MEET THE TRICHOLOGIST
Shanelle: Bridging the Gap Between Hair Care and Health.
I built The Hair Bawse because too many Black women have been told they’re “fine” when their hair keeps saying they’re not.
I’m Shanelle, a Licensed Cosmetologist and Certified Trichologist based in Des Moines, Iowa. I’ve spent the last eleven years in the chair, watching the same story play out again and again: women who’ve tried everything, spent thousands on products, and still can’t figure out why their hair is shedding, thinning, or refusing to grow.
What I’ve learned is that most of those answers don’t live on the shelf. They live in bloodwork no one has ordered, hormonal shifts no one has explained, and routines built for someone else’s hair.
My work is about closing that gap between what the salon can do and what your body has been trying to tell you.
Founded on Empathy & Expertise
A Decade of Dedicated Care
Growth has always been a big part of my journey. Over the years, I’ve become more intentional about understanding how the scalp, hair, daily routines, products, and personal concerns all connect. My goal is to create a space where clients feel heard, supported, and guided with care that feels realistic for their lifestyle.
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The Cosmetology Roots
My foundation began in cosmetology, where I learned the importance of healthy styling, gentle care, moisture support, and protecting the integrity of each client’s hair. I still carry those roots into every service, making sure the hair is cared for with patience, intention, and respect.
Expertise Meets Heart: Professional insight with a human touch.
Certified Trichologist
My trichology certification helps me look more closely at the scalp and hair concerns my clients bring to me. It allows me to provide more thoughtful observations, helpful education, personalized recommendations, and guidance on when a professional referral may be needed.
Holistic Philosophy
I believe healthy hair care starts with understanding the full person, not just the style. I consider your routine, products, stress, lifestyle, maintenance habits, and other factors that may affect your scalp and hair so we can create a care plan that feels realistic and supportive.
“My mission is to create a space where expertise meets empathy.”
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Certified Trichologist
Professional education supporting detailed scalp observation, client guidance, and personalized care recommendations.
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Judgment-Free Environment
Every client journey is personal, and the studio is designed to feel calm, respectful, private, and supportive.
The Bawse Standard
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The Internal-Health Perspective: hair examined through the lens of bloodwork, hormones, and the systems your stylist doesn’t have access to
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The Root-Cause Approach: before we change a routine, we look at what your hair is actually responding to
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The Structured System: no random product-throwing. Every recommendation comes from a framework built on trichology
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The Judgment-Free Standard: you don’t need to explain why your hair got here. You just need someone to help you move forward
“Hair wellness is personal. My goal is to help you better understand your hair and scalp, then create a routine that feels realistic for your life.”
Beyond the Studio
When I’m not in the chair, I’m still doing this work.
I’ve published two guides for women who can’t sit in my chair but still deserve real answers. I write, I teach, I speak, and I show up in the places where women who’ve been overlooked are looking for someone who actually understands what they’re walking through.
Because this work isn’t theoretical for me. Even as a Certified Trichologist, my own postpartum has been one of the hardest seasons of my life. I don’t write from above the experience — I write from inside it.
10+ yrs
HEALTHY-HAIR EXPERIENCE
Certified
TRICHOLOGY EDUCATION
Ready to start your journey?
Book a consultation with me so we can take a closer look at your hair and scalp needs together. I’ll help you understand what may be going on, answer your questions, and recommend a care approach that feels realistic, supportive, and personalized to you.