Anu Prestonia (c) Khamit Kinks

Anu Prestonia is the president and owner of Khamit Kinks one of New York's most famous natural hair care salons. As a natural hair care industry guru, Ms. Prestonia has been setting trends since she started her first home based salon in 1978.

About Anu

Natural Hair Care Guide: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you first got started working with hair?

Anu Prestonia: I grew up in Norfolk, Virginia and my Grandmother was a professional hairstylist. I always had my hair done up especially on holidays etc. When I was ten my family relocated to NY where I had my first and only perm. I ended up with sores in my head and had to have all my hair cut off. After that I was afraid of chemically treating my hair and never have since then. While attending Howard University small braids with tiny beading became the rage. I knew how to braid and started braiding hair while on summer break and never looked back.

NHCG: Did you work in another area of the hair care industry before you decided to start Khamit Kinks?

AP: Yes, I did work in a couple in traditional salons. However, I was always the odd one because I always did natural hair. I eventually opened up business in my brownstone because I found that traditional salons didn't have the right environment for what I was doing. Natural hair is about so much more than the hair. It's also about culture and self- awareness. It brings with it a different mindset.

Khamit Kinks

NHCG: What were some of the things lead you to open your salon?

AP: It was a goal that I had because I had my business in my home for nearly two decades. In addition to that we needed to expand. In my house, I had one floor devoted to Khamit Kinks. We had four stations and we had an office/lounge area. That only left room for one shampoo bowl and one dryer. We had outgrown the space and had no room for expansion.

NHCG: Tell us a little bit about your philosophy on natural hair care.

AP: My philosophy about natural hair is that it's a part of self- acceptance. It's also a spiritual connection to ones self. Instead of trying to emulate others, I believe that wearing one's hair in its natural state is an embracing of ones own esthetic and the ways of our ancestor and our own culture. So I believe natural hair is a way of life that fosters self-expression and self-love,

NHCG: It seems that more and more women are making the choice to go natural. Have you seen this reflected in the demand for your services?

AP: Definitely there's been an increase in women going natural. They all thought it was a trend back in the 70's when I began. But a trend doesn't last for decades. This is an awakening and evolutionary process very much in line with going green, eating natural foods and a return to what's real and living in harmony with truth.

NHCG: Give us an idea of some of the methods that you use to help your clients in their transition process.

AP: We first begin with a consultation to ascertain the client's needs based on their lifestyle, whether or not they exercise, if they prefer a style that has options or if they want something that is stationary, something with little maintenance etc. From there we decide together what would best suit their type of hair and lifestyle.

NHCG: What types of styles are popular in your salon?

AP: Right now the most popular styles are twist. We offer twist in many versions because each hair extension type changes the look of the twist style. Of course Locs are still very popular as well as very textured weaves.

NHCG: As more and more natural salons spring up, what are some things that set you apart from the crowd?

AP: We believe that attention to details and quality customer service sets us apart. We strive to have a professional environment regardless of circumstances and personality types. Stuff happens but if you practice open and honest communication with clients they appreciate that. We also strive to be active listeners, so that we can really understand what are clients are looking for instead of trying to force on them what's expedient for us.

NHCG: Do you specialize in a particular area of natural hair care?

AP: We specialize in educating our clients about our products (hairstyles). We also specialize in educating clients about the importance of taking care of their own hair. There's been a tendency to take care of the extension hair better than you take care of your own hair and that is not a sustainable way to handle one's hair.

On Being Natural

NHCG: Tell us about your personal natural journey.

AP: Many of my life's lessons have come from my work. Through interacting with all types of people, through faces challenges financial, staff related, and the list goes on. Many of my blessings have come through being in this business. And so it's been a very special process.

NHCG: Have you seen attitudes about natural hair change?

AP: Yes, I have seen attitudes change. People are much more accepting of themselves and their hair and therefore others have accepted it too. This is true not only in the work place but many times in the families of many of our clients. And as a people who were taught to hate every thing about ourselves, who'd ever think the day would come when we'd actually purchase kinky textured hair?

NHCG: Share with us some things that have helped you to stay natural.

AP: To me there has been no other option. I see woman everyday who come through our doors with hair that has been damaged through the use of chemicals. Either their hair fell out dramatically or over the years it just thinned out until it became of fraction of what it use to be. That has no appeal to me. Therefore, natural hair has no competition in my book.

Advice and Tips

NHCG: When looking for a natural stylist or braider, what are some questions that you would recommend asking before booking an appointment?

AP: Find out how long the Stylist has been working at that salon and how long they've been practicing the styling you're interested in. I call it practice because we're always learning because every client has a different palette, so to speak, to work from.

NHCG: When looking for styling products for home styling, are there any brands that you recommend?

AP: Of course I recommend natural brands like Khamit Kinks, Jane Carter and Carol's Daughter.

NHCG: Are there any brands that you recommend avoiding?

AP: I recommend avoiding products with high alcohol content.

NHCG: Many of our readers are beginning the process of transitioning from chemicals to natural. What are some tips that you can give them to help them on their journey?

AP: I recommend they read our website. We have many tips on there and this particular question is answered on our FAQ page.

NHCG: What advice would you give to ladies who have been natural for some time but are beginning to feel like giving up on natural hair?

AP: They can go there if they like, but they should do so with caution. They should be very particular about the place and the Stylist. They may start by just blow drying their hair straight, using a flat iron or even press and curl before going to the chemicals.

Final Thoughts

NHCG: Do you have any specials or promotions that you would like to tell our readers about?

AP: We have discount Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Loc clients and discount Thursdays for Sister Lock touch ups. We also have a referral program. When you refer three clients they each receive a discount and so do you.

NHCG: What is the best way to get an appointment in your salon? Do you take walk-ins?

AP: In this high tech age, we highly recommend that clients read our website. They can become an educated consumer, because many of the questions that clients ask us over the phone, via email, can be found on the website. We also recommend clients to come in for a consultation. We take walk-ins if we can accommodate them. That's taking a chance instead of being certain by making an appointment.

NHCG: What are some of your plans for your salon in the future?

AP: Our plans for the future are to offer other services such as nail and skin services.

Visit Ms. Prestonia on the web at www.khamitkinks.com . There you will find some amazing pictures of natural and natural weave styles. You can also book an appointment online.

This article marks the beginning of a series of interviews with Natural Hair Care Salons Owners. If you are a natural salon owner and would like to have your salon featured in this series, contact me.

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