By Akili King ·Updated April 8, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… “In The Chair” spotlights the incredible hairstylists and makeup artists in our community who are giving us major inspiration. Each week, they discuss their personal beauty and career journeys, what they’ve learned from their clients, and their top glam tips.
As her Instagram bio suggests, Candace Witherspoon’s life’s work is to “make curls juicy.” In other words, the Liberian-born, NY-based hairstylist champions healthy hair all day. “I love making my clients feel beautiful when it comes to their hair,” the owner of Candace Witherspoon Salon tells ESSENCE. “I love educating them on how to better take care of their curls at home.”
This passion for hair was innate and began during her early days in Liberia. “We never really went to hair salons so we used to do each other’s hair,” she says. “I remember braiding my friends’ hair for school. We had to braid each other’s hair on Sunday for the school week,” she shares. “I did my hair all through high school, even doing my own relaxers,” which she got her first one of at 7 years old—eventually doing a big chop at 23 years old, and embracing her full afro at 29.
Naturally, after she graduated, Witherspoon realized she wanted to be a hairstylist professionally. “I went to beauty school the year after graduating high school and never stopped. It’s been 16 years!”
Eventually, she came to New York and attended Empire Beauty School in Manhattan, before becoming an apprentice in high end salons. Then, she worked her way up to be senior stylist and educator for DevaCurl. When she wasn’t doing her salon work, she could be found backstage for shows like Stella McCartney, Oscar De la Renta, Mugler and Carolina Herrera during New York Fashion Week.
These days, she continues to work with all curl textures in her own salon, and even embracing a new phase of her own personal hair adventure. “I’m currently loc’d and enjoying this part of my hair journey.”
And if there’s nothing else her career thus far has taught her, it’s the importance of having compassion. “You never know what someone is going through.”
Below, Witherspoon opens about her healthy hair tips, favorite products, and so much more.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Candace Witherspoon (@curlsbycandace)
Her Favorite Products:I’m loving the new Créme of Nature Scalp Relief Wipes. It’s great for scalp relief throughout the week when there’s no time for a wash. It removes gel, oils, and dirt without disturbing hair src="https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/04/Unknown-1.jpeg" alt="Curl Specialist Candace Witherspoon Shares Her Top Tips" width="400" height="543" />Screenshot Her Favorite Hairtarget="_blank"> View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Candace Witherspoon (@curlsbycandace)
Her Top Healthy Hair Tip:Keeping up with your hair trims. When your ends are healthy your hair will flourish.
A Hair Myth She Wants To Debunk:Focusing just on the outside (oils, shampoo, etc) for hair growth. Apart from genetics, it’s really important what you feed your body for faster hair growth or health.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Candace Witherspoon (@curlsbycandace)
How She Uplifts Her Clients:I remind them that everyone is on their own hair journey. Try your best to not compare. I always let them know, I’m going to do my best so that your hair can flourish.
TOPICS: Creme of Nature In The Chair WithThe post Curl Specialist Candace Witherspoon Shares Her Top Tips appeared first on Essence.