Alfred is a multi-hyphenate content creator, entrepreneur, educator, artist, stylist, and beauty engineer based in Chicago. His business, Innoval Inventions, serves graphic wig masterpieces, educational tutorials, and innovative products designed to push the limits of hair artistry. 

This Pride Month, he’s sharing his personal hair journey, go-to glam products, and mission to help everyone see the endless possibilities when they step outside the box.

what does being a beauty engineer mean to you? 

Hair is my number one, my love, my passion, but I don't want to limit myself to only hair because I am an artist in other ways, too. Being an engineer involves creating a system to make something work as a whole. 

When I think of a beauty engineer, I think of all aspects of beauty. The idea of a beauty engineer came to me one day when I was painting wigs about two or three years ago and realized I wanted to elevate my artistry and approach beauty more holistically. 

love that! do you have a beauty philosophy?

My biggest philosophy in both beauty and life is to not limit yourself to whatever “normal” is.

Generally speaking, if the general population is doing it—then it's boring. By that, I mean that there's no progression or creativity happening. 

It’s important for me to continue doing that because as I continue and more people see me doing it, we’ll push the boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable. The more people dare to step out of the box, the easier it will be to not look at creatives as isolated individuals doing something different. Feeling the freedom to express our individuality won't feel so hard. The more people express their individuality, the more that will become our new normal. 

is that how you got started with Innoval Inventions and From Canvas to Tresses?

My baby, Innoval Inventions is all about inventions‚ that’s why it’s in the name. My purpose is to bring new products that will change the beauty industry and the way we’re able to express ourselves.

From Canvas to Tresses is my first targeted educational product, where I step into being a teacher and show my exact process. I break down step-by-step exactly how I envision my wigs, to how I complete and get them out to the public. Explaining how I take everything in my head and put it into the physical product of the wig was a fun challenge and hopefully helpful. My goal was to create something available to anybody interested in furthering their career and techniques because my techniques aren't taught in school. 

how did you get interested in wigs?

Fun fact: both of my grandmothers were hairdressers and one owned a hair salon in the same house I grew up in. So ever since I was a child, I had the opportunity to experiment with hair on mannequin heads. I've just had an abundance of them in her closet where she just kept them so I've always had the opportunity to have my hands on some type of hair. 

Usually, kids go outside and play with their friends but I was coming home from school and putting curlers in my head. I  used to stay up all night doing that and I sometimes missed homework or studying because I was just playing with hair all day. I put on my first wig in 2018 and it changed my whole life trajectory. I’ve never looked back!

if someone were thinking about trying wigs out for the first time, what advice would you give 

them?

Go into it with an open mindset and patience. Practice makes perfect so you're not going to be the best right away, but with a little practice and dedication, you’ll learn the techniques and master them.

how do wigs help you express yourself? 

Wigs are not only a protective style, but a way to express your creativity and emotions externally. The whole purpose of wigs, beauty, and makeup is to transform yourself and make you feel something.