The Business of Beauty

Photographs of beauty and tonsorial (shaving and hairdressing) parlors show that there was a particular look to the business of beauty. Black-and-white checkered floors, neat rows of beauty products, and clean lines of metal furniture appear repeatedly in these Wilmington salons.

The impression of this beauty salon is one of cleanliness and order. Tidy displays feature the products for sale, including perfume, with the “Chanel” sign visible above the left counter. The woman behind the counter wears a fitted sweater and a string of pearls; her hair is styled in tight, pinned-back curls. Her elegant look echoes that of the salon, creating an overall sense of professionalism.

Three women in this photo wear identical crisp uniforms and similar hairstyles, creating a cohesive look for employees. The fourth woman wears professional day clothes and may have held another role in the business, such as manager or owner. Estella’s Beauty Salon was located at 819 Poplar Street and served Wilmington’s African American community.

As historian Tiffany Gill suggests, more than promoters of beauty culture, black beauticians often used their prominent positions in the community and economic well-being to support civil rights activism and political mobilization. While beauty parlors catered to women, tonsorial parlors were for men. Burton’s Tonsorial Parlor, located at 801 Walnut Street, served Wilmington’s African American community and was featured in the Negro Motorist Green Book in the 1930s and 1940s.