A pre-pandemic photo of the former First Lady and Damtew, who says she’s done Michelle Obama’s hair “hundreds” of times.

Isaac Palmisano / Image Is Everything

Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s “wineberry plum,” Sergio Hudson-designed outfit stole the show on Inauguration Day, matched only by her luscious, laid hairstyle. (She even had “laidt” trending on Twitter for a moment.) Before she’d even stepped out onto the inauguration stage, the internet got to work sleuthing and meme-ing to find out who was responsible for Obama’s curls.

It wasn’t long before NBC Washington’s Jummy Olabanji tweeted that Yene Damtew, owner of Aesthetics Salon in Arlington, was the mystery hairstylist. But as WAMU/DCist learned, this wasn’t the first time Damtew has had such a big role — not even close.

Responding to emailed questions, Damtew writes that she’s worked with the Obamas since they first moved into the White House in 2009. Her mentor Johnny Wright, the former self-described HOTUS (Hair Stylist of the United States), brought her onto the team that styled the Obama daughters’ hair, and Damtew would occasionally help with Michelle’s hair.

“Since leaving the White House in 2016, I have worked with Mrs. Obama full time,” she says. “I can’t count how many times I’ve done her hair. It’s been hundreds of hundreds of times.”

Along with the Obamas, her portfolio includes styling Tracee Ellis Ross, Skai Jackson, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and Hugh Jackman for various events.

Originally from Orange County, California, the 33-year-old salon owner is the child of Ethiopian immigrants and moved to the D.C. area in 2009. She opened her first salon in 2017 — a small, two-chair salon off Glebe Road in Arlington — and in 2020, of all years, opened a larger space in the same neighborhood.

She picked the specific hairstyle to compliment the outfit selected by Meredith Coop, Obama’s stylist, and the work of Obama’s makeup artist, Carl Ray.

“I hope what America saw was a former First Lady who is smart, confident, beautiful, and honored to stand beside America’s new first family,” says Damtew.

To achieve the signature look, Damtew says she curled Obama’s hair with a one-inch barrel iron and used a round brush to create body and “soften” the curls.

“I finished it off with a feather comb for some volume and then hair spray so it would hold for the day,” she says.

Since the inauguration, her inbox has been flooded with press inquiries and messages from customers wanting to book appointments. What started as an ordinary work day for her ended up being a bit overwhelming, she says.

“It’s truly humbling and I am so thankful for the exposure. Right now I’m just trying to get through the hundreds of appointment requests we are getting at the salon.”

Like many small businesses in the region, her salon was closed for months during the beginning of the pandemic last spring. When Gov. Ralph Northam allowed salons to reopen, she didn’t open the doors immediately. Instead, she and her team had several meetings to decide how best to proceed. They put a plan in place to keep everyone safe — requiring masks, temperature checks, and strict hand washing policy for everyone in the salon.

“The days of packing the salon with multiple customers are also over for now,” she says. “We send text alerts when it’s safe for a customer to come inside and we kindly ask that they leave as soon as their appointment is over so we can bring in the next guest. I feel very comfortable with how we’ve been able to adjust and pivot in this time. I am also thankful for the patience everyone has shown while we navigate life during a pandemic.”

Filed Under: arlington, first lady michelle obama, inauguration 2021, meanwhile in virginia, michelle obama,