Braids, wigs, weaves and extensions have been the norm for years, but have you heard of crochet braids?
Crochet braids mimic sew-in weaves minus the hassle of covering tracks and restricted styling. They are usually done using a kinkier hair-type that is slip knotted through the natural braid–no glue, or string and lasts for up to 2 months. Deon Lawton, creator of the vixen crochet has changed the game for natural hair techniques. The hair maven is fully booked months in advance, does college giveaways to those in need, sells her own hair and hair products and she’s just getting started. The protective travel hairstylist sat down with The Source.com and explained how she’s not just changing the game, she’s taking risks and changing lives too.
How did you get started with this booming business?
I quit my job at a marketing firm because my boss didn’t like my Marley twists. My hair was in it’s natural state and I just twisted it because I didn’t want to fuss with my hair every morning. He said, “Hey D your hair looks nice, but I like you better with your straight hair.” I didn’t feel like being bothered with a lawsuit and I was the only black girl there so I just decided to quit. I wasn’t going to change my hair.
How did you go from quitting your job to being in high demand?
I did hair on the weekends and I was like well what’s next? A client suggested I get on Instagram and she made an instagram page for me and ever since then it took off.
How did you get such a large following?
I got a lot of shout outs and promotion from Healthy Hair Journey and Berry Curly those are popular natural hair pages and also hash tags!
Did your business pick up right away?
Yes! It picked up right away and I took a huge chance. But it ended up working out way better for me working for myself.
Tell us about your creation— the vixen crochet?
So the vixen is the 4 way style. A young lady named Miss Willow created the vixen sew in which hair is left out to cover the tracks. But I get very bored with my hair, I started out one way and experimented with a client and I did a 2 part to her hair and I was like wow, and it was no leave out. I put it on Instagram and it went viral. I said if I can do 2, I do 3 and if I can do 3… I can do 4 parts.
How do they differ?
You can do more to your hair, pigtails, half up and there’s no hair left out, no glue, no thread, it’s amazing. No leave out no heat damage. Clients loved it.
How did you start traveling the world with this technique?
Everyone was asking me to travel and I wanted to see the world and I love to eat around the world— so it works out (laughs)
What’s the underloop vs the overloop technique?
The underloop method gives you the opportunity to pull the hair all the way up and the overloop method you can still pull up but it’s slightly visible. One is more tedious, the underloop is about 3 hours and the overloop takes about 1 – 2 hours. I’m all about natural and I like the mystery of the crochet braids, is it or isn’t her hair?
What advice would you give budding entrepreneurs?
Life is about taking risks, you can sit back and have an idea and let someone else do it, or you take a risk. Of course it was scary for me but I prayed on it and took the risk and it was worth it.
Check out D’s work below and follow her on Instagram for hair tips and more @CrownedByD !
