As a young girl, Cody Ainey discovered her gifted hands and passion for hairstyling when she was asked to dry her mother’s extensions. With no prior experience, she did the job so well that her mother’s stylist recognized her potential and hired her as an eleven-year-old shampooist in the salon. Her success in the beauty field began in her Baton Rouge hometown where she attended Parliamentary Cosmetology, a prestigious beauty school in Louisiana.
As a newly certified graduate, Ainey gained a significant breakthrough in her career when she landed a job at the Premiere Beauty Salon. In the early 2000s, she built her reputation as a skilled hairstylist, attracting the attention of locally renowned stylists. Unfortunately, the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina led her to adapt her work environment and continue her passion in a less traditional way.
Even in the face of adversity, she continued to provide hair care services in her kitchen as a pop-up salon. With all the changes she encountered, she has always maintained that the real service she provides is beyond beauty – it’s about energy work and a deep connection with her clients.
According to Ainey, hairstyling goes beyond merely styling. Stylists often unwittingly play an essential part in their clients’ healing by merely holding and washing their scalps. The connectedness she fosters with her clients, coupled with her exceptional skills, has allowed her to thrive in the industry, even when facing external challenges.
Throughout her career, Ainey has weathered several storms, including the impact of COVID 19. Despite the almost decimated job market post-Katrina, Ainey took on a range of jobs, including working on a film set. However, when the virus spread through her team, it reinstated the connection she felt with hairstyling and led her back to her first love.
Despite her significant achievements in hairstyling, Ainey noted that her career’s real value is the spiritual aspect of the job. Beyond creating unique styles, she emphasizes healing and the profoundly transformative effects of her work. This outlook characterizes her approach to hairstyling as a healing practice that transcends mere aesthetics.
A seasoned professional in her field, Ainey has her favorite products and regimen for hair care. After recently channeling a new look by cutting off her locs, she commented that maintaining scalp health shouldn’t be restricted to those with long hair. Instead, she suggests using oils she loves, like carrot, avocado, and black castor oil, ensuring it stays hydrated even on hot days.
Ever the maverick, Ainey is quick to assert that all hair care products can be beneficial for everyone, regardless of their hair type. She believes that understanding your hair texture and its unique requirements is the secret to effective hair care. She also dismisses the notion that hair care brands are inherently exclusive to Black or White hair.
Above all, Ainey is determined to debunk the myth that some hair textures are too difficult to manage. She firmly believes that it’s the hairstylist’s understanding and skills that dictate the success of their work, not the hair itself.
Ainey’s journey in hairstyling has been rich and rewarding, full of profound interactions with clients kindling friendships along the way. But, more than that, the sharing of deep connections with the women she serves in her salon reaffirms her belief that hairstyling is about more than just hair. It’s about holding space for other women, providing a nurturing environment, and offering an element of healing that is deeply tied with her practice.
This holistic approach to hairdressing resonates with her clients. The authenticity of her approach, Ainey says, is what separates her from others in the field. The essence of her practice is rooted in empowering women and making them feel heard and respected. For her, this is the most rewarding part of the job. It’s a philosophy that sees each client as an individual and emphasizes their right to express their unique style and personality. In Ainey’s chair, her clients always feel seen, heard, and truly taken care of.
