Harper’s Hair Culture opening at Northside TownCenter in February
By Lauri Lee
Northside News
Naturally curly hair can be elegant when you understand how to work with it and select the right shampoo, cut and styling.
Harper Cox, the owner of Harper’s Hair Culture, a tight curl specialist salon, learned how to care for her hair the hard way. “I learned what not to do, before I learned what to do. As a bi-racial individual, I inherited my curly hair from my Black father. My mother is white and didn’t have experience with my type of hair and my dad’s Black relatives also didn’t understand curly hair care. The curl in each culture has a different element and the hair is treated differently. It’s hard to know how to shampoo or detangle curly hair. I had to teach myself, and did everything wrong at first,” Cox shared. “But I kept practicing until I figured it out by myself. Now I’m obsessed with curls and want to help everyone with curly hair. I have many Black and Hispanic clients, but the salon is for anyone with curly hair. My services are curated for every gender (women, men, nonbinary) from age 3 and up. The children need to be able to sit still for a long time, as the appointments can be over two hours. I provide education to my clients and for parents who have adopted Black children who want to know how to take care of curly hair.
Harper’s Hair Culture is a curly exclusive salon that specializes in natural tight curls. The services include custom curly cuts, curly color and curly education and are by appointment only. Clients are encouraged to visit the website at harpershairculture.com for booking instructions, a consultation form, information about the salon and the services.
The hair care at the salon is not just about creating custom hair design and color but to fit the client’s lifestyle to always look good, also making sure the hair stays healthy to enhance the natural curl. Our goal is to create the right look that compliments your face shape and curly hair texture while maintaining healthy hair.
Harper’s Hair Culture is relocating after five years on Madison’s westside into the former Serenity Hair Salon and Spa at 1857 Northport Drive in the Northside TownCenter. The salon will open in February. “The space I’m renting has everything I need, plus it is centrally located for my clients. When someone trusts their stylist, they are willing to travel a long way. A good curly cut is hard to find. My clients travel from Milwaukee, Illinois, Madison’s eastside, Sun Prairie and other nearby towns so it helps to be near the interstate. Proximity to the airport is also essential for clients who fly in every month or so for hair services. There’s often a wait list for haircuts.
An appointment is required at Harper’s Hair Culture, you can’t just stop in and get a quick cut. “The appointments are long for curly hair. A new curly cut client can expect an appointment length of two to two-and-a-half hours. Returning clients usually take one to two hours. Curly color and highlights could take a five hour appointment.
At the first appointment, clients receive a full analysis of their hair texture, health and individual hair goals. Along with the curly cut clients receive any and all treatments that are needed to set their hair up for long-lasting success and to better prepare the hair for future treatments such as color and lightening.
Custom color services, with choices from balayage, fashion colors to natural colors are offered. New clients must book a new client service prior to booking a color appointment.
“I create a very welcoming and safe space that is an elevated experience for all my clients. After their appointment, I want them to love how amazing they feel. I pride myself on having incredible treatments and unbeatable customer service at rates we can stand behind.”
Harper’s Hair Culture mission is to be a consultant to their clients, create a community with other hair and beauty professionals, support local business owners and artists, give back to the community, and be eco-conscientious. I also want to run a non-profit to help underprivileged teens and women in creating confidence-boosting hair and image, train and educate both clients and other hair artists in hair health and design.
We are hiring applicants who must have a cosmetology license or be currently attending cosmetology school. Plus, we offer private suites for other entrepreneurs in the beauty/wellness industry. There are four suites to lease out. Renters will have their own niches. Interested parties should visit the website for the application at harpers hairculture.com. We are planning to add a massage therapist, esthetician for waxing and facials, a lash tech, and nail tech soon. As a fellow small business, we understand how stressful it all can be to be in business by yourself. We look forward to supporting a collective of independent business owners who are passionate about growing their business in our collaborative environment.
I love my salon and look forward to helping those born with tight curls be able to love their hair.