and I
went with her and I was justblown away that people do this
for work.
And I went with her and I wasjust blown away that people do
this for work.
I was just like I just do this,for I was just doing this for
fun for years.
I can't believe this is like acareer.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (17:31):
I can't earn a living yet.
Great, and do you have any?
You know?
Memorable or bizarre, whateverincidents on set that you know
come back to you and you think,oh my goodness, I can't believe
that happened without gettingsued.
Naeemah LaFond (17:49):
Yeah, I mean there's a lot of times where
I've been on set and peopleeither don't include me or don't
, or assume that I'm in thewrong place or I'm not who I am.
I do remember once I was Ithink it was my first my first
big photo shoot.
I showed up early because I'mlike so excited laid my kid out,
(18:11):
had everything laid out, andthen I was like just sitting
there, you know, nice and quiet,waiting for everyone to get
going.
I saw the photographer settingup people setting up the crafts
and food and everyone's gettingset up, and I'm just waiting for
things to get going and someonecomes up to me and she and,
mind you, we're like hours in,like now, like two, three hours
in.
(18:32):
And I'm like this has taken awhile to start.
And then the producer comes tome and she's like when is the
key hairstylist getting here?
And I'm like I'm the keyhairstylist.
And they're like, oh, it's you.
And I'm like, yeah, it's me.
And they're like, oh, we sawyou sitting there but we assumed
you weren't the key.
(18:52):
And I'm like, why?
And they're like, don't worryabout it, well, let's just get
started.
And that to me, was like kindof like it just like ruined such
like an amazing moment that Iwas just like, oh, it kind of
was like a wake up call, like,hey, like I know we're all
excited about this career andbeing on set and doing all the
things, but you need to be awareof how you're being viewed as
(19:14):
well, so that you know how tonavigate this space.
So I think it was anunfortunate moment, but it's
something that I needed to likeopen my eyes and be like okay,
girl, this is what's happeninghere and you need to understand
the space.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (19:26):
Yeah, I'm sure that still does happen.
Yeah, and, and I do know aboutyour mentorship program, can you
tell me when you started that?
You know, because these are thekinds of things you would maybe
share with young people gettinginto the industry um, when it
started and how it's going.
Naeemah LaFond (19:45):
So it started last year.
I, like I said I wanted to dothe masterclass texture on set
and I started planning textureon set.
But then I was just like I feeland I know that there's a lot
of black women hairstylists whowant to work on set and they
don't even know where to start.
(20:05):
They don't have the who's whoin their pocket, they don't have
the connections and I felt likethat was something that needed
to be addressed first before Iteach you how to do texture on
set.
You can't even get on setreally, so let's address that
first.
So I created this mentorshipprogram specifically for black
(20:26):
women and currently mentor 22amazing black women who are
doing so good.
I'm just so proud of them andtheir evolution since last year.
It's kind of taken on a life ofits own.
It's become a sisterhood, it'sbecome a safe space for many.
They've taught me so manythings and I'm really excited
about opening up some slots nextyear to bring on some more
(20:49):
women and just to continue togrow that community.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (20:52):
Yeah, and typically when you say set,
is it like for magazines.
You know which areas are wetalking about.
Naeemah LaFond (21:01):
When we talk about beauty, really fashion and
beauty, like beauty campaigns,fashion campaigns working for
like brands, like big brandsthat do campaigns for new
launches and just fashion ingeneral.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (21:15):
Yeah, it's just such a variety, you
know.
And I think a lot of peopledon't realize that you know
beyond preparing guests for awedding, which is, you know,
nothing wrong with that, butthere's like a whole ecosystem.
Naeemah LaFond (21:29):
Yeah yeah, it's a whole world and I a lot of
people don't know about that,like the opportunities that are
out there and I really wanted tomake sure that I didn't
participate in the gatekeepingby holding that information.
I wanted to share it and letpeople know, like, yes, it's so
great to work behind the chairin the salon.
