KEY TAKEAWAYS:  Black beauty pros like Helen Owens are changing more than just the beauty industry – they're changing what the standard of beauty itself looks and feels alike. Helen has continually made a difference in the lives of people everywhere – not just with her made-to-spec cranial prosthetics, but also with her platform that reaches those searching for encouragement, empowerment, and ways to overcome their own challenges. 

Black History Month is an excellent time to reflect on the past, appreciate the present, and look toward a brighter future. It’s a time to acknowledge and celebrate, and we’re here to do just that.

We'll be using our platform to highlight the inspiring voices of Black beauty pros every week throughout February. Oh, and it gets better–they just so happen to be Elite Beauty Society members!

These EBS community members know what it takes to thrive in their beauty careers, and they’re now sharing their passion, insights, and experiences with all of us.

In this interview, we’re highlighting the bold, beautiful, and brilliant voice of Black beauty pro: Helen Owens.

These exclusive interviews give you a unique look at what it takes to be a successful Black beauty professional today and the amazing impact these pros have on the beauty industry and the world at large. From larger-than-life personalities to the stories that led them to this point in their careers, this series of Q and A style interviews is sure to excite and inspire.

Meet Helen Owens: Hair Specialist, Award-Winning Author, Educator, & Advocate

Life is full of challenges, and Helen Owens is an example of what an incredible difference you can make when you face them head-on. When she started losing her hair to alopecia areata as a pre-teen, her response was to dedicate her life’s work to giving those with similar challenges brighter futures.

From learning to make wigs at just 11 years old to creating a beauty business that provides people with specialized hair loss solutions and a new-found confidence, Helen’s work has touched untold lives.

She has not only made a tangible difference with her made-to-spec cranial prosthetics, but also used her platform to reach a multitude of folks searching for encouragement, empowerment, and a way to overcome the challenges in their own lives. 

She has authored the book Finding Our She-Compass, is the winner of seven book awards, spreads knowledge and positivity through podcasts, and guested in numerous publications. 

You can find Helen on Instagram or visit her website to learn more about her and the work she is doing. We couldn’t be happier to highlight Helen and the amazing impact she continues to have on the beauty industry and the lives of everyone she is helping.

Our Exclusive Q&A with Helen Owens

Why Did You Want to Become Part of the Beauty Industry?

I have alopecia areata, so my hair falls out in patches. That's what sparked me to start creating wigs when I was 11 years old.

I remember sitting on my porch one day and crying because my hair had fallen out, and I didn’t know what was going on. There was a lady in my neighborhood who was like a mother to all of us kids. She told me that when I got home from school, I should come over to her house.

She had a book that had all these beautiful women in it, and she said there’s one thing that they all have in common–they’re wearing wigs. She told me that if I came over every day after school, she was going to teach me how to make wigs.

So, she started teaching me how to make wigs and, as someone who had an incredibly strong artistic influence from my father, I really picked up on making them. I didn’t look at it as if I was a young lady with hair loss anymore, I looked at it like a mission to help people and other kids like me.

How Did You Get Started in the Beauty Industry?

I went to school for cosmetology, and put myself through school by cleaning houses. I wanted to start making wigs when I was in school for cosmetology where you’re learning everything. It was great because my mind was just so focused on finding a part of the industry that helps people who suffer from hair loss.

I knew there had to be other people out there like me, so I started doing my research. I was always an outside-the-box thinker, and used all the research I had gathered to help me start my business when I was 18 years old.

I first started working out of my garage where I was creating and experimenting with wigs and how to make them work for people who didn’t have hair. People started hearing about who I was, and they came from near and far to get hair pieces made.

I’ve since experimented with just about everything because I started to see in-person almost every form of hair loss there is and how people required different modifications made to their pieces to meet their specific, unique needs. People with lupus, people going through cancer, people with trichotillomania–I started to see and hear that there were a wide-reaching range of problems out but it's different when you get to study it in-person like I did at that time. That only fueled my passion more and showed me just a sample of how many people I could potentially help by doing what I do. That's how I got started in this business.

What Do You Love Most About the Beauty Industry?

I love the changes that we can make. I love the challenges.

Sometimes, people say to me, “You’re the best,” and I’ll say, “Well, I hope I’m not because there’s so much more I want to do. There’s so much more that I have to learn.”

I want to be a part of things that can always make things better. Wigs can always look more natural. Wigs can always feel more comfortable.

For example, lupus can make the skin surface very sensitive. With all the wonderful materials that have come out over the years, you can start working with different things that make people feel comfortable.

That type of impact makes me feel so proud and happy because I can continue to help people.

How Do You Feel About the Current Representation of Black Beauty Pros in Today’s World?

I think that, as a Black woman, I walk with a certain amount of pride. You have to show your strength–it’s almost like a badge of honor. You’re secure in who you are, and if you’re secure with who you are, you’re going to be successful.

I have worked with every nationality of person in the world. I have been accepted, but we have to accept ourselves first. We have to feel pride about who we are and try to make that difference for the next people coming in the door. 

I think that if you want to feel encouraged and like you can do anything, don’t ever look at color with judgement. I wasn’t born with the hair I'm wearing now [a wavy, smooth, ombre hair piece] –this is a piece of art that I've made. It’s what I’ve created for myself. I'm not a Black woman wearing 'white' hair - I'm a Black woman wearing a piece of art that I can change if and when I want to, not because I'm looked at a certain way when I wear it. If I want to wear it more Afrocentric, I have an afro and will wear it confidently because it's a choice that I feel comfortable in. You can feel comfortable in more than one specific look or style, and pieces of hair artistry can help you so, so much with that.

We have Black women wearing braids; we have White women wearing braids. So much of it is truly from art and admiration today - art is all around us. From an artist’s standpoint, don’t look at color with connotations, and your mind will open up.

What Advice Would You Give to a Black Beauty Pro Who is Just Starting Out in the Industry or Wants to Take It to the Next Level? 

I would say it takes patience, it’s going to take time, and if you’re looking for easy, this isn’t going to be easy. I would say learn to love yourself first, and then you can wrap your arms around whatever it is you’re going after.

Your dreams are valid, and they are possible, but they’re going to be a little bit difficult. You have to have tough skin, and you need to get in there and fight for it. If you can dream it, you can live it.

I wouldn’t listen to the outside noise, because we don’t all have the same dream. Make sure that you are your biggest cheerleader and advocate.

Anything good that is given is not always given overnight and it’s not always given fast, but it is worth working for. That hard work pays off. As long as you can see yourself clearly where you know you want to be, keep fighting for it.

If you loved this interview, you’ll want to tune in for our upcoming features. Remember, the best way to stay in the know is to subscribe to Elite Beauty Society!