Finding the right fit for a hair artist can be somewhere near the top of the critical importance list of relationships we create in our life. A professional that helps you understand and explore your identity through your hair is a tall order and the process is often one that people end up "settling" with. As Capybara Hair Lounge grows with talent possessing various specialties, it becomes just as important that you, a new reader, gets to know more about our hair artists so you enthusiastically book your best fit and have your expectations exceeded. Today we have a chat with one of the artists here that may be your ideal fit to trust your hair with. This is Lydia Grace.
Tell us about how you found your path as a hair artist. When did it really sink in to commit in making this your profession?
Lydia: Growing up with curly hair was always a challenge. I spent a lot of time going with my mother to various salons to manage the big poof ball that dominated my head. What stuck out to me that I was always enamored by were the stacks of magazines in the waiting room with seemingly endless amounts of different looks one could achieve, but all having a theme- that they all had straight hair and none looked like me. Being an already artistic child, I would express my own creative visions through my mediums at the time, which were dolls and drawings. When I entered middle school at the age of 12 we had a “pick your career and college” project and I knew exactly what I was going to do- I was going to pick a beauty college and do my project on being a cosmetologist so I could be the representation for the countless other people out there who had hair like mine. I then spent the next 10 years experimenting with mine and my friends hair before finally entering beauty school to make my goals a reality.
Well we know one answer already, but what are all the specialties you gravitated to and why?
Lydia: I naturally gravitated towards curly hair of course, but also healthy hair care. I struggled throughout my teen years with dry, brittle, stiff hair from chemical processing and heat damage so I really focus on the health of the hair before anything else. Healthy hair = healthy curls and that is the key! Color also spoke to me greatly as the balayage trend became exceedingly popular in the 2010s. I love doing lived in blended dimensional color that grows out seamlessly allowing the client to go longer without feeling the need to get their hair touched up as often.
Right, hair trends are enterally cycling and evolving; always keeping everyone busy. Is there anything you would like to see more of and/or less of in the industry?
Lydia: As much as I adore all of the different hair trends we have out there I feel as though we should ultimately be following our hearts in how we want to feel as individual people and use our hair as a canvas rather than maybe just doing something because everyone on Instagram or TikTok has it. Additionally, I love to see the flourish of community and togetherness fellow hairstylists are adopting for one another in this industry more than ever before.
Yes, supporting one another on their individual goals and aspirations creates an environment that transcends hair artistry. Are there any recreational passions that you have been pursuing or want to pursue?
Lydia: Aside from my passion as a hair artist, I also have a great passion for music, art, and fashion. I have been singing since I was a small child and am currently pursuing my own musical endeavors such as songwriting and performing shows around the Walnut Creek area such as Club 1220. I also am pursuing modeling and fashion, working with various photographers to collaborate on photoshoots.
That's amazing. With so many interests to keep busy with, what would an ideal day off look like for you?
Lydia: An ideal day off would be to have a breakfast date out with my boyfriend, go on a nice walk somewhere beautiful out in nature, then meet up with friends later for some karaoke and drinks!
Oh, I have to ask then: Being that you are a singer, what would you say is your best and/or favorite song to perform in karaoke?
Lydia: Ooh that's such a hard one since I love singing all different kinds of songs...But "Summerboy" by Lady Gaga or any good 80's classic like "Upside Down" by Diana Ross are my go-to!
We'd definitely love to see you do those sometime! We appreciate your time to share so much of your thoughts and life. In closing, what is the one thing you want to ensure a new client that books with you understands about you before they sit in the chair?
Lydia: I want to ensure every new client knows that all are welcome in my chair. I want my chair to be a safe space for all people to use their hair as a canvas to let their personality and inner voice speak outwardly to the world. I want to fulfill each clients individual dreams not only for how their hair looks, but how it makes them feel. I believe in individuality, creativity, and freedom of expression so you’ll rarely ever hear a “no we can’t do that” coming from my chair. I want to say YES! And make the clients vision for themselves come to life.
A big thank you to Lydia Grace for her time for this feature. If you are interested in learning more about her professional career, you can click here to our Stylist's page with her bio. Or if you've read enough and want to book, click here and book now!
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