True Crime $800 Hustle: The ‘Brazilian Weave’ Disaster

When folks think of true crime, they often associate it with terrible murders or robbers. Notably, they don’t think about a place where beauty seems paramount. However, a trending legal battle surfaced recently about a “hustle.” Read on for more details.

Luxury Hair Treatment Gone Bad

The People’s Court on YouTube covered a case this week, and it focused on luxury hair treatment. However, it all went wrong for Shellane Baker.

While it’s not a headline felony, the case seems like the perfect example of smaller true crime in the service industry. In this instance, it involved more than $700 in an investment that literally fell apart in hours. Talk about a bad hair day!

Using An Unlicensed Stylist

According to the report, a dispute started between Shellane and an allegedly unlicensed stylist. Actually, it found quite good traction because lots of people use stylists.

Additionally, it isn’t every day that a plaintiff turns up with their own evidence: like their own hair. Well, it all started when allegedly, Shellane claimed she met Rochelle Williams at a local eyebrow “threading” shop.

The Brazilian Weave

Williams ended up selling her the idea of a “Brazilian Weave.” If you don’t know, it’s a technique that supposedly lasts months and withstands washing and styling. Notably for such luxury, the price tag’s not cheap.

In this case, it cost about $500 for the labor and an additional $200 for the hair and other things needed. Keen on it, Shellane took a full day off work. So, she sat in the chair for nearly 10 hours. Sadly, the “hustle” hairstyle allegedly unraveled the next morning.

Escalating Into A Legal Battle

Naturally, when Shellane woke up and discovered her expensive new look failed, she had something to say about it. According to Shellane, “five pieces came out” as soon as she brushed her hair the next morning.

Unhappy, she contacted Rochelle, who suggested she return for a fix. However, as the day went by, more and more chunks of hair fell out.

The Court Case

Now, you might think it’s a storm in a teacup, but folks seem particularly concerned about the way they look. So, naturally, the plaintiff felt that the whole thing seemed like a true crime. Actually, she also felt that it was a breach of contract and professional negligence.

In court, Shellane alleged that Rochelle had no idea what she was doing. Plus, she allegedly did the job with no proper credentials. So she couldn’t deliver the hairstyle that she promised.

The Evidence

You might snicker about it, but the case became a serious matter involving consumer rights. In court, Judge Marilyn Milian needed to arrive at a decision as to whether the incident was a scam by Shellane for a free weave. Alternatively, did Rochelle deliver a big botch-up?

Well, in her defence, Rochelle argued that hair doesn’t simply fall out, noting that without the help of scissors, it seemed “impossible.”

Unfortunately for Rochelle Williams, Shellane Baker handed over some evidence. It included a big chunk of hair that fell out, complete with sewing still in the tracks.

Next up, she produced an affidavit from a second stylist who fixed the “damaged spots,” and noted the previous work seemed unprofessional.

Then, there were plenty of texts, over 10 of them, sent in quick succession as the hair fail continued.

The Verdict

Here’s warning folks, because your “beauty hustle” could land you in trouble. For those looking for a bargain, they might also get more than they bargained for.

Judge Milian didn’t really buy into Rochelle’s suggestions that Shellane created an “elaborate scheme.”

However, on a serious note, she also pointed out that it makes no sense for someone to pull their own hair out and bribe a second stylist just to win a small claims case.

At the end of the day, Rochelle needed to pay $324 in damages. Hopefully that would make Shellane look  “whole” again.

After the hearing, Shellane dished a warning to others looking for Brazilian weaves and other elaborate styles. Talking about the defendant, she said, “If you see her and she says she does hair, run!”

Viewers React

The small claims court wasn’t a joke to others who enjoy getting their hair done professionally. One viewer opined, “The defendant has no clue what she’s talking about as soon as she started talking I knew she wasn’t an expert.”

Here are a few responses from the discussion:

• In most U.S. states you do not need a full cosmetology license to do a weave, but you may still need a specialized braiding or hair weaving license depending on your state’s regulations. I googled. lol.
• When the defendant was asked about the Brazilian weave, but immediately started talking about interlocking vs Brazilian, I smelled deception.
• Let this be a lesson to all potential hair weave customers: Do Not Hire The Kitchen Beautician!

What are your thoughts? Is the unlicensed Brazilian weave disaster a crime in your book? Let us know in the comments below, and check back with us often for more true crime news and updates.

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