The LOFT Hair Studio is the only hair salon in Medford to offer services for clients with curly hair. Founded in 2014, its purpose is “to provide every client with the very best in curly hair services, every time,” according to its website. 

Owner and curl specialist Sharita Payton, has been a cosmetologist for 23 years. She started her personal and professional natural hair journey when she moved to Massachusetts and gave birth to her oldest daughter. 

“I always wanted a sleek look, so I wore weaves and extensions because I wasn’t comfortable wearing my own hair,” Payton said. “The shift came when I had my daughter because I knew she would grow up and do what mommy did. She’d want to do the same things as me.” 

She decided to take the initiative to learn about the knowledge and science behind her natural hair. When she had gathered her information, Payton decided to share it with other curly-haired people in her community. The knowledge she gained proved to be invaluable.

 “I started doing the research for her, and in turn, it helped me love my hair as well,” Payton said.  

She taught her first seminar where about 100 people showed up. Once it was done, she was surrounded by people wanting her to do their hair. She began working out of her home, and in 2014 she opened her first salon in Medford. 

From the beginning, The LOFT has had a steady stream of loyal customers. The attendees of Payton’s first seminar became her first customers and spread her reputation through word-of-mouth. She didn’t need to advertise because she already had so many people coming to her to learn how to take care of their hair.

Her team of employees share the same passion for hair education. Almost every curl specialist at The LOFT had reached out to Sharita through social media and expressed their interest in learning from and working for her. As long as their social media accounts show love for natural hair and they’re willing to learn, Payton said she is open to training and hiring cosmetologists who want to work with curly hair.

“I love my team. Being able to see them grow from when they first walked into the salon to where they are now makes me really happy,” she said.

Curl specialist and lead colorist Korlu Bulaya has been working at The LOFT since 2018. She credits Payton for mentoring her and the internet for allowing her to research her skills.

“When I made the decision to work only with that hair texture, I was shocked at everything that could be done to it. I was surprised at what Sharita could do to hair like mine. I never knew I could get my curls to look a certain way,” Bulaya said. “I love my job. Sharita and the other ladies I work with make it an amazing place to be.”

Bulaya describes herself as always willing to learn about hair. Accountability and setting goals for herself help make sure she’s always improving her craft. A major part of her journey was learning how to color textured hair, she said. 

“Curly hair is very unique. I want women to believe that you can be curly and still have fun color,” Bulaya said. “Back then, people that had colors only had straight hair. Curly haired people never had that. I want my clients to know you can still have safe, healthy hair while having it dyed bright colors.” 

Twist-outs, coloring and rod sets are just some of the treatments offered at the salon, but the most popular service is their curly haircuts. After washing, conditioning and applying products to the hair, the client will have every curl carefully cut until their desired shape is achieved. 

The team at The LOFT creates a customized hair regimen for every client they meet. They provide in-depth consultations and carefully explain everything they will do to their client’s hair.  

Mekea Harvey has been a client at The LOFT since 2018. She had previously been trying to learn about curly hair from information posted online, but became frustrated at the excessive amount of content available. She did not know where to start or how to apply those techniques to her hair specifically, so she made the decision to visit Payton’s salon. 

“Before going to a natural hair salon, I was upset that my hair wouldn’t look the same as what I was seeing online. I didn’t know how to care for it, especially since the standard when I was growing up was to get relaxers,” Harvey said.

She had grown up around other Black women who never wore their natural hair texture and instead decided to regularly get it chemically straightened. When she made the transition from relaxers to curls, she was met with comments from other women talking about how they would never wear their natural hair out.

“Oftentimes as Black women, we have a lot of anxieties related to our hair,” Harvey said. “ Sharita provides a space where we can release all of that. Going there honestly feels like a safe space. It’s such a warm and comforting place and she’s very sweet. I’ve retained so much knowledge from my time as a client.”

Payton has taught many classes about hair in the Boston community. She has been invited to the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA as a speaker at events dedicated to natural hair education.  

“The best part of my job is helping our clients when they struggle for so long or when they’ve never seen their hair in the way they see it when they’re in our chair,” Payton said. “Sometimes, they cry or they ask to hug me. It really means so much to me.” 

Payton has taught not only herself, but countless people how to care for their hair. Her salon has been a place for people of all hair textures to learn and grow. But even if a patron is not sitting on her chair, she still has advice for those wanting to begin their natural hair journey.

“Consistency is key. Like exercising, day one is day one,” Payton said. “You’re not going to get the results you want immediately because it takes time. You have to be willing to learn, grow and put the effort in, which isn’t for everyone and that’s ok. People will say it’s just hair, but it’s so much more than that.”