Today we’d like to introduce you to Khalidah (Loveli) Robinson
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an artist who originally wanted to be a makeup artist. I learned how to do hair because my aunt did not like lace fronts or wigs, at the time, and she was the only person who I allowed to do my hair other than me. I started wearing wigs because I loved YouTube beauty and I also loved color, but refused to dye my hair. Within a few months, students at my highschool wanted me to do their hair. (16yo) I did hair in the cafeteria, classrooms of my favorite teachers, and even in the bathroom. (Along with hair I also put on lashes, did makeup, and sold lashes at lunch time.) I was an all around beauty service provider lol. I used my last check from my first real job to invest into ready made wigs, an idea that is still consistent with my work of today. By 17, my mom allowed me to do hair in the living room. Doing hair in the living room allowed me to invest in myself again by starting a clothing line and boutique selling shade/clothing/lashes/bundles/wigs. I shutdown my boutique because I wanted better quality. This caused me to focus on hair until I found a solution. By 19 I was in a shop in whitehaven doing hair day in and day out. Some days I didn’t leave the shop until 2 am. I faced my fair share of boundaries being crossed because of my desire to hustle. Hustle mentality led me into a deep depression, because I drained myself. I also drained myself not charging my worth and being a yes man to every request given. This created what I’d say was a mirage of frustration on my beauty skills. By October of 2021, I didn’t want to touch anyone’s hair. Not even my own moms. I ended up working At UPS for a couple of months and working on grounding myself and finding out what I really liked. I knew I didn’t fit at UPS, but I continued to work while also applying for new jobs. I applied to be an substitute art teacher as a unserious risk at 20 years old. To my surprise, I became an official FULL time art teacher on my second day. Someone may think this is irrelevant, but my students are the reason I returned to hair. Not all were sure of their creativity, some lost it, some were afraid of it, and some were blindly amazing. I related to them and learned from them while they learned from me. Through my efforts of reassuring them, I was reassuring myself of a lost desire I didn’t know I still had. A spark of desire to make creativity my sole life purpose- to make everything art intentionally**. I desire to do things with passion because without passion what is art. By 2023, I decided that I needed** to do hair. It took for my sister having a hair problem for me to be able to touch a wig again. I was so happy. I had to start back. I used my entire summer check to invest into my business. I depended fully on my faith because I knew God had a plan for me with all of this. It was a rocky start, but with the help of friends I was able to build a clientele back. This time around with more passions, no hustle, boundaries for my body and my mental, and a better location. I was and am still in downtown Memphis. Eventually, it got to a point where I had to choose. Who do I want to be? A elementary art teacher or a hairstylist. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made but i chose hair, because I am determined to be a role model for them and show them you can do any and everything.
(May 2024) I miss them daily, but since then I have been a full time hairstylist in downtown Memphis despite the constant thought of getting a job. I now have consistent returning clients, luxury service experiences for my clients, a magazine to support my modeling and love for 901 and a loving community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was not a smooth road, but my faith in God has kept me afloat. Even when I didn’t think I had enough, I have never went without. Even when I invested every penny I had, time after time, I still was able to have the simple luxuries in life. I own my journey and blame my downfalls on rushed completion, stubbornness, and time I did not submit to God and the plan that was in front of me.
Sometimes it’s okay to have trials and tribulations. They are just as important as our victories because without them, how would you know how to sustain yourself? Bumps show us how smooth the ride really is. How will you know to be grateful for your blessings? How will you know what fulfilment feels like.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for lace wigs, but I am a magazine owner, singer, lyricist, painter, clothing designer, model, and hairstylist. Not many people know any of this.
I am most proud of my ability to have multiple skills without feeling overwhelmed. I unfortunately see them all equally important in my life. My multifaceted nature sets me apart. I’m unpredictable, but a true example of the power of God, practice, and experiencing life through what you love-creation.
Any big plans?
I am looking forward to bettering myself in all areas. I plan to gravitate more towards creating my public image and public expression. I want to talk more and help people to improve their mindset because I feel as though loving ourselves, loving to enjoy experiences, and creation are the keys to wish fulfillment. The key is love.
This is where my stage name LoveLi comes from. I consider myself a self love advocate and with my story, I am a first hand example of the power of leaning on God and allowing oneself to believe in yourself.
Putting myself out their is a big change for me.
Pricing:
- Wig installs $165
- Quickweaves $150
- Sew ins $200
- Tape ins $200
- Product Vendors $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.itslabeled.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslabeled
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19u4mgaFip/