(21:50):
That's very fulfilling for many.
But also some people want to bemore in the fashion space.
Some people want to work onbeauty campaigns, some people
want to work at New York FashionWeek, but they just don't know
where to start.
You don't learn that in school.
No one sits you down to tellyou.
It's just that you have to knowwho you know in order to get
into it.
And I just really want to breakthat up.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (22:12):
Yeah, yeah, it's Shades and Layers.
Time now to learn more aboutthe inspiration behind Naima's
famous looks, her approach toworking with clients, as well as
the shades and layers rapidfire.
And before we wrap it all up,Naima tells us what her
alternative career path wouldhave been had she not chosen the
(22:34):
hair industry.
And you know, I've heard yousay that being an editorial
hairstylist is like being awriter or a painter, and you
know you consider what you doart.
So how would you describe yoursignature?
You know, how would I know thatNaima worked on this?
Naeemah LaFond (22:51):
It's glamorous but it's a little off.
I think that's just me.
It's like it's like there's theperfection, like it looks
glamorous, but there's somethingthat's just a little off to the
side.
And I just love that.
I love having a littlesomething out of place, a little
just that.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (23:13):
Right right.
Naeemah LaFond (23:14):
That just does something to me.
I just think it just feels real, it feels like a lived
experience rather than just aphoto.
It feels like she's in action,she's in motion, she's, you know
, living rather than justperfectly placed there.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (23:29):
So that I think that's my signature.
Oh, that's wonderful, greatThank you, and this celebratory
feeling that you you bring.
You know where do you get yourinspiration, like you know where
.
Where do you see these imagesthat you put together?
Naeemah LaFond (23:49):
It's a lot of research.
Growing up, my stepfather wasall about the encyclopedia.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (23:56):
Oh, yeah , been there, yep.
Naeemah LaFond (23:59):
He had the full encyclopedia there in the living
room and if I asked a questionhe'd be like look it up.
And in looking it up, you knowthere's sometimes you have the
pictures and I'm seeing like allthese like tribal references or
1800s in the United States andjust all kinds of references
that really stuck with me.
(24:20):
And when I do hair and when I'mgiven an idea and they're like
you know, we want you to elevateit, take it somewhere else.
That's kind of where my mindgoes, like back in time, like
back in history, to referencethose that did it first.
That's where I go.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (24:40):
Yeah, and you know how do you give
credit to those inspirations?
Because I find that it's notnecessarily well-known in
popular culture, that you knowsome of these things are ancient
practices.
Naeemah LaFond (24:54):
Yeah, so I, for me it's.
I do that often through myreels, like I did Whitney peak
for the Met Gala, yeah, yeah,and it was like antiquity and I
had her picture with her hair.
And then when you do, when youslide over, you see like the
references of, like the tribalwomen, yeah, brushed out.
(25:16):
I want you to know it's comingfrom somewhere, like I want you
to know that some, not only isit coming from somewhere, but
there's some thought went intoit, and that we are honoring
people as well, we are honoringour ancestors.
That's so important to me to letyou know where this is coming
from.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (25:33):
Yeah, and I wanted to touch on the
deeper meaning you attach toyour work, because we're talking
more than just hair.
You know there's history that'scoming in there's, you know,
social impact, et cetera.
So how would you go abouttalking about that Like what's,
what's the deeper meaning towhat you do?
Naeemah LaFond (25:50):
Well, for me, it's really about like leaving
everything I've I've done or I'mdoing better than I started it,
like it's really important tome to just leave things a little
bit better than I found them.
It's something that my momtaught me.
She's a nurse, she worked inhospice care, she's retired now,
(26:10):
but she always taught me to dothings with meaning, because
that's what's going to matter atthe end that you live the life
of meaning, that you touchpeople, that, when you had the
opportunity, you change people'slives for the better.
