Meet Sydnee Smith | Hair stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydnee Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydnee, how do you think about risk?
I think risk taking isn’t for everyone. But for the people who are not afraid to fall just to see how to properly stand tall.

4 years ago I left my home of 26 years Indianapolis, IN. My mother had passed a year prior and I was at the lowest part of my life. I remember my mother telling me that if anything should happen to her I was to go to Oregon to be with my father.

I sold my things packed up my place. My dad came my 6 year old daughter and I away. I arrived in Portland on my mother’s birthday. I knew no one but my dad. I had no job and no place to live. I remember my father asking me what my plans where as we approached the city limits. I told him my plans where to take over. To create a name that’s known from Alaska to LA.

Today I have serviced over 500 black women in the PNW (Pacific North West). I have created a lane that didn’t exist in a place that needed it the most. All because I took a risk. I had no idea what I was in for but I didn’t let that stop me. I took a risk and found my purpose in helping women just like me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Texture specialist and Vegan Blowout Innovator. Back home in Indianapolis I trained at a natural hair salon. The salon owner came up with a name for her silk press process. She called it the vegan Blowout. At the time Vegan Blowout Was vegan an aspect but not overall. I Trained under her for a little over two years. It was very hard I earned hardly anything and I didn’t have a lot of clients. I was a single mom just trying to find my way. I struggle Was struggling with ADHD and anxiety so it was very hard for me to learn and stay organized. It was a struggle I was often misunderstood and because of that the work environment became a little toxic. But I don’t regret any of it. Those moments of hardship built me up to be the stylist I am today. When I moved to Oregon I started to further my spiritual journey. On my spiritual journey I became vegan for about 2 1/2 years. I was desperately searching for information about life and myself. I started to learn the power of plants in their healing properties. I wanted to incorporate that in my work. I then started doing research on hair products and their ingredients. I had realized that the hair products marketed to black women and hair products in general had some very harmful ingredients. I then became more conscious of all the ingredients that I put in my clients hair. I started using and creating plant-based products to use on my clients hair.

At the time I had very few clients. I would catch two buses and a train with my six-year-old daughter just to go to the salon to sit by the phone and hope a client will call and need their hair done. I was also working at Nordstrom full-time doing make up. I was passing out cards and approaching any black woman that I saw because we were rare where I lived at the time. Still I never gave up and I kept approaching random black women and putting out good work and it paid off. Being a single mother in a new city battling with stress anxiety and so many other elements can break even the strongest person. But I knew that I was not easily broken and that I had a job to do and that this was my purpose. To help women like my mother and my daughter and my aunts and my sisters.

There are so many unknown things about our hair. The way we look at our hair the way we compare our hair. I wanted to change the narrative. I know that we are from the earth and the earth will heal us. And I use that in my methods of doing hair. I try to lift the load that we carry as black women and women of color. And to grant peace and tranquility Even if it’s just for a moment when you were in my chair.Being conscious and mindful of our environment. Also what we are putting into our bodies even if it’s on our scalps is a must for me. To ensure the next generation and this generation of black women love their hair. That they understand that it is beautiful in each and every form that it comes in. To cater to their crown inside and out. I am the Brown Alchemist.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start by taking them on Alberta. Alberta is a street and the only black neighborhood in Portland. The neighborhood has since been gentrified but still has the essence of black people. We would go get crystals and incense and eat well and drink wine. Then I would take her to the Japanese garden. Portland is the mirror image of Japan.We have a lot of the same plants and weather. The Japanese garden connects them both. I would then take her on a ride to the ocean and while driving stop by a few lavender fields just to stop and smell the air. Then lastly We would arrive at the coast where we can cleanse our crystals and some fresh salt water and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the ocean.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is dedicated to my tribe, my trinity. My mother and spirit guide Maria Haynes. You left my physically so you could help God watch over me. My father William L. Smith. You have always came to my rescue whenever I have needed you and I’m forever grateful for you. My daughter and savior Noelle Nichole. You saved me. You love me where I am no matter how I am. You speak life and love into me everyday. You believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself. You are my soul and earth mate. I love you to the multiverse and beyond kid .

Website: Www.Lsmithbeauty.com

Instagram: Beautyby_Lsmith