Today we’d like to introduce you to Dymand Azanii.
Hi Dymand, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up as an only child to a single mother who migrated from St. Lucia around the same age I am now 21, I’ve always been inspired by her independence and determination. She came here to build a life for herself and has accomplished so much. Every Sunday, we had our routine where she would sit me down and do my hair for school. I was extremely picky and always gave her a hard time about exactly how I wanted it styled. She would always tell me, “If you want things your way, sometimes you have to do it yourself.”
So that’s exactly what I started doing.
I would sit up at night trying to recreate hairstyles on myself. At first, they honestly didn’t look any better than when my mom did them 🤣, but I loved the fact that I had done them myself. As I got older, I attended predominantly white private schools, where there wasn’t much representation when it came to Black girls, our hair, or the versatility of our styles. Because of that, my hairstyles stood out. I practiced constantly, and one thing about me—my hair stayed done.
Eventually, girls at school started asking me to do their hair too. In middle school, I would have a little lineup after school of girls wanting French braids so I could practice. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was really the beginning of everything.
Toward the end of high school, I transferred to my local public school, and being in a different environment introduced me to an entirely new side of hair and beauty. I started teaching myself wig installs, weaves, faux locs, and other styles. I would post my progress online just for fun, until girls started asking if they could actually book appointments with me. Before I knew it, I was in business.
As I began researching more about the foundation of running a business, I realized that I loved the growth just as much as I loved doing hair. I grew in my skill, communication, outreach, confidence, and ability to build relationships within my community.
Today, I’m a senior at Coppin State University, and although there are many different parts of who I am, hairstyling has played one of the biggest roles in shaping me. Through hair, I found myself, developed my creativity, built a business, and created a community. Every client I’ve met, every mistake I’ve learned from, every challenge I’ve worked through, and every milestone I’ve celebrated has become a part of my story.
What started as a little girl being picky about her Sunday hairstyles turned into something that has grown alongside me. Hair has never just been about making someone look good to me—it has been a way for me to express myself, connect with people, and create something that is truly mine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth ride, and I’d honestly be concerned if it was. Nothing great comes without experiencing some pain along the way. It has definitely been a journey creating a satisfactory experience for my clients, and that started with showing up for myself as well. I had to raise my own standards and expectations in life, which later translated into the expectations I have for how I show up for my clients and my business.
Financial success also isn’t linear. There have been times where I’ve invested and taken many losses. I’ve had long nights working until 2 a.m., balancing school and clients, and missing time with family to pour my all into the game.
I’ve also had to accept that I will not please or satisfy everyone, no matter how much effort I put in. One of the harder lessons has been understanding that I’m not entitled to support from my loved ones either. Through all of it, I’ve learned that growth requires sacrifice, accountability, and being willing to keep going even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in weave installations and glueless wig creation for women from all walks of life who are seeking something in particular—a luxe reset. I’m especially known for my cut and curl services, creating voluminous, layered styles that feel polished, feminine, and personalized to each client.
What sets me apart is my attention to detail, not only when it comes to your hair, but also your lifestyle and your inner world. I pay attention to how you want to feel, how you move through your everyday life, and what will actually work for you beyond the appointment. For me, hair is more than just the finished style. I want every client to leave feeling refreshed, confident, and like the best version of herself.
I’m most proud of the experience I’ve been able to create around my work. My goal has always been to make luxury feel personal—not distant or intimidating—and to create a space where women can come in, reset, and leave feeling cared for from the inside out.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by what makes my cup feel full endlessly—when I can step back and say, “This is for me, and this is mine.” It’s not solely defined by money or full books; it’s about what my soul feels aligned with in the moment, and that will change constantly throughout life. I believe that if success is defined by one thing, it will always be tirelessly sought after. The goalpost will continue to move.
Pricing:
- Luxe extension packages with installation starting at $600
- Custom glueless wig units starting at $500
- Weave installations starting at $220
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopazanii.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dymandazanii/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DVaZK3oBZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://salonazanii.as.me/
