Have you heard about The Bae yet? Indy’s first multicultural blowout bar will be popping up around the city for the rest of year, before opening its first permanent flagship location.
When blowout bars made their debut a few years back, I loved the idea. However, as a woman with textured hair my experience to receive service was less than pleasant. The Bae owner Danielle Oglesby also saw a need in the Indianapolis area for women of all hair textures to be pampered in the luxury they deserve.
When I learned about The Bae, I was thrilled. As the only Black stylist in a few salons, Danielle noticed that there was not much diversity within the clientele and wanted to change that. She strives to create spaces where all women no matter race, ethnicity, or hair texture can come in and know they will leave with a stunning look. Not only does she want her clients to be properly served, but she also wants to educate her stylists to feel comfortable working with all hair types.
“I’ve had white moms who have adopted black daughters, and black moms who have adopted white daughters come in and say they never thought they’d get to experience a salon day together,” she says. “That’s special and we don’t think about those things.”
Danielle has been a licensed hairstylist for eight years; however, she began doing hair at the age of twelve. Growing up watching her mother, who is also a hairstylist, she began practicing braiding on mannequins, and to her mom’s surprise, she was good at it. She started braiding hair as a side hobby but initially had her eyes set on being an attorney.
After a couple of years, Danielle realized that cosmetology was where her heart was and she took off as a creative editorial stylist. When she began her career, Danielle made it a priority to be an expert for all hair types so that every woman that sits in her chair would feel comfortable. But after spending time at photoshoots, she noticed that oftentimes Black models were left to do their own hair. She knew she wanted that to change, as well—which only served to fuel her passion to create The Bae.
Danielle is hopeful to have her blowout bar storefront open in 2022, but for the rest of 2021, she will be hosting pop-ups throughout the city. To stay up to date on all their events you can subscribe to The Bae-Watch newsletter. You can also book an appointment on their website for one of their six signature blowouts—and they even do weddings!
The Bae Bar will host its next pop-up on September 19th— follow along on social media for more details.
Jalysa King is a contributing writer to Indy Maven and the author of the children’s book When I Grow Up I Can Be Anything.
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