By the time she was 22 last year, Justice Bush (known on stage as Justice B.) had already released three albums and a new single, and was regularly performing live shows.
Though music is still in her heart and voice, at 23 her hands have a new calling in the Justice B. Beauty salon.
“I just wanted to create a nice place for girls in the community to work and people to come and enjoy themselves,” said Bush, a licensed cosmetologist and artist..
Justice B Beauty’s grand opening is Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at 120 Mendel Parkway, off Atlanta Highway. There will be giveaways, food trucks, and DJ Ole Yella. Text “I’m a winner” 334-224-6319 to register for giveaways.
The new salon is a continuation of a family tradition in hair and beauty.
“My (maternal) great grandmother, she owned a shop in downtown Montgomery for over 50 years,” Bush said. “It was Dorothy Posey’s Beauty Shop.”
The late Dorothy Posey opened her first shop in the ’50s. At the time, the price was $1.50 to $1.75 for a shampoo, style and press. In the ’70s, Posey was the first Black beautician to be president of the Alabama Cosmetology Association’s Montgomery chapter. By the ’90s, the price of Posey’shair care rose to $15 and up.
“When I was little, I always liked fooling with hair, you know, the children in the neighborhood,” Posey told the Advertiser in 1992. “I just liked dealing with hair.”
Along with Posey, hair care was also part of Bush’s family through her dad’s parents, who owned May Street Style Shop in Montgomery.
“I think it’s cool to carry out the family legacy and be another generation doing it,” Bush said.
All things beauty at Justice B. Beauty
Bush said she’ll and her team of experts will be offering natural hair care services, extensions, tints, facials, eyebrow waxing, eyelash extensions, and other luxury services all around.
“We’re basically a one-stop shop for all things beauty,” she said.
Along with hair supplies, that includes items like candles and shirts, plus Justice B. music CDs.
She’s attracting clients from Montgomery’s music scene, including Cassidy and “American Idol” top 10 finalist Lady K.
“Lady K is actually my brand ambassador for my business,” Bush said. “Me and Lady K, we’ve known each other for years.”
She said their goal is to help people on the inside as well through “beauty therapy.”
“People can come and talk to us about whatever they might have going on,” Bush said. “We’ll give advice and guidance. You’ll have a nice environment to relax in and feel good about themselves.”
Bush had a soft opening for clients this week, complete with her music playing throughout the salon. Guests will likely hear Bush singing along in person as well.
“I sing in the shop a lot,” she said. “I’m always humming and singing. Any of my clients can tell you.”
Normal salon hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information, visit justicebbeauty.com and follow the salon on Facebook @justicebbeauty.
“I just really want to make people feel good about themselves,” Justice said.
More music ahead
Though the salon’s been taking up a lot of time, more Justice B music is coming soon.
“I kind of shifted my priorities so that I could get one goal accomplished at a time,” Bush said.
Her latest release from earlier this year is the single “Flow,” available on most digital platforms.
An upcoming music project is in the works, but there’s no release date yet.
Look for her live on stage again soon. Once the shop is officially open, she’ll start booking shows again.
“I’m not stopping at music ever,” she said.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.
