HER interest in cosmetology was spiked as she peeped through the creases on the walls and doors leading to her mother’s salon. She would ‘make up’ her doll as a child, and even practice her skills on other kids. She is the now 28-year-old licensed cosmetologist Allahya Semple, who succeeded at eventually establishing a salon of her own! Her middle name is Ngozi, an African word that translates to “Blessing”.
Allahya grew up in Dartmouth Village on the Essequibo Coast, before moving to live for a short while at Bourda, in the city. She then migrated to the United States, where she spent approximately 11 years, during which she completed a five-year course in cosmetology. She returned to Guyana about two years ago, and opened her salon some five months later.

Approaching the salon, one could see the sign, “Texas-trained cosmetologist Allahya – Look and feel gorgeous.” And this is exactly what Allahya promises! “I give you exactly what the sign says. It’s a full service salon. Somebody could come in with a little hair, or looking a certain way; but after they leave, you see a total transformation. And that’s what I like.”

Among the services available at the salon are pedicures, manicures, facials, dandruff and fungi treatments, hair extensions, relaxing, and even fixing minor skin problems on the face.

“I can deal with your hair, your skin, and your nails. I could do any hair types and any hair problems – I could fix it. I just like making people over. And when someone looks different, they feel different about themselves. So that’s the whole idea,” says Allahya.

The salon is open for business from Monday to Saturday during the hours of 8 am and 7 pm. Work on Sunday is done only by appointment. And she believes her prices are affordable.
Allahya is a mother of one, Lisa Mitchell. She says it makes her joyful to see the benefits her customers experience as a result of her services. “I love doing it. It’s a passion.”

She recalled that, as a child, her mother, Vesta Bobb-Semple, would not allow her to enter into the salon; but she would nevertheless help her to clean it once it was closed. “Since I was little, I liked looking beautiful.”

Asked why she decided to return to Guyana after completing her studies, Allahya said she wanted to give back to her country. There is even more that she wants to do here, she said, including opening up her own cosmetology school.

“I want to open my own school to educate people about their hair, skin and nails. I am licensed to do this. It’s more of a long-term goal, but I believe in getting educated and staying on top of things.”

Dedication to work and an interest in the customer will make a person a good cosmetologist, Allahya says, adding that this has to accompany proper customer service and satisfying the customer.  

Allahya also has a natural talent for sculpting and the like. Besides, she has a “flair” for counselling, as she feels for women who are being battered. She intends to pursue her interest in both fields.