For celebrity hairstylist Rukey Styles, life wasn’t always all glitz and glam. A South Side native who took classes at the Art Institute of Chicago at age 9, Styles spent time in homeless shelters after high school before finding her place in the competitive beauty industry. As the founder and owner of Harmony Restored Inc., a nonsurgical hair restoration company, Styles lends her talents to celebs like R. Kelly and Angela Bassett, while also providing services for the homeless, battered women and cancer patients. For Styles, the work goes far deeper than hair.
–gavin philip godfrey
How did you become a celebrity hairstylist?
[Rapper] Twista was working on a calendar and I was asked to [add my talents] and I did it and I enjoyed it. From there on word of mouth spread and I’ve worked on other projects.
What are some of the challenges of styling the stars?
When you’re working with celebrities you have to have a little bit more [patience] because they live a busy lifestyle, and you have to be kind of quick — especially if you’re on set. You have to stay on top of the new trends … and you have to be able to deliver.
What is the most overrated hair trend in 2009?
The lace-front wig. People are purchasing the commercial wigs in the beauty supply store and you can’t just purchase some hair and put it on your head. Everyone’s head is made differently, everyone’s hairline is different, so people, if you’re going to get a lace-front wig, get a [custom-made] one, so it looks natural.
What’s the most gratifying part of your job?
It’s really life changing … to give them [their hair] back. It’s more than just hair — it’s their self-esteem — hair does a lot for a person, so each time is very fulfilling and life-changing.
