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Describe yourself in 3 sentences…

I’m a passionate hairstylist and business owner with high standards for my clients as well as myself. 

I love working with individuals that want more than just a “good” haircut and I’m never afraid to tell people the truth no matter if feelings get hurt.

I believe the good of people will always outweigh the bad and that it is never too late to change or make a difference.

What’s Jeremy’s artistic style? What influences your work?

My artistic style is meticulous clean work on very simple and practical everyday haircuts, no artsy runway, supermodel, or for hair show only cuts and styles from me. I will tell you straight up if I think a cut or style only looks good for a photograph but makes no “hair sense” for the individuals lifestyle or practical everyday application.

Simplicity influences my work most of all, stuff that just works best for my clients. I also draw inspiration from classic styles that stand the test of time like clean A line bobs, simple side parts, and classic tapers and blends. Recently I’m more influenced by other artists photography more so than anything. Some of my favorite photography influences are from @Andrewdoeshair, @Handsome_ransom and @whitneyvermeer.

Even when it isn’t popular, you always stay true to who you are. What is your advice to others having trouble with authenticity?

I never read the book but I loved that title “The subtle art of not giving a fuck.” That’s how I feel about everything I choose to post, I really just don’t give a fuck if people think its good or bad as long as I think it’s dope that’s all that matters. The reality of not caring about trying to be popular is that you have 100% more creative freedom than caring. When you no longer limit what you’ll post to garner the most likes or attention you become completely free to real artistic expression because you don’t limit yourself based off of any reward system other than your own individual style and taste. 

For anyone struggling with authenticity I would recommend making a separate account where you post things you’ve done that only You think is good and what best expresses your true style and tastes. