During this pandemic, there has been an influx of young entrepreneurs on the rise, making moves. Hairstylist, lash techs, skincare products, and more are popping up everywhere, and I am definitely here for it! I was so excited to feature this story of Ry’Miyah Pringle-Hamilton, a 14-year-old, straight-A student from Oakland, California who used her downtime wisely to start her own hair braiding business. She launched her endeavor at her mother’s salon called the Pretty B Lounge. It is so important to empower our youth and recognize their accomplishments, and I am honored to do so in this way. I was able to get an exclusive with Ry’Miyah on business, her future plans and more.

Photos courtesy of Ry’Miyah

HYPE HAIR: How did you get your start in the hair industry?

RY’MIYAH: I got my start in the hair industry by watching other people braid on YouTube about a year and a half ago. They were interesting to me, and it seemed like it was fun. So, I started to practice on myself (traditional singles), and I enjoyed it. So, I started to do other styles, such as two feed-in braids, knotless singles, straight back cornrows, etc. Then people started to come and ask if I could do their hair, and I started to get better from there. 

HH: Did you have a mentor along the way? If so, what’s the best advice you have received? 

RY’MIYAH:  I didn’t really have a “mentor,” but I knew people that also braided hair, and they always told me to take my time and make everything as neat as possible and that parting is the main key to getting a beat style. 

HH: Tell our readers about the Pretty B Beauty Lounge. What services do you guys offer? 

RY’MIYAH: The Pretty B Lounge is a Black-owned business that was founded by my mother. There are four women, and sometimes myself, working to offer different services mostly for other women to get their hair done, such as lace frontals, traditional weaves, silk presses trims and braided hairstyles. There’s a nail tech who does full set acrylic nails, micro-blading, individual eyelash extensions and more things that come with a “beauty bar.”

HH: What are the four best protective hairstyles that women should be wearing? 

RY’MIYAH: The four best protective hairstyles that women should be wearing, in my opinion, are any type of singles (knotless or traditional), straight back cornrows, two feed-ins or lemonade braids.

The everyday toothpaste we use to brush our teeth can be used to do other things which are quite amazing. Here are some life hacks you can do with your toothpaste at home.

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We all have experienced a time when a glob of our toothpaste falls in the sink, don't just wash it away, get your sponge and wash the sink using the toothpaste and see how your sink becomes very clean.

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You don't need to spend money to get your silver jewellery clean, with just a little toothpaste on a tooth brush, you can scrub and make your silver jewellery sparkle.

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It might sound weird but if you happen to be changing a kids diaper or disposing the trash and the smell is disturbing, apply two buffs of toothpaste at the opening of your nostrils one each and it will help block out any smell or odour.

If you happen to have a gum stuck on your hair, you don't need to worry, just apply a little toothpaste to the gum and wait a few minutes, the toothpaste will help breakdown the stickiness in the gum and make it easier to remove.