As an African American student, Luke Seruma has always had more pressure regarding his hair and skin. Coming to a predominantly White university, he wasn’t sure what he would find and how he would continue his skin- and hair-care.
“Once I get somebody that cuts my hair well, I don’t want anybody else to cut my hair, so I was very, very skeptical,” Seruma said.
His experience is shared across many minority communities.
At UW-Madison, almost 60% of undergraduates are White, and only about 3% of undergraduates are African American. Minority cultures often have their own styles, from clothing and hair to other forms of expression.
“Even when I live at home, being Black does impact how and where I get my hair done…I have to drive 40 minutes to New Brunswick, because that is more of an urban area,” Seruma said.
As a student, money is an important factor in everything you do. Haircuts for men generally cost at least $30, which can be unaffordable for some to do consistently.
“I have a guy here. His name is Julian. He gives me good haircuts for a good price, which is nice,” Seruma said.
Sometimes, finding someone to trust can be just as challenging as affording their services.
“So when this dude was like, ‘Yo, I can cut hair,’ I didn’t trust that dude,” Seruma said. “I had to go out there, and I watched him cut a couple of people’s hair.”
Now, the person who cuts his hair is also a student and charges only $25 per cut. When Seruma gets his hair cut every month, anything more would add up quickly. Since Seruma has found someone he can trust, he is choosing to stick with him.
But not everyone is lucky enough to find someone who can help them express themselves, and many students get stuck without anyone to cut their hair.
Vero, a new app designed by UW-Madison students, is designed for just this. The app connects verified student providers with students seeking someone to help them look their best. Providers are looking for experience and hours to get better, and students are looking for cheaper solutions to the problems that arise when they leave home. Vero offers both services and forums for students like Seruma.
At first, finding a provider was more difficult than he’d imagined.
“In my first year, I had a hard time finding a place to get my hair cut, and that resulted in some haircuts that I did not like,” Seruma said.
Beyond hair care, Vero also offers skincare advice. Building a skincare routine can be challenging, especially when adjusting to college life. Because everyone’s skin is different, there is no single solution. Vero’s forums give students a place to ask questions and get personalized answers to help keep their skin looking its best.
When asked about his skincare routine, Seruma said, “When I shower, I use Cerave face wash, I get face lotion for during the day, and there is also a night face lotion.”
Every student has their own routine, and Vero would give them the confidence to find out what works best for them. For Seruma, an app like this could have made a significant difference, especially when it came to his hair.
“I had those records for some rather rough-looking hairstyles,” Seruma said. “So it would have been nice.”
Sources
Luke Seruma, Student