FLAIR FOR HAIR
Betty Johnson has been keeping up with trends since 1960
Up-dos, teasing, perms. There have been a lot of hairstyles in fashion since the 1950s when Betty Johnson went to beauty school.
From long and natural, to short and spiky, Johnson, owner of BJ’s Beauty Salon, has seen the trends come and go.
Johnson, who just turned 90 on Sept. 1, has been a professional hair stylist since 1960. She has worked out of her salon at East 21 and Jefferson for the entire length of her career.
“I’ve never even thought about moving,” she said. “And I still love doing hair. I still do it but not as much.”
The sharp, unmistakable odor of
hair chemicals greets visitors as they enter the salon. Hair dryers from another era are on display behind glass.
“I’ve got some old ones,” Johnson said. “Sometimes my customers will find old appliances at garage sales and get them for me.”
Johnson grew up in Ashdown, Ark., but moved into her home in Texarkana, Ark., in about 1955.
Her husband, William Johnson Jr., worked for the railroad, and Betty Johnson worked as a clerk and typist at Red River Army Depot.
She later worked at Montgomery Wards and attended beauty school at night. The beauty school was on Broad Street, and she enjoyed working with the other students.
She earned her license in 1960 and added the salon onto her home.
“I’ve had the same customers for years. You really get attached to them,” she said. Sadly, she has seen many customers pass on or move to nursing homes over the years.
Johnson said she has always enjoyed doing hair and would practice on members of her large family when she was growing up.
Her daughter Phyllis grew up around the salon and is also a hairstylist.
Johnson turned 90 in early September, and friends and family had a surprise birthday party for her.
BJ’s Beauty Salon is open Monday through Friday. She used to work on Saturdays but closes now so she can go to garage sales. She also enjoys painting and working in the yard.