Cécred: When did you open Headliners, and how did you land on the name?
Ms. Tina: I opened Headliners in the early '90s, in Houston. At the time, I wanted a name that spoke to excellence, to being seen—because when you sit in a salon chair, it’s about more than just your hair. It’s about your confidence and your presence. Headliners” felt right–it said loud and clear that everyone that got their hair done there was a star. Every woman was important and was treated as such. And I loved the word ‘Head’ being in it.
Cécred: What was the vision for Headliners when you first opened it, and how did that vision expand in ways that surprised and motivated you?
Ms. Tina: It was during the ‘90s that me and my friends would spend four, five hours in the salon. Because of that, I wanted a space that valued the time of our clients. I wanted a very welcoming environment that was a full service salon with premium, top-of-the-line products, healthy hair, education and the utmost professionalism–and absolutely no gossiping.
I set out to create a safe space where women could feel taken care of, heard, and celebrated. I wanted a salon that felt like a second home. That energy fueled me more than anything.
Cécred: What did the women who came to your salon to get their hair done teach you?
Ms. Tina: I learned SO much from my clients. They were everything from judges, attorneys and doctors to opera singers, housewives, and mothers–every walk of life. I learned something from each of them and they all had great advice in their fields. But the most important lesson that I learned was that women are resilient and strong and smart and talented. They make the world go 'round.
Cécred: You’ve always been about taking care of hair, not just styling it. And you’ve worked with so many different hair types and textures. What did that teach you about what people actually need from their hair care?
Ms. Tina: There are so many different hair textures. But one thing that is true of all hair types is that they all need a balance of protein and moisture. Also, the more you do to their hair, in terms of blow drying, coloring, flat ironing, curling–all of those things break down the protein and strength in your hair. You must replace those things. All hair needs to be analyzed and put on a healthy regime based on its needs.
Cécred: What do you think people misunderstand about hair–especially textured hair–when they look back at the ‘80s and ‘90s?
Ms. Tina: There were so many untrue myths about textured hair back in the day! I was told countless times that Black hair did not grow long and that you couldn’t have a relaxer and a color treatment at the same time. I was determined to prove this wrong. And I did. As long as the hair is conditioned properly and taken care of, all hair grows. Some faster than others, but it all grows. The trick is to keep it on your head, not breaking off.
Cécred: Cécred feels like a full-circle moment. How does your story and time owning Headliners show up in Cécred’s foundation?
Ms. Tina: We have taken all those years of experience from Headliners, mixed with our founder’s over 20 years of experience in keeping her own hair healthy throughout the abuse that hair takes in show business. All of my prior knowledge and research being in a salon and actually working on real heads of hair played into Cécred, coupled with extensive testing and the best ingredients that we put into this brand.