One on One with Naeemah Carre

Just picture it, you’re a woman of a certain age and you are in need of hair appointment. You don’t want to be embarrassed with a hairstyle that is less than flattering to your personality. In your walk into a place where you don’t know anyone nor do you know the reputation of the business but you put your trust in a gifted and trusted hairstylist. Many will tell you that there is one who is trust as well as gifted with tons of personality. Her name: Naeemah Carre.

Naeemah, with her signature 'Big Hair' is known by her loyal clients and colleagues to be very unassuming and quite laid back. Her clients rage from NYC's top socialites to top models, to the regular girl next door. She began her career while away at college and slowly but surely her skills and talents took off. Her first clients were her friends and room-mates who remain loyal to her to this day.

Naeemah decided to move back to NYC, where she decided to officially pursue her hair styling career. She did so with self taught skills until she was able to raise enough money to pay for school and dream a bigger dream. Her commercial and editorial work appeared in both national and international advertisements and publications even before receiving any formal training.

With persistence and dedication, Naeemah went on to attend the well-known and respected Aveda Carsten Institute of Cosmetology in New York City. It was there that her innate skills, abilities, and talents flourished in a formal setting.

Upon graduating, the buzz soon grew as she began to freelance and branch out on her own and became known for her creative editorial work and stunning bridal creations. She has worked with celebrity makeup artists and top fashion photographers, even participating in New York Fashion week and Bridal Fashion week as she lends her creativity and talents to the runway.

The rising star is currently residing in New York City where she specializes in bridal hair styling and inspires women to be their most beautiful selves through her work at the acclaimed Blow The New York Blow Dry bar.

I had the awesome opportunity of interviewing her and I can honestly say, she is a humble and gifted talent. Let’s take a look at her story,

Naeemah, I must tell you, this is a great opportunity for me. Your work is amazing and Cutting Edge.
Why thank you, I am grateful for every opportunity.

Where do you hail from?
I was born and raised in Brooklyn NY. I am of Haitian decent and my mom was a single mother of 4. She wanted me to be a doctor and really tried to oblige her. I attended the State University of NY at Buffalo for three years before realizing that my calling is in the beauty industry.

Really? Tell our readers how your descent into your calling transpired?
Actually, I fought the idea for a while and eventually it just clicked for me. One day, while doing my sorority sisters hair, She said, “Naeemah, I don't know what you are doing here. You need to just go home and be a hair stylist". I had always thought about it but I had never heard anyone say it out loud and that is when it became real!

I headed back to New York City and worked several office jobs while I pursued my career. I didn't have the money for beauty school as yet so in the mean time, I just started getting my hands dirty any way I could. My best friend was an aspiring model and I helped her out doing her hair for some photo-shoots. I really fell in love with the business at this point and attended a seminar for hair stylist entitled “Packaging Your Portfolio' by Crystal Wright.

She armed me with all of the tools that I needed in order to succeed. I must tell you, my very first real photo-shoot was a stroke of luck or maybe destiny and I will tell you why. I saw an ad on Craigslist and it stated that they needed a hair stylist for a photo-shoot “TODAY” and to send some images of my work. I didn't have any professional images, just some Polaroid’s of my best friend sitting in my kitchen with a fancy hairdo.

Guess what? I stepped out and sent them!! I met celebrity makeup artist Lazarus Jean Baptist that day and he has been my mentor and a great friend ever since. He took a chance on me that day and has always believed in my work. I dodged a lot of the politics of the industry because of his great advice. He was a God send in so many ways.

Talk about working your vision. Fascinating!!! Let me ask you, being a Woman of color, how do you handle being in the business? Do you see many who advance and/or are held back because of their race?
It was very hard at first. I'm not sure about anyone else’s experience, but there have been many instances where my race has been an issue for others. I would never allow that to hold me back, it's their issue not mine. I have been told out right, “Don't let the black girl touch my hair” or “'Please try not to make my hair curly like you and your people”.

These experiences have in fact fueled me to perfect my craft and become better. I don't strive to be the best black hair stylist out there but I strive to be the best. I've gone from working in a small hair salon in Bed-Stuy to one of the most high end salons in NYC. I know that with my diverse training, there are no boundaries and no limits to what I can accomplish.

What moment in your career has been life changing for you?
The day I was able to quit my corporate job to work in a hair salon. I cried that day simply because I had worked so hard to make this dream come true. I worked nights while I went to school in the day, and did photo-shoots in between. It was a long road but the payoff was so sweet. I wake up every single day and do what I love. It’s truly a blessing.

Wow! So how do you wind down from a challenging day?
Silence and prayer...ok and maybe a glass of Merlot :-)

Ha! Not a bad choice. Naeemah, you have been blessed with the gift to have your work featured on various publications. How did that come about?
I realized early on that it is a game of odds. The more photo-shoots that you do the more of a chance you will have of working with a photographer that has his work published. Once I figured this out I started to work like a beast. I remember often heading to my graveyard shift job from photo-shoots with bloodshot eyes and rolling my hair styling kit behind me. I was determined not to be stuck in a 'job'! I wanted a satisfying career.

Tell our readers about Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority?
I'm one of the founders of a young public service organization, Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority, Inc. My involvement with this organization has kept me grounded and it's something that I am very proud of.


As a matter of fact, I was in Haiti a few months ago right before the earthquake, delivering school supplies to children. I plan on going back soon to see what I can do. The best satisfaction comes from rolling your sleeves up and being down in the trenches and quite natuarally Alpha Beta Sigma allows me to do that.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Currently, I am a Bridal Specialist and Educator, but I have no idea where the next five years will take me. I'm a Gemini, so I'm very much a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl. I have learned to never plan too hard. God has thrown me some major curve balls in my life, so now I just go hard and let him handle the rest.

For those who have a desire to go into the field you are in. What kind of advice would u give them?
My advice would be, Never have too much of an ego where you are not willing to learn from others. I am always learning and I'm everyone's student, from my colleagues to assistants. I'm like a sponge, so if you're willing to share? I’m willing to learn.

There are many people that we come in contact with on a daily basis who have no substance nor vision. Naeemah Carre is certainly not one of them and she truly knows what she wants. She is the epitome of style and humbleness.

Here at Legends, Icons and Role Models, we salute her for a being a BREAK OUT Role Model!!!

www.NaeemahCarre.com