By Tracey Khan
With a client roster that includes Beyoncé, Cardi B, Mary J. Blige, and Nia Long, celebrity hair stylist Xia Charles is transforming her artistry into an empire, ushering in her era as a beauty mogul.
Charles recently celebrated the grand opening of her new Brooklyn salon, Braided New York, and the national debut of her product collaboration with ORS Haircare, marking a major moment for protective styling in the mainstream beauty industry.
The launch event at her 39 Rogers Ave in Fort Greene salon was a high-energy blend of culture, glam, and hair artistry. Attendees witnessed live braid styling, exclusive product reveals, and a crowd that included tastemakers, stylists, and media insiders. Even radio personality Angela Yee sat in Charles’ chair for a fresh on-site braid session.
“This has always been bigger than braids,” Charles said during the celebration. “It’s about celebrating hair as an art form, as culture, and as a source of confidence.”
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The event spotlighted Charles’ new product partnership with ORS, a legendary name in textured hair care. Their joint collection, ORS Braid Zone, features scalp-soothing oils, setting foams, and targeted treatments specifically designed for protective styles.
The standout: the “Braided by Xia Charles” mousse, infused with lavender, açaí, and batana oils, now available nationwide and on Amazon. With her face proudly on the packaging, Charles joins a rare class of stylists who’ve crossed over into brand ownership and national retail.
“Growing up, I saw ORS in every salon and household,” Charles said. “Now, to be the face of a product I helped create? It’s surreal. And the mousse works on all hair types — that was important to me.”
Charles first broke into the spotlight in 2018 when a viral braid video caught the attention of Cardi B. A DM later, she was on set styling the rapper’s hair and, eventually, her kids. Since then, her client list has grown to include some of the biggest names in music, film, and sports, from Beyoncé to NFL star Stefon Diggs.
But her success didn’t happen overnight. Before the celebrity bookings and brand deals, Charles was braiding in a rented chair at a Brooklyn barbershop, hustling to make ends meet.
“I have a degree in economics and law, but I wasn’t fulfilled,” she said. “Braiding was something I always knew how to do and when I leaned into it, everything changed.”
Now with her own salon, a national product line, and a growing media presence, Charles is redefining what it means to be a hairstylist in the age of influence. Braided New York is more than a salon; it’s a cultural hub, a creative space, and a testament to what’s possible when talent meets vision.
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“If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your gifts will make room for you,” Charles said. “And sometimes, the path you didn’t plan ends up being the one that changes everything.”
As the beauty world continues to elevate protective styles and Black hair artistry, Xia Charles is leading the charge with a mousse in one hand, a braid comb in the other, and the whole industry watching.
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