I met Kennedy in 2016 in New York City when I was attending Aveda Institute for cosmetology school. We connected on Instagram and she told me she wanted a drastic change haircut, and it just so happened I needed a model for a campaign with Essence and Aveda - so the timing was perfect!
(watch "Experience Aveda Institute NYC" 2016 here)
After that we became friends and I am the only person she will let cut her hair, so for the last nine years, I have been helping her maintain the health of her hair. In 2019, I relocated to Atlanta and Kennedy did so around the same time. After not having a salon for the last six years, I am back behind the chair (in a very limited capacity) and in this tutorial I am sharing the MoKnowsHair Salon experience with Kennedy!
To begin, I detoxed her scalp with the Scalp Clarifier. This formula is made to remove build-up, gently exfoliate and balance pH for healthier hair growth. It is packed with salicylic acid to minimize dandruff and reduce itchiness, sea kelp to increase scalp circulation and Indian winter cherry, an anti-inflammatory root that reduces hair loss and damage.
Next, I shampoo with The Ultimate Hydrator. I named it this because it’s literally the ultimate way to install moisture into your strands. Proper cleansing sets the foundation for healthy hair and moisture retention. This formula has vitamin packed Carrot seed oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein to strengthen and marshmallow root to improve elasticity. I also created this formula to help with detangling and smoothing the strands.
Next I am going to deep conditioning with micro mist steam. The Elasticity Restoring Treatment is my #1 best seller for a reason, it works. I made it to address the most pressing, common concern for all hair types – breakage. With consistent, weekly use, more length is retained because your strands will break less, because they’re able to hold moisture longer and are stronger from the inside out.
This formula has very special mix of butters, botanicals, oils and protein to give your hair everything it needs to be healthy. The hydrolyzed quinoa in this treatment is the only protein with all 9 amino acids in the chain, allowing it to strengthen the hair shaft while also hydrating. The Mongongo oil is a fatty acid that forms a protective barrier on the strands to prevent moisture loss and the mango seed butter restores elasticity.
Kennedy requested a silk press, and generally she just prefers to have her hair cut when straight, so I am prepping for her blow dry with my NEW thermal serum that will be coming your way soon! I formulated it to be multi-benefit product meaning you can do more than one thing with it. It can be used for blowouts and silk presses up to 450 degrees of direct heat, but can also be used with curly styling products as a treatment for anti-humidity protection. I made it extra conditioning, so you won’t get that dried out feeling that can often happen with other heat protectants. It’s truly made to protect your hair no matter how often or how little you engage thermal styling.
I am using my FHI Heat platform ceramic flat iron on 400 degrees, in just one pass, to silk press. What I love most about these irons is the smooth coating on the plates that doesn’t catch in the hair and I don’t have to worry about heat damage. These ceramic irons are much healthier options for curly hair because they stabilize the temperature and evenly distribute the heat flow so it won’t pass too much heat into the strands like titanium irons can do. Kennedy wears her hair curly 99% of the time, so I care about protecting her curls.
Use code MOKNOWSHAIR for an additional 10% off any FHI Heat purchase!
Kennedy wants her hair to be as close to all one length as possible, so I am squaring the back so when it’s curly it doesn’t shrink into a mullet, and then just doing some slight graduated face framing to blend the piece in the front that are a bit shorter.
To I am going to finish her style with loose curls to soften the flow of her silk press. I am using my T3 Micro ceramic 1.5 inch iron and doing simple barrel curls and clipping it to cool, otherwise known as a hard set. For light, volumizing hold, I am using Agadir Argan Oil hairspray because it’s flexible, thermal safe, humidity resistant and doesn’t get sticky in the hair. After combing out the curls, I'll spray a little Mizani HD Shyne and that’s it!
Check out Kennedy's Instagram (@presidentkennedy) and YouTube channel (Kennedy J)!
You will find detailed MoKnowsHair product descriptions on each product's page and appointment info. on the salon page.
