LEXINGTON, Ky. – With nearly two decades of experience in cosmetology, Melanie Day is on a mission to extend quality hair care products and services to college athletes and students with textured and curly hair. Over the last seven years, Day has passionately curated the In Living Curls hair care community, addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with diverse hair textures.
The genesis of this initiative coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Uncertain about the future landscape of in-person salon services, Day seized the opportunity to engage with students directly. Recognizing the struggles faced by those with textured hair, particularly in rural areas, Day initiated conversations to understand their specific needs.
Day introduced an educational program designed to empower students in maintaining healthy hair, even without direct salon access. Emphasizing affordability, she ensures that In Living Curls products are priced at $15 or less, aiming to alleviate financial burdens and allow students to focus on their studies.
Arianna Patterson, a fifth-year gymnastics student-athlete at the University of Kentucky, attests to the impact of Day’s efforts. Originally from Texas, Patterson sought a professional who could cater to her natural hair needs upon choosing Kentucky as her school.
“I tried to find who was the best person in Lexington who knows how to work with natural hair, and honestly, the only person that I saw was Melanie. And so I scheduled appointments,” Patterson said. “She helped a lot with the health of my hair, so I tell people about Melanie.”
Highlighting the importance of hair care within the Black community, Day refers to a study by the National Library of Medicine, indicating that 94.9% of Black individuals have curly hair. Drawing attention to the impact of hairstyles on physical activity, she notes that some individuals avoid working out due to concerns about disrupting their hairstyles.
Recognizing the accessibility challenges faced by students, Day collaborated with colleges to provide convenient solutions. Beauty Product Machines, containing essential products for textured and curly hair, have been introduced on campuses, including Berea College and Transylvania. Centre College is set to receive one in the upcoming fall semester, with efforts underway to introduce the initiative at the University of Kentucky.
In addition to these practical measures, Day actively engages with students through events such as the Natural Hair Care Expo, organized in collaboration with groups like Collegiate Curls of UK and the Student Activities Board. With over 300 students in attendance, the expo underscores the pressing need for such initiatives.
Arianna Patterson reflects on the significance of these efforts, expressing gratitude for the accessibility of natural hair products on campus. “Everything had to be ordered, you had to pay shipping for all the stuff. And as a college athlete, you don’t have that much money to spend. I think it’s a really nice thing to have, and if anyone sees it around, they should use it to their advantage.”
In the competitive world of gymnastics, where aesthetics play a pivotal role, Patterson emphasizes the importance of confidence and self-care. She acknowledges that not everyone in the audience may understand the nuances of Black hair textures and styles, but confidence, she believes, transcends cultural differences.
“Before college doing my hair was like, ‘Oh here we go again.’ Then college I was like ‘This is my time for self-care!’ That kind of mind shifted a little bit,” said Patterson. “Giving myself the power to take care of my own hair and take care of the health of it.” Melanie Day’s In Living Curls initiative continues to bridge the gap, ensuring that students can confidently embrace their natural hair while pursuing their academic and athletic endeavors.
