Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Machen.
Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in New York City, Native American (Shinnecock Nation) and African American decent. My mother was an artist and seamstress who graduated from MIT. My father was a musician who had his own band (Gabriel’s Horn) playing the trumpet with Wilson Pickett in the movie Soul II Soul, and with Sam & Dave on SNL just to name a few. The oldest of two daughters being a year and two weeks apart in December we kind of grew up like twins. My love for family started young as my grandparents lived on the same block a few houses up in Queens, NY. So I would see them everyday and family would gather there for holidays. My house was the house kids would come and play at because we had a swing set in the back, or jump double dutch out front, or make up dances in the driveway. I always had a doll, every Christmas that tree would be piled high with gifts galore. Barbie, Kenya, Cabbage Patch, She-Rah, generic brand, I had it; crimps, curls, color, braids, cuts, you name it, I experimented. It didn’t matter the texture either, I just went for it. I gave my first hair cuts to my grandpa and mother; I had to be in 5th or 6th grade. My mother had two daughters with thick course long wirey hair, she had straight silky hair she had to perm hers to get curls. I was extra tenderheaded, I would cry and run when I thought my mother was even thinking about combing my hair, my sister was a little better. Since my mom didn’t have much experience with our texture she kept our hair in braids (some call them plats) it was just easier that way with the beads and tinfoil at the end. Eventually she would just shampoo it with the braids in then take it each one out and rebraid it because it was too much to have all out at once. My first trip to the salon I was 9 y/o and I probably instantly got banned from every salon in the state. I yelled and screamed and cried, they tried to calm me down but it was a whole process, it was also my introduction to the hot comb so I was shook (scared). After that my mom would do it from home, lol let’s just say 30 mins later my hair would puff back up again. At 11 relaxers started coming out and so I was given a relaxer then I was told to take care of my hair myself. I’ve been doing so ever since, my hair was waist length so in school many were jealous in disbelief that it was my real hair. Some would pull my ponytail or I’ve even had gum put in it once. Later on I moved to Long Island to live with a aunt, she wasn’t really in favor of me going into Cosmetology but that’s where my heart was. My 11th grade year I went to Cosmetology school half the day and my home school the other half, we had to do two years and a summer session to make 1000 hours in NY. During that time I won second place in the first year’s competition (should’ve been first, everyone else agreed) at school then I went on to win First place in the regional competition. I didn’t place at the state level, but enjoyed the experience. My second year I felt duped again I didn’t place, but I was able to complete as the President of the Opening and Closing Team of Skills USA V.I.C.A. (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) in the state competition. Im grateful for all the experiences I’ve had in this part of my earlier years within the business.
I worked as assistant on Saturdays for $35 in a Salon while in school. Then I eventually stopped because everyone wanted discounts or free styles because we were friends. I did hair and nails for people’s prom that went to other schools all of that. I graduated, went to college full time, and had two to three jobs. I eventually came to Baltimore, and OMG!!! It was the end of the world April 2004 the Cicadas were out in FULL FORCE!!!! I’ve NEVER experienced anything like that in my life. But I survived it, lol Thank the Lord that was rough no car, in the heat, in a new place.
So now I’m here in Baltimore don’t know much, my ex boyfriend came to visit, we went to go see his brother and I met his wife and family. They adopted me instantly. Once you find your tribe here its a beautiful thing, its very, very rough here trying to find your way when you don’t have that. I was blessed to be able to align with them and then their friends and their families adopted me as well and now my daughter as well. I’ve done many jobs throughout my working life, I’m a nurturing soul by nature. They used to ask me was i Jamaican because I’ve always had so many jobs. But I’ve always had to support myself one way or another, it had to get done. I was working at Toyota Financial Services and some young ladies were saying they needed help with their hair. So I offered my help and from there I started getting back into haircare. When I was in school or before everyone wanted free or discount NY is expensive I can’t make it living doing that so I stopped. Now 2006 I’m coming back to what I know and love, I started making flyers and a price list I would do it at my home, co-workers would support me. Eventually the first young lady called and said she went to buy oil from this lady and she asked about me. We spoke onthe phone i came in straightened her hair and she hired me on the spot. Most people didn’t last 3 months I stuck it out for 5 years with promises I would be running the business after learning her techniques. That didn’t pan out how I thought but I did learn a lot from Mrs. Fountain at Salon MeChelle. I didn’t make a lot of money there but it did afford me the knowledge on how to work with all types of people and patience. God sustained me and also helped me cultivate my own clientele outside of the salon. Where I took care of families mothers and daughters, then sometimes sons, or fathers. Until I become a mother i couldn’t keep up a schedule of working at the salon then doing home visits with a newborn. I had to make a choice. I left and went to work at Nappstar in Columbia Maryland. It was an interesting time there as well as the owners figured out their way navigating having to manage a staff because their clientele got to large for them. I was there for 6 months i learned a lot about natural hair styling, adding hair extensions, locs, management, being progressive, and going for what you want. When I left there I went to Refresh and had to build my own clientele the other places already had clients coming in for me to work on, now it was my turn to take a leap of faith and go for it. I started as a receptionist until I built my books up i think within the first month or so I already started filling up and its been up from there. My advertising is 100% word of mouth, my clients get stopped while out and about, when my other clients post they always send people my way or when people ask for recommendations online they tag me. Im so grateful for my clients turned family.