That's what I want to make surethat I intertwine in everything
that I do career-wise, or elseit just won't feel good to me.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (26:33):
Yeah, yeah.
And speaking of touching people, I read somewhere that you take
your daughter to work.
Is that still the case?
Naeemah LaFond (26:42):
I take my mini often with me.
Sometimes she comes like onstage.
Sometimes I take her to a photoshoot.
I just want her to see thatmommy loves what she does.
I want her to see that I'mhappy and you know I'm a career
woman that is excited aboutgoing to work and that it's not
like oh sorry, mommy has to goaway for the weekend.
(27:05):
You know, I'm just so sad.
I don't want her to be burdenedwith that at all.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (27:10):
I want her to know that I'm excited
Like I'm going to.
Naeemah LaFond (27:12):
LA tomorrow to do so-and-so's hair.
I'm so excited.
Take a look at her.
What do you think I should dowith her hair?
And she's like, oh, you shoulddo a ponytail, you should do
this.
Like I want her to see that inme so that she can carry that
for herself as well when shegets older.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (27:27):
Right, that's great.
That is so, so meaningful.
Naeemah LaFond (27:30):
Yeah.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (27:31):
Yeah.
So the way I speak aboutsustainability on the podcast is
usually in a very broad sense.
It's not necessarily just aboutenvironment, although that is,
but you know it's a holisticapproach.
So if I say sustainability toyou, what comes to mind and how
does it manifest in your world?
Naeemah LaFond (27:51):
For me, sustainability really is about,
like social impact and how wecan have a beauty industry that
caters to everyone, thateveryone can win in, that
everyone can be successful, in,that everyone can see themselves
in, or else it's notsustainable.
And I think when we got to apoint where I felt that the
(28:14):
industry wasn't reflective ofwho I wanted to be as a person
in terms of inclusivity, that'swhen I felt like I had to leave.
So that means it's notsustainable, right.
So, it's Really making sure thatI am in an industry and I and I
also pour into an industry thatallows people of all shades,
(28:35):
colors, creeds to be a part of,be successful in.
That's something that's soimportant to me and that is what
true sustainability in terms oflike social impact really means
for me of like social impactreally means for me and speaking
(28:56):
of impact, there is possibly ateam behind you.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (28:57):
I think there's a team behind you, so
who helps you put it alltogether.
You know, keep the back wheelsturning there.
Naeemah LaFond (29:04):
Well, number one girl is my agent Alexia.
She is amazing, my agent Alexia, she is amazing.
I'm at the wall group.
She's an agent with the wallgroup.
She understands who I want tobe and how I want to show up in
the world, and I think that'swhat makes it a very cohesive
relationship and one that I feelsupported, one that I don't
(29:28):
feel like I'm doing things thatdon't quite fit me as an artist.
So that's a relationship that Ireally honor.
I really trust her.
She holds my career and also myintentions with care, and I
think that's so important in anagent or in a team in general
(29:48):
People that care about yourvision and where it is that you
want to go, so that they canhelp you get there and help you
get there with integrity andmorals.
So that's important.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (30:00):
Yeah, Great.
So you have an agent.
And then, in terms of you knowthe practical day to day.
Let's say, you're going on set,do you hire freelancers?
You know how does that work foryou.
Naeemah LaFond (30:09):
So, day to day for, like working on building
texture, on set planning, youhire freelancers.
You know how does that work foryou.
So, day to day for like,working on building texture, on
set planning, producing that, Ihave someone who does the
production for me for texture onset Jamie.
Jamie's amazing.
She's like show producerextraordinaire.
We've worked together withother brands and worked together
for years.
She knows how I like to be onstage, how I want to show up.
(30:32):
She knows the show that I wantto give, so she's like a great
producer.
I have Shabavian who is myadministrative assistant.
She handles like all the youknow, outside of photo shoot
things that come my way thathave to do with texture on set
or that have to do with mymentorship program.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (30:51):
Right.
