Nosedive: Why There Are No Ring Lights at VANITY

May 1

3 min read

Updated: Nov 7

Stylist working on a client's natural hair in a bright, plant-filled salon

Remember the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive,” where everyone is obsessed with their five-star rating? Every character lives in a pastel purgatory where every smile is fake and every latte is a photo op. Look at social media in 2026 and you have to ask: who are these people even influencing?

In the episode, the main character loses everything trying to climb a social ladder made of glass. I decided to break the glass instead.

MY BUSINESS, MY TERMS

I didn’t take on the financial risk of opening a business so someone could shoot performative content with my salon as the backdrop. I opened VANITY to be a sanctuary for Black women. While the world chases veneers, I’m chasing impact.

That’s why you won’t see influencers setting up tripods and ring lights in my salon. It disturbs the energy of the room. Do I record content once in a blue moon to keep our pages alive? Sure. But it’s rare. VANITY is built on privacy, safety, and realness, and all of that evaporates the moment a camera is in your face. Trading comfort for a handful of likes isn’t worth it. If the energy isn’t real, it doesn’t belong here.

OFF THE GRID, THEN ON THE LIST

In the beginning, I resisted social media so hard I didn’t want a phone that could download the apps. I knew what that exposure meant: the door opens for creepy people with no boundaries, and for the jealous ones who live on comparison. I’m a 47-year-old Gen Xer with an analog childhood and a digital adulthood. I’ve seen what too much information does to people.

My original vision was simple: a quiet, discreet space that existed off the grid. The universe had other plans. Our profile took off, and we were ranked one of the top ten natural hair salons in New York City.

That came with noise. Spiteful reviews when our schedule is full. Attorneys sending cease-and-desist letters to unhinged “potential” clients. And constant requests to record content or film an entire appointment.

I shut that down immediately. I don’t care who the client is. The answer is the same: that’s not happening. My clients come here because they know they’re safe. They pay for the hair. They stay for the discretion.

PROTECT YOUR FACE

I’m protective of my people, too. This April, I was styling a young woman at the very start of her professional career. When we took photos of her hair, I told her to turn so her face wasn’t in the frame.

She shrugged. “Oh, I don’t care. You can show my face.”

I said, “Listen. You’re new in your role. Keep your exposure low until you get exactly where you want to be. Dial it down until you’re a hundred percent sure of your footing.”

She stopped and looked at me. “Natasha, I didn’t even think about that.”

It’s not about muzzling anyone. It’s about being conscious. If you’re an entrepreneur or a creative and you can show your whole life without fear of consequences, that’s beautiful. But at VANITY, we protect everyone, and we hold space for you to calm your nervous system instead of expecting you to show up camera-ready.

You can chase the best hair anywhere in New York. You can’t buy our atmosphere.

When your appointment becomes content, who’s really getting paid?

Thank you for reading.

Natasha Watterson, MPA | Owner, VANITY Hair Studio NYC