Making WAVES

In this issue we put the spotlight on Johannesburg salon, Raeesa International. Joanna Sterkowicz speaks to owner/founder and award-winning stylist, Raeesa Dawood, about her journey in the industry

"I believe it is important for stylists to enter competitions as it motivates you and drives your creativity. Awards success helps to market your services because it sets you apart from the rest and gives clients more confidence in you."

In January 2021, Raeesa Dawood made the decision to move her then one-woman business from Terenzo Suites in Dunkeld, Johannesburg to her own independent salon in Parkhurst, where she employs other stylists as well. In addition, the salon offers nail and beauty services.

“The main motivation for branching out was my passion for hair and a love for the atmosphere that big salons generate,” says Raeesa. “In terms of location, I needed to be central for all my clients as they travel from far and wide to come to us. The property at number 10, Sixth Street, was available at the time, as well as the opportunity to renovate the building.”

Raeesa points out that she does not target a particular client demographic in terms of age or ethnicity. “We try to expand our customer base and not limit it,” she explains.

Winning streak

As a young stylist, Raeesa has already won two highly prestigious awards, both presented in 2020. She is the recipient of the Twincare Hairstylist of the Year Award (for her ‘Silk Route’ themed East-West Show), as well as the Salon International Up & Coming Hairdresser of the Year Award.

Says Raeesa: “I believe it is important for stylists to enter these types of competitions as it motivates you and drives your creativity. Awards success helps to market your services because it sets you apart from the rest and gives clients more confidence in you. However, I haven’t entered any competitions since 2020 as I’ve been focusing on other avenues, but I do intend on entering a few this year.”

Colour

Although Raeesa regularly performs cuts and styling as well, it is the colour services that she most enjoys. “I love to see transformations and how they can impact the client’s look in positive ways.”

She has always been very focused on education and enjoys attending local courses and at least one international course a year.

“In 2022, I travelled for training to Dubai with Mounir and that was my first international course following Covid. The Mounir training taught me a lot of new techniques that have really polished my cuts and colours and which have allowed me to achieve more seamless looks on my clients.”

Mounir hails from Lebanon and is an internationally renowned artist and ‘beauty revolutionist’, who empowers hair designers to reach new heights and progress forward in their work.

Trends

As to the current overseas trends in hair colour, such as the bright and vivid ‘dopamine’ look, or pretty pastel shades, Raeesa notes that she has a more conservative client base that doesn’t tend to request weird and wonderful hair colours.

In terms of trending haircuts, ‘the butterfly’ is very common in Raeesa’s salon. This cut has lots of wispy, descending layers that are pulled away from the face instead of inward, to mimic a butterfly’s fluttering wings. It has been described as a mix between the shag haircut from the 1970s and the 1990s blowout.

Brands

As a Schwarzkopf Professional pro team member, Raeesa mainly sticks to hair products from this brand. For styling tools, the salon uses Glampalm as well as ghd and BaByliss PRO.

“Our salon is a ladies only salon and our customer service ethos is to make a positive difference to clients. It took years of education and perseverance to get me to this point and still requires energy to run and fuel my career and salon business.

“The advice that I would give to others in hairdressing is that most importantly, always educate yourself, upgrade your skill set and share knowledge. You will find more passion for your art and the industry itself in doing so,” concludes Raeesa.