We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 30 Under 30 for 2023, sponsored by Denman Pro.
Today, you will get to know Roxy Reaves (@coastal.curl). She is a 28-year-old stylist at Coastal Curl in Oakland, California.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Roxy Reaves (RR): l’m an avid collector of earrings. I easily have over a hundred pairs, and I’m constantly finding new unique sets I adore. I switch them up often, but my current favorite is a handmade red abalone pair I bought from a native-owned designer called ImKúuhKirih.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment?
RR: This past spring, my team and I celebrated the one year anniversary of our salon, Coastal Curl. As you know, the first year of any new business is the hardest. I’m even more proud now than I was when we grand opened.
BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend?
RR: I’m a huge fan of the textured hair mullet — especially on tight curly and coily hair!
BLP: What is a hair tip you have for your fellow stylists?
RR: Be mindful of the language you use to describe your client’s hair and their hair goals. Common phrases like “taming unruly mane” and “controlling wild frizz” can actually reinforce harmful ideas and negative self-image. Opt for positive encouraging phrases instead, like “let’s heal and rehydrate the hair, so it looks healthier.”
BLP: What do you love about your work?
RR: I love creating an inclusive space where people feel celebrated for their natural beauty. At Coastal Curl, we help people better understand and repair their relationship with their natural hair — and that can lead to powerful transformations in all parts of their life.
BLP: What motivates you about the industry you are in?
RR: l love seeing the strides the industry is taking to be more inclusive and environmentally-friendly. As innovators in the industry, we are going deeper than just aesthetics. It’s revolutionary, and I love being a part of that forward movement.
BLP: What is a professional goal you have for yourself?
RR: l want to continue to make textured haircare and styling education more accessible to a broader range of people. My hope is to expand to Latin America and create bilingual content that inspires millions to embrace their natural hair.
You can see the full list of this year's 30 Under 30 by reading Beauty Launchpad's May/June 2023 digital magazine.
