Stylist of the Year 2014

Charlotte Mensah – Hair Lounge

 Charlotte Mensah from Hair Lounge won the coveted Hair Stylist of the Year 2014 at the annual Black Beauty/Sensationnel Hair Awards

Congratulations on winning for the second time in a row! How does it feel to win again?
The outpouring of congratulations, good wishes and the sense of there being so many people truly excited for me and my team has been incredibly gratifying. I do feel tremendously honoured to be flying the flag for afro hair.

How would you sum up this collection in a sentence?
Powerful feminine vibes, using different textures and finishes.

What goes into preparing a shoot like this?
Preparation is the key, keeping the creative vision ‘I feel tremendously honoured to be flying the flag for afro hair’ in mind at all times. As a perfectionist, I never walk away until I have the results that I set out to achieve.

Chefs have a favourite recipe, so what’s your favourite hairstyle?
I love classic styles with a modern twist. These type of hair styles are tasteful and beautiful.

I feel tremendously honoured to be flying the flag for afro hair

When it comes to hair what’s your pet peeve?
I dislike it when I see people who have curled their hair with curling tongs but haven’t combed it out. I also hate to see bad weaves that aren’t installed properly and don’t match the person’s natural hair.

What was the last hairstyle picture you liked on Instagram and who was it by? ‘
Gone with the Wind’ and also ‘Red Stripes’ by Les Icons.

What’s your New Year hair resolution?
Try something new and different.

Photography by John Rawson. Hair by Charlotte Mensah at Hair Lounge, 347 Portobello Road, London W10. Tel: 020 8969 9444. Make-up by Nana Yaa Grant