At Hairitage Hair Lounge, curls aren’t just styled—they’re celebrated. For owner Jessa Colon, every strand tells a story, and she’s on a mission to make sure curly-haired clients leave her salon feeling empowered, educated, and, most importantly, seen.
Born in Puerto Rico and later moving to New Jersey, Colon was surrounded by a variety of hair textures, from sleek and straight to tight coils. However, when she entered the beauty industry 20 years ago, she quickly realized that curly hair wasn’t just underserved—it was misunderstood.
“There were products for thin, fine, straight hair or for thick, tight, coily hair, but nothing in between.” Colon recalls. “I was literally mixing my own leave-in conditioners just to get the right balance for my clients.”
That gap in the industry fueled her passion for textured hair and set her on a path to become a champion for curls. At Hairitage Hair Lounge, she and her team aren’t just cutting and styling hair—they’re educating clients on how to care for and embrace their natural texture.
Redefining the Salon Experience for Curly Hair
Colon remembers her early days as a stylist in Bridgewater, a town where the predominant hair texture was straight, curly hair was often seen as a challenge rather than a feature to be celebrated.
“There was a girl who came into the salon, and I remember all the stylists in the back room groaning because no one wanted to do her hair,” Colon says. “I thought there was some kind of impossible knot waiting for me. But when I saw her, I realized—it was just a curly-haired girl. That was it.”
Colon took her as a client, gave her a proper curly haircut, and showed her how to care for her hair. Word spread quickly, and soon, Colon had built an entire clientele of women with wavy, curly, and coily hair—many of whom had never found a stylist who truly understood their needs.
“Curly hair isn’t difficult—it’s just a different fabric,” Colon says. “It takes a different approach, different techniques, and a different mindset. Once you understand that, it’s not hard at all.”
Jessa’s Top Five Hair Tips for Curls (and Everyone Else!)
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Plan Your Wash Day Wisely
Curly hair doesn’t need to be washed every day, but when you do wash it, make it count. Colon recommends setting aside enough time for a full wash day—clarifying, conditioning, detangling, and styling—so you get the best results and don’t have to refresh as often. -
Detangle in the Shower
Brushing curly hair when it’s dry can lead to breakage and frizz. Instead, Colon suggests using a wide-tooth comb or fingers to gently detangle in the shower with plenty of conditioner and water to help loosen knots. -
Style While Wet
One of the biggest mistakes people make with curly hair is waiting too long to apply styling products. Colon says the best time to style is while hair is soaking wet, using water-soluble products to ensure even distribution and proper hydration. She even recommends using a fog-free mirror in the shower to make the process easier. -
Rethink Oil
For generations, people have turned to oil as the ultimate cure-all for dry hair, but Colon says that’s a misconception. Oil and water don’t mix, and applying oil to wet hair can actually prevent moisture from penetrating the strands. Instead, use oils sparingly on dry hair for shine, not for hydration. -
Sleep Smart
Nighttime habits can make or break a good hair day. Colon advises sleeping on a silk pillowcase and wearing a bonnet to protect curls from friction, frizz, and tangles. “Straight-haired girls should try it too,” she adds. “You wake up with smoother, shinier hair, and your blowout lasts longer.”
More Than Just a Salon
Beyond styling, Hairitage Hair Lounge is on a mission to reshape the way people see and care for curly hair. Colon and her team undergo extensive training, earning certifications in specialized curl techniques, and even teaching classes to help educate other stylists on how to work with textured hair.
“We don’t exclude anyone, but we want people with curls to know this is a place where they are understood and included,” Colon says. “For too long, curly hair was treated as a problem. We’re here to change that.”
Hairitage Hair Lounge isn’t just giving people great hair—it’s giving them the confidence to embrace their natural beauty. And for Jessa Colon, that’s the real reward.
Hairitage Hair Lounge
Address: 131 N Gaston Ave, Somerville
Phone: (908) 506-1111
Website: hairitagehairlounge.com/
“For too long, curly hair was treated as a problem. We’re here to change that.” - Jessa Colon