Essence Beauty

Essence Beauty began as a small shop called Seven Mart in a city just outside Atlanta, selling basic beauty supplies, including hair products and weaving extensions. As customers kept asking for wigs, the business opened another location to carry a wider range. As the range grew beyond hair products, it was renamed Essence Beauty. The business says it has been operating for 28 years and describes itself as born, raised and made in Atlanta.

The stores sell human hair and synthetic wigs, lace wigs and half wigs, along with human weaving hair, lace closures, crochet braids, pre-stretched hair and bulk braid hair. Staff were trained to care for and style wigs, and the business recommends a simple care routine: soak the wig in a conditioner and warm water, massage gently, rinse with lukewarm water, and air dry. New wigs may look different when first unboxed and can be shaken out or restyled with water and a brush.

Shelves also carry hair care products such as gels and edge control, styling products, shampoos, conditioners, hair growth products, kids products and hair color, plus combs, brushes, wig glue, wig clips and wig care items. Electrical tools include trimmers, clippers, shavers, flat irons, curling irons and dryers. The kids products collection includes Cantu, African Pride and Mane Choice brands.

Each year the business hosts a community event with a free haircut, free food, giveaways and entertainment that features local musicians and artists. Its online store, run by Essence Beauty Online LLC, offers much of the same range, with a K-Pop music and merchandise section.

Product selection is built from years of customer conversations and the team's knowledge of brands, with the aim of offering products, tools and shared information for natural and unique beauty.