A few years back, above the Champs Elysées, Nicole Pembrook opened Polished Hair Care. For years, she had run a salon out of her home. But in her new and elegant premises, without even a sign, her clientele rapidly tripled. Having submitted my own blond locks to a coupe/couleur at Polished, I know the reasons those clients keep on coming.

One is Nicole’s upscale service, mostly but not exclusively focused on une clientèle mixte: Africans, African Americans and black parisiennes. Born in California and married to a Cameroonian, she is multilingual—and famous for her skills. Starting with a pan-European Golden Scissors Award, Nicole’s expertise has garnered plenty of plaudits—and brought to Polished celebrity clients like Justin Timberlake. Her own theory is that it’s a family affair—”I’m a hairdresser’s daughter who grew up learning in salons.”
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