IT is no secret that any kind of therapy is costly and somewhat impersonal which makes it a go-to solution only when you really need to. However what if there was a form of therapy that was actually enjoyable?
Well, today’s FITC is technically no therapist but she does possess the skills that could prove to be extremely therapeutic for many a client.
Landy Remy is a shy and reserved 30 year old hairdresser who uses her passion for styling hair to lift the spirits of all who set foot in her salon, “The Grooming Lounge” along the Darling Road in Castries.
For as long as beauty salons have existed, women have flocked to them not only to get the latest hairstyles but to get a chance to sit down with other women and have some long and entertaining girly chats about any and everything.
For some it’s a chance to release some tension and stress and for others, it’s simply an escape from their regular lives and so just for a couple of hours at a time, hairdressers actually play a massive role and hold more power than they are credited for.
Here is what the hair “therapist” had to say about the magic in her hands.
The VOICE: What is it about hairdressing that you love so much?
Landy: The thing is that I grew up doing it since the age of five when I used to play with my dolls and I used to be doing hair and I actually officially started doing hair at the age of ten. I used to do it for my friends until I left school and I started working. I love all types of hair but natural hair is my favourite thing because there are no chemicals involved. I know that chemicals have negative effects on the body that can get you sick…I had my own complications with them, so I went to do my courses and decided to become self employed.
The VOICE: Tell me about the Grooming Lounge.
Landy: My business is very simple and we do everything from relaxed and natural hair to pedicures and manicures. But I specialise in locks, cornrows and different styling for locks. I also treat damaged locks. I’ve been up and running for five months and it’s going nice and smooth with clients coming in one by one but I can always use more customers.
The VOICE: It is unquestionable that beauty salons are therapeutic to clients, why do you think that so?
Landy: The thing about it is that when a woman comes to a salon, to me she is supposed to be able to sit down and have a nice one on one conversation with the beautician so then they could release some stress. In my establishment when you come, I go a bit further by offering my clients coffee and tea as well as snacks and that helps them to relax and feel more at home especially after work.
The VOICE: How does it make you feel when women, sometimes complete strangers come over to confide in you as a form of therapy?
Landy: To me it’s nice because I feel like I’m an all-rounder just by making you look nice and at the same time, give you advice as well. Even I take some advice from my customers as well and that helps me better my life and even the business.
The VOICE: What are the highlights of being a hairdresser?
Landy: I love that it gives me the opportunity to be able to travel around the world and to visit different foreign salons seeing and meeting different customers. This helps me to improve my business.
The VOICE: What about the negative side to the profession?
Landy: The lowest aspect of hairdressing is the slow days. You know there are slow days in business. It is very challenging sometimes.
The VOICE: With the state of the economy, many people, namely young women are frustrated because they can’t find employment. Yet here you are doing what you love. What would you say to these young people to inspire them to capitalise on what they are good at?
Landy: To me, a lot of young women, if they have ambition and they really want to have something in life, need to get out there and really look for work. In this field, go to the salons. A lot of the salons need young women to come and work because a lot of the older professionals are tired and need the younger generation to step in. There are many opportunities for young women because doing hair is a talent and if you take it into consideration then you can make money out of it. I myself am looking for somebody with the skill and drive to work to come on board with me. This goes out to the young men as well because barbering is a good way to make money.
The VOICE: What does it take to do what you do?
Landy: You must be professional in everything that you do. You need to know how to treat and speak to customers and it doesn’t matter if the person is a ghetto person or if they come from an office, it doesn’t matter. They could be a minister or whoever but you need to know that when they come, they are customers and you need to give them proper service.