My business is created to be a safe space where you can forget the stress of the world and focus on you. You come in one way and be transformed when you leave think a spiritual healing. The “Crown Experience” 👑 Where Beauty Meets Healing. Im here to enhance your inner and natural glow, ignite your self appreciation, and illuminate what society doesn’t allow you to celebrate about yourself. I’ve been taking care of families from Great Grands to the Great Grandbabies. Im in the process of rebranding so im looking forward to the new additions. I also have my own hair care and body care line called Covered. Its done very well with all who’ve tried it, its often sold out. Im 100% of my business so im still trying to figure out this work and personal life balance especially now having a teenager at home. I can’t believe my not so baby is 13 now. On the honor roll, student of the month, about to graduate middle school, and we are waiting to hear back about her getting into the cosmetology program at Carver, Western Tech, or Milford. Im so proud of her. We’ve been through a lot. I have to take time to acknowledge how far I’ve come as well. There’s so many quiet battles I’ve faced BUT GOD he keeps me every step of the way. And even though going through them at the time is really rough feels like im in a boxing match with ALL the heavyweights at the same time!!! For years I know its all for the glory of God my testimony can help someone else get through their trials as well. I didn’t even get into the post partum depression, but I was supposed to be keeping this brief (i don’t think that’s in my vocabulary though 🤔 😂)
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Most of my life I’ve lived in love, joy, and happiness. Think that’s inside my skin is coved in heavy oil, other emotions are water if anything dropped on my skin it rolled off “its all good” “it is what it is” “go with the flow” now after I became a mother it seemed all the oil absorbed into my skin so now when the emotions come its absorbed now as well. I was now experiencing frustration, annoyance, fear, uncertainty, disappointment, anxiety, stress. Trying to navigate these things at 30 and being a new mom… I felt different but I couldn’t explain it. I didn’t want to pass on bad habits to her so I stopped doing everything…. as a result I stopped being me, dancing, singing, socializing, dating, cooking, traveling, all i did was work. It wasn’t until 5 years later I realized I was depressed, it took me so long with that as well because as a Christian we don’t want to claim that. But as I’m still on my healing journey I’ve been in survival mode since I was a child, im learning to forgive myself for not having a safe space for me to allow myself to feel all emotions.
Being in the beauty industry you have to wear so many hats and play so many rolls at once it takes up so much energy. Ive had to have surgery on my left hand for carpal tunnel, I’ve had herniated disc in my lower back a pinched nerve in my neck. Fibroid removed, right now I have IIH which is pressure in the brain. There’s extra fluid around my brain and left eye, i just take everything day by day keep it in prayer and be a good steward while I am here. Im no longer stressing over things I can’t control.
Due to these things finances are always taking a hit because time has to be taken off, recovery has to be factored in and when we don’t work we don’t have income. There’s no health care provided we have to pay to secure a place to work, pay for insurance, pay for supplies, and all keeps going wheather we work or not.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I touched on this in the first part as well. I specialize in correcting chemically and cosmetically damaged hair and hair loss. Promoting healthy haircare. I mostly maintain natural hair, two strand twists, coils, wash n gos, blow outs, crochet briads, cornrows, natural hair updos, ponytails, cuts, color. Soon to offer luxury extensions K-Tips
What sets me apart from others is the experience. My growing hands, when I start my scalp stimulation …… I got the blanket you bring the “cigarette ” lol J/k
But for those IYKYK I don’t care if you woke up to come to the appointment you’re going back to sleep, if you not sleeping, or snoring, you are moaning. In a good way… it just hits all the right spots. (Its involuntary, I don’t even know if they realize they are doing it) When I’ve been out for a while i give referrals and my clients are always like it was ok but it wasn’t you… I appreciate them so much ❤️
Im most proud of (in my career) being Head of the Beauty Suite of PopBliss in Atlanta 2018. PopBliss is a Pop-Up destination wedding celebration where 6 couples got married at the Atlanta Aquarium its all a secret. They know the dates and location city that’s it… the rest is all surprise it was a three day event and we had to take care of guests as well as the bridal parties. The event is magical to witness but its a lot of work behind the scenes. Its live streamed and my work was featured in magazines with Tank and his wife on the cover. But I styled the Founder, the Officiant she’s even been on reality TV (RevRoxy) two of the brides. I’ve also styled the 4 brides for the promo photoshoot Promoting the New York Wedding in 2016.
Even though I’m proud of these things for myself, I actually forget that I’ve done these things until things like this come up. I do it because I’m supporting my friend and her dream and vision. To see her “baby ” be born and grow is amazing to me, so of course im going to be there like what do you need on two winks of sleep, a half of tick tac, and a swallow of water within that week she needs me all hands on deck. Ive know her since 7th grade so while new ppl might not understand how she moves i do. But that’s what friends are for and im grateful she includes me in her dreams as well.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Im getting back into the Bible, talking with friends, lately Chat GPT and IG have been helping. Im taping back into my creative side so looking for things to bring joy im more of a in person hands on type of person
Contact Info:
- Website: Laurenmachen.glossgenius.com