Naeemah LaFond (30:53):
And she's a great asset to my team.
Like I can't answer all theemails and do all the things, so
Shebabian is that, in terms oflike, working on set, I have all
of my, all of my mentees withblack on set.
Are the are the people that Itap into when I need assistance
on set.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (31:13):
Great.
Naeemah LaFond (31:14):
So that's another perk of being in that
mentorship program that I wantto use them and bring them into
spaces that they probablyotherwise wouldn't have the
opportunity to come into and say, hey, come on set with me and
they get to watch me and workwith me and learn without
judgment, or learn without thefear of not getting that job
(31:35):
again, because I know that theyprobably have not done something
like this before and they're sogreen and I give them the grace
to be green, while I teach them.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (31:46):
That's great, but what does success
mean to you?
How would you define success?
Naeemah LaFond (31:49):
Success to me today means time to do the
things that I love to do Timewith my daughter.
Success means having the optionto say yes or no to things.
Success means looking in themirror and being happy with the
career decisions that I've madeand who I have impacted and how
(32:14):
I've impacted people.
That is true success.
That I can be at peace and laymy head down or look at myself
in the mirror and be happy withwhat I see.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (32:23):
Great, so let's get into the rapid fire
.
First question is if you had towrite a memoir, what would you
call it and why?
Naeemah LaFond (32:33):
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
I think that is the theme of mylife.
Honestly, all of the thingsthat I have done that have been
big things have been preceded byfear, have been preceded by
(33:01):
fear.
Fear is where it all starts,but somehow I find the strength
to push through and do it anyway, and I think that's something
that was learned.
That's something that I had topractice.
I wasn't always like that.
I taught myself to be that way.
I motivated myself into doingthat.
I, you know, prayed myself intodoing that.
So, it's something that wastaught.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.
(33:23):
Fear is just a feeling.
Get on there and just go likeyou got this.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (33:28):
Great, great.
And who would you choose toplay the lead actress in the
film version of that story?
Naeemah LaFond (33:36):
You know I would go with Nia Long.
Oh yeah, I can see that.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (33:40):
I feel fun.
Naeemah LaFond (33:42):
Nia Long.
It just for me.
She just feels like a girl'sgirl, like a regular round the
way girl, and that's who I thinkI am.
But I also see like the heartin her and the passion in her,
so I think that Nia Long wouldbe best and who would you invite
(34:02):
to dinner?
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (34:04):
One famous Black woman, living or
dead?
Who would you invite FamousBlack woman?
Naeemah LaFond (34:08):
I think Oprah, because she just knows a lot.
She knows a lot of people,she's had a lot of conversations
and I think you learn so muchabout life and conversations.
And who's had moreconversations than Oprah, right?
Kutloano Skosana Ric (34:21):
Meaningful ones, right yeah.
Naeemah LaFond (34:24):
Impactful ones.
It's like gathering all thepeople that would be an option
into one person, and that wouldbe Oprah, because she's probably
talked to all of them.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (34:35):
You are so right.
And at the moment, what's yourfavorite hairstyle?
Naeemah LaFond (34:41):
My favorite hairstyle at the moment to do on
someone, On you someone,wherever that takes you.
I think my favorite hairstyleto do on someone is a sleek
ponytail with like a curlyponytail, like a puff, like.
I love a puff, like I love thejuxtaposition between like super
slick and then these big bouncycurls.
(35:03):
It's like it's like straightand curly, it's like a straight
road and then windy road.
I just love that.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (35:12):
And there are many misconceptions
about natural or textured hairat the moment.
What's the one thing that youwould advise people to banish
from their minds when they thinkor deal with textured hair?
Naeemah LaFond (35:23):
That it's hard to do.
It's not hard to do, you justhave to know what you're doing.
Like many things in life.
If you don't know how to do it,it's going to be hard.
But once you know it's not hardto do, once you know what
you're doing, it's not hard todo.
