Interview with Sharece Young, Owner of Hair Youphoria (Tampa, FL)

I remember my first visit to Sharece back in April of this year. My mother has been a client of hers for quite some time and was on me about me making my first appointment. My last relaxer was a little over a month prior to that initial appointment and having been relaxed (chemical straightening a.k.a. permed) for longer than I care to admit. I was used to a certain look. I was adamant about getting my relaxer retouched (yes, at my first appointment) but after our consultation, we mutually decided on a service that was much less invasive — a silk press. I wasn’t totally sold on it (at first) because I was unfamiliar with that process. However, the truth is that my hair was over-processed and the silk press was the best way to go.

Deciding against that relaxer retouch was one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. I was able to keep my usual look, get my hair to a healthier state, and gained a new relationship in the process. Sharece’s knowledge and love for healthy hair made me comfortable enough to start the journey to being natural (no chemicals) with her. Therefore, I wanted to share that knowledge with all of you.

Let’s dive right in!

Sharece, thank you so much for allowing me to interview you!

How would you describe Hair Youphoria in 3 words?

Customer Driven Services – Everything I do is centered on the customers’ needs and desires.

How long have you been a haircare specialist?

I entered the hair care industry many years ago. However, I began specializing in hair care in 2005.

What’s your favorite part about your craft?

Simply put — learning, sharing, and service. Customers trust my expertise and follow my advice which allows for excellent results. As a trusted professional it is important to take classes regularly. Knowledge is beneficial to everyone involved.

As a hair care specialist, I know you work on all types of hair. Tell me a little about your love for working with natural hair.

The versatility natural hair offers is endless! Natural tresses have more options than relaxed or permed hair.

When it comes to transitioning to natural, is a “big chop” necessary? Why or why not?

A big chop is not necessary it’s a personal choice. There are other alternatives such as sets, braids, and extensions.

What can people that are transitioning do at home to care for their hair properly?

There is a lot of information out there (ex. websites, blogs, vlogs, etc.) to educate and instruct individuals during the transition process. I will say that home care can be more challenging. For those that embrace the journey and have the time and desire to do so, I would definitely advise them to confirm everything with a professional. A few key practices would be to — maintain a healthy balance between moisturizing and strengthening treatments, get trims when needed, and DO NOT detangle hair from the root.

What would you say to someone that is considering making the transition to natural?

Consider your reasons for wanting to make the transition and then compare them to your lifestyle. Is it for health reasons? Finances? Convenience? Do you have the extra time it requires?

You’ve made my transition to natural an amazing, stress-free process. I still have a long way to go but it’s so much more manageable with professional help. What can you tell readers about how the process has been so far from your perspective?

The journey with you has been great. Your trust in my knowledge and recommendations as a licensed professional is inspiring. You have 2-2 ½ inches of healthy new growth in less than six months.

Well folks, that’s all for Part 1 of You Don’t Gotta Chop to Kick it — Interview with Sharece Young of Hair Youphoria. With that being said, make sure you head on over to www.hairyouphoria.com to learn more about Sharece and all her services. If you’re in the Tampa Bay Area, I strongly recommend you check her out!

Stay tuned for the next segment of the interview to learn more about the steps I took to get my transition started.

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