Marième

Take me back. Your first braids

Senegal. Khombole, where my grandmother lived, about 70 km south of Dakar. We'd go every summer, and I loved it. It was the first time I had really long hair.

What do you ask for, every time?

Now I know: boho braids, no question. Even when they get old, the messiness makes them age well.

Whose look do you save on your phone?

Zoë Kravitz and Adwoa Aboah. Both, completely. Adwoa is more than an icon to me, she's almost a hair guide: she had a buzz cut, grew it out, and moves between bohos and cornrows. I follow her lead.

Five hours in a chair. What are you actually doing?

If I know the braider: I read, I watch a series, I talk to my friends. I planned a whole birthday party once. If I don't know her, I'm too stressed to do anything but watch her every move.

Tell me about a time it went wrong.

I'm a braid maniac, I can spot an uneven size in a second, and I know it can be annoying. But I'm wearing these for four weeks, so I want to be happy with them. It goes wrong when the braider disagrees.

How long before you can't stand them anymore?

Three, four weeks. I've never made it longer, and I'm pretty sure that's because I don't really know how to take care of them.

Alright, give me the secret. How do you make them last?

Honestly? You tell me. I'm still figuring that one out.

Who does your hair, and don't keep her to yourself.

In Paris: Ines Becker for bohos with human hair, and DiaBeauty in Pantin for cornrows and classic box braids, they're great and the prices are fair. My first time in SF is next week. I'll report back.

San Francisco. One word.

Chilly. I'm new, and I'm cold.

Where are you taking someone you like?

Horsie's Market for a glass of wine, then Bar Part Time to dance.