And I hate to hear that,because when people say that,
that also creates barriers for alot of women in beauty, in a
(35:48):
lot of things.
When you say it's hard, thattells, for example, a producer
oh, that model's hair is hard todo, it's going to be hard to
switch her from one look to thenext.
All right, we'll just use thestraight hair girl instead.
So now someone has just lost anopportunity because there was
an assumption made that her hairis hard to do.
(36:08):
So if I were to banishsomething, it's that it's not
hard.
Just you have to know whatyou're doing Great.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (36:15):
And what are you looking forward to in
the next while?
What am I looking?
Naeemah LaFond (36:19):
forward to Just continuing to live authentically
.
I feel like I'm in my groove,like I feel like all the things
that I dreamed of are currentlyhappening.
I'm living a dream right now.
I have the things that Idreamed of are currently
happening.
I'm living a dream right now.
I I have the career that I'vealways dreamed of.
I have the husband that I'vealways dreamed of, having the
(36:39):
daughter that I prayed for, thepeace that I prayed for in life,
and also living out theintentions that I've always had.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (36:49):
Right.
Naeemah LaFond (36:50):
It's just so important to me.
So continuing that I justcontinue to pray for this
continued peace, that's what Iwant Peace.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:00):
You're all about peace, great.
Naeemah LaFond (37:01):
Peace, yes.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:04):
Is there anything else that you'd like
to share that maybe we didn'ttouch on?
Naeemah LaFond (37:10):
If I weren't a hairstylist, I'd be a chef.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:15):
Thank you, I was just going back to my
list.
Naeemah LaFond (37:19):
If I weren't a hairstylist, I'd be a chef, for
sure.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:22):
Oh yeah, you like cooking.
Naeemah LaFond (37:25):
I love cooking.
I grew up at my mother's hipwatching her cook and when I
went to college I roommateedwith like so many different
kinds of people.
I had Asian roommates,panamanian roommate,
african-american roommates,dominican roommates, and I've I
learned from all of them.
So I feel like my cooking is aa mosh pit of all of those like
(37:48):
amazing cultures oh, that's nice.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (37:50):
Do you cook every day for your family
or not?
Every day, maybe like three,four times a week yeah, guys,
and what's your favorite thingto cook, favorite thing?
Naeemah LaFond (37:59):
to cook, I would say haitian food.
I'm haitian, um, because it'slike a low and slow kind of
process right and I love that,especially for a Sunday where I
have nothing to do.
Light a few candles, pour somewine, start cooking.
It's going to take a few hours.
You can sit down, read anexcerpt from a book, get back on
(38:22):
the stove.
I love Haitian cooking for itslow and slow and kind of like
nurturing that you have to do toit.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (38:30):
Yeah, yeah, oh, that's amazing.
Great Sounds like your best wayto spend a Sunday.
Naeemah LaFond (38:37):
Yes, yeah, yeah yeah.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (38:39):
So if people want to work with you,
tap into your knowledge and gethold of you, where can they find
you?
Naeemah LaFond (38:47):
Well, you can find me on my social it's, at
Naeem El-Fan on Instagram andalso on LinkedIn, naeem Elifan.
If you want to learn from me,please come to Texture On Set.
So excited again about thisevent, with Olaplex at the helm
helping me make this happen.
So I really hope that there'scontinued support for that,
(39:10):
because with that support makesit happen again and again and
again.
So, yes, great, wonderful.
Kutloano Skosana Ricci (39:16):
And that is all from me this time around
.
I hope you've enjoyed thisepisode as much as I enjoyed
putting it together.
Thanks to Naima for sharing herstory so generously, and you
can learn more about some of herwork in the show notes.
And while you are there, pleaseshare, like and rate the
podcast so that others can findit.
Five stars would be amazing.
(39:38):
Thank You.
I'm Kutloano Skosana Ricci,and until next time.
Please do take good care.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.