Nafisat Bisola Abdulazeez is a Professional Hairstylist and Founder of Feesah Hair Salon based in Ilorin shares her experiences as hair stylist to actors in the creative in industry
Can we meet you?
My name is Nafisat bisola Abdulazeez.
I’m a creative and professional hairstylist and the founder of Feesah Hair Salon based in Ilorin, Kwara State. While my salon caters to everyday beauty needs, my real passion lies in the creative side of hairstyling especially for people involved in stage performances, fashion shows, and cultural productions.
I’ve always believed that hair should tell a story, and I enjoy working in spaces where beauty and art come together.
How did you secure the offer of being a hair stylist for dancing crews in Kwara State
I was recommended by the the Kwara State Association of Hairdressers and cosmetologist (KWASHCO). They were selecting hairstylists to work on a creative styling project for various performance groups, and I was chosen along with three others.
They wanted stylists with experience beyond the salon people who could design styles that suited movement, costumes, and performance themes.
From there, I was affiliated with them as an adjunct hairstylist, regularly called upon to work with different creative groups preparing for stage events, festivals, and cultural performances. That opened many doors for me within the creative space.
How would you describe the patronage of your salon
The patronage is definitely growing. More people in the creative industry especially performers, models, dancers, and even gospel acts now understand that styling is part of their performance.
Whether it’s a choir performing on stage or a drama team preparing for a big event, hair has become an important part of the final look.
It’s not just about being neat it’s about fitting the role, the theme, and the story. So yes, patronage is improving and hairstylists are becoming more valued in these spaces.
How would you describe the challenges you face?
Working in the creative industry comes with its own unique pressures especially when you’re responsible for helping performers look stage-ready under very limited time.
One of the main challenges is having to style multiple people quickly, often in high-energy environments like backstage or on location.
But over the years, I’ve trained myself to work effectively under pressure, stay calm, and still deliver neat, creative results.
I also face situations where people don’t always recognize how technical and artistic performance styling can be but with every successful project, that perception continues to shift.
What types of styles do they always require?
The styles vary depending on the performance and the message they want to pass across, but most creative clients are looking for something that’s visually striking, durable, and theme-appropriate. For traditional or cultural events, they often request locally inspired styles like threading, tribal braids, or styles accessorized with beads and fabric.
For stage performances or choirs, they prefer uniform and elegant looks like sleek buns, low ponytails, or styled wigs that can hold up under lights and movement.
Fashion and artistic shoots usually give room for more bold and expressive styles like afro puffs, colored extensions, or structured updos. Each look is designed to fit the character, the costume, and the overall mood of the performance.
