OWNER & FOUNDER

Hi!!! I am the owner and founder of STLBRAIDBAR Ive been braiding hair since the age of 10. Taught by my mother Makeesha Willingham who was a kitchen stylist known to slay some hair in her day.

I am a true St. Louisan. Raised in North County, Ferguson, as the oldest of 9 I learned to braid bonding with my mom as she taught me to braid down her hair for braids under her wigs and then eventually went on to do my own hair , my siblings, distant family members and friends from school.

I went on to attend college studying art at UMSL while also working at Prince beauty supply store were I assisted customers and learned a lot about hair care produced for specifically textured hair and all though out that time was always braiding or doing hair on the side. In 2019 I decided to take hair seriously because it had always been the one thing I was consistent with and actually enjoyed while feeding my creative spirit. And that's when STLBRAIDBAR was born.

In 2022 I enrolled in cosmetology school at Paul Mitchell and graduated January 2024 quickly opened my suite located in Central west End in March 2024 with the vision to create a luxury braid experience for the St. Louis area after years of hearing new clients talk about unpleasant experiences when trying to get their hair braided. With so much success in a short amount of time I am now blessed to open my first salon on Hampton Ave in the Clifton Heights area.

HAIR ARTIST

Hey St. Louis!! I’m self-taught, aspiring cosmetologist specializing in natural hair styles, braids, locs, and installs(for now 🤫🥰). My hope is to bring out the best in you and acknowledge/uphold the value of your temple! 🫶🏾

I love doing hair obviously, but I also enjoy singing, traveling, and a bit of graphic design!

As I was growing up, my momdid not know how to really do my hair so straight to the salon I went. My hair was relaxed all the way until I wanted to go natural at 11 years old. I’ve been educating myself since then and have been doing hair consistently from the age of 15. It’s been a journey but I’m so happy to have come this far!