Although she grew up with a mother who was a hairdresser and who often styled her hair in elaborate braids and beaded ornaments, Wait for RileyThe desire to develop into a hairdresser didn’t really come until she attended nursing school. “My desire to become a hairdresser was fueled by my strong beliefs about hair that I had while working in nursing school as a secretary for the cosmetology program,” Amika Stylists Collective member tells ESSENCE. “I found myself spending more time helping students in the classroom than I did focusing on secretarial duties.”

After several years of studying at Florida State College in Jacksonville, the Florida-born student pursued skilled hair styling, working with legendary Oscar James AND Chuckie Amos in New York. She has since opened a hair salon of the same name, PK Loungewhich is already over 20 years old and was even featured in ELLE’s rating of “100 Best Salons in America”.

In addition, her area of interest in textured hair and editorial styling has earned her three NAHA nominations and a win for Texture Artist of the Year, in addition to work in publications comparable to and ESSENCE. As an advocate for diversity and integration“I have a passion for creating artistic and editorial work that celebrates the expansion and boundless beauty of diverse cultures,” says Riley. “While we work with our hands to create external transformations, we truly serve as vessels for healing. That, to me, embodies the essence of beauty.”

Below, this talented hairstylist shares what hair means to her, the truth about hair oils, and why we shouldn’t ignore scalp care products.

Her current favorite products:

I’m currently deeply focused on hair products that help repair hair bonds and promote scalp care. Scalp care is an area that has often been missed, especially in products for black women. One of my current obsessions is Smooth Over Amika Systemwhich played a key role in taming frizz and enhancing curl definition. The most significant thing for me is that these products are secure, gentle and suitable for all hair textures.

Her favorite hairstyles:

My preferred hairstyles deal with color and shape. I’m open to each curly and straight hairstyles so long as they make the person feel comfortable, but I pay special attention to the overall shape of the hair. In addition, I even have a powerful passion for incorporating natural hair extensions to enrich hairstyles. I consider that the importance of matching textures is usually neglected in the market, which is why I founded and use True And Pure Texture Hair Extensions in order that they mix perfectly with natural hair, emphasizing its overall appearance.

Her top tip for healthy hair:

My primary tip for keeping your hair healthy is to maintain your scalp clean and balanced. Your scalp is just as essential as your face, and when it’s clogged and dirty, your hair follicles can suffocate, resulting in hair damage. I really consider that neglecting your scalp health can lead to unhealthy, dull hair.

A hair myth I need to bust:

One of the myths I need to debunk about hair care is that heavy oils are good on your hair. They can actually lock in moisture and create buildup in your scalp, suffocating your hair follicles. Another misconception is that if someone has extensions, they will’t have real hair. However, extensions are like fashion accessories today, supplying you with the freedom to alter up your look every time you wish. You do what you wish, no matter what others may assume about your hair!

What she learned from her clients:

One of the strongest lessons from my clients that has deeply moved me is the realization that we may be healers for one another in the right setting. Building a nurturing atmosphere at Salon Pk has fostered each personal and collective healing. Interacting with clients over time has given me invaluable insights into achieving goals, staying focused, and persevering in the face of life’s challenges. I even have learned this through personal communication with many ladies I even have had the privilege of touching and caring for.

How it supports its clients:

I all the time remind my clients that their uniqueness is their superpower. No one can wear or act like them. Their individual beauty inspires me, not only my talent. Their beauty shines through, and my talent is merely a celebration of that beauty, not the other way around.

I even have no doubts about my role as a healer. I even have lost count of the times I even have comforted clients as they shared their emotional journeys, whether it was cutting their hair because of cancer, transitioning to a brand new job, or getting hair extensions to re-enter the dating scene. While we work with our hands to create external transformations, we truly function vessels of healing. We are holistic healers, working to nurture and heal from the inside out that others see on the outside.