There’s a certain magic in the way Charlotte Mensah touches hair. This is why the hairstylist has won industry accolades, launched her luxury product line, and styled A-list African and American clients. But beyond the fame, she has redefined what it means to care for Afro hair, proving that the natural African hair textures deserve as much attention, respect, and luxury as any other.
Mensah’s early life
Born in the United Kingdom (UK), Mensah spent her early years in a small Ghanaian village, raised by her grandparents. Life there was simple, and the women valued natural beauty. They gathered under the shade of trees to braid, twist, and tell stories. These moments taught Mensah the essence of Afro-hair care.
At 11, she left the warmth of Ghana for the United Kingdom. Life felt different because most people saw Afro-hair as a problem that needed to be fixed. The thick, curled hair that had once been a source of pride now made her stand out in a way that felt uncomfortable, and she was pressured to conform to foreign beauty standards.
When Charlotte Mensah lost her mother at 13, she was grief-stricken and turned to hairdressing as a form of healing. First, she styled her sister’s hair, then her friends, until it became second nature. By the time she left school, she was determined to master the craft professionally. So, under the mentorship of Winston Isaacs at Splinters, a legendary Black salon making waves in the industry, Mensah honed her hairdressing skills.
The Charlotte Mensah brand
After completing her training, she was prepared to open her salon in Notting Hill. However, banks did not believe in the potential of a high-end Afro hair salon and denied her access to loans. Refusing to accept defeat, Mensah sought and received alternative funding from The Prince’s Trust, a UK-based charity founded in 1976 by King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) to support vulnerable young people in getting their lives on track. She was determined to pursue her vision.
To the sceptics’ surprise, her salon grew. Clients flocked in, drawn not just by her technical expertise but by the experience she provided.
“Charlotte performed magic — braiding, relaxing, twisting. Her hands were deft, and she seemed to work with a limitless vocabulary of products and techniques. Her clients were primarily of African and Caribbean descent. Each woman who sat in her chair carried all the histories of wherever she had come from. Everyone left feeling so beautiful and confident, including me.” Malin Fezeha, a visual reporter, told the New York Times.
Soon, Mensah wasn’t content with styling hair-she wanted to make hair care products too. So, she travelled across Africa in search of ingredients that would nourish and strengthen Afro hair. That was when she discovered Manketti oil, a natural elixir used for centuries by African communities. It was rich, deeply hydrating, and perfect for textured hair. She took this natural product and turned it into a modern luxury brand.
Charlotte Mensah quickly became the first Black woman inducted into the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame. Her work has appeared in various fashion magazines, and she has styled for top designers as well. For decades, she has demonstrated that there is a future for Black hair professionals in high fashion and luxury beauty. Additionally, she returns to Ghana occasionally to conduct training programs for aspiring hairstylists, ensuring that the next generation has equal access to opportunities.
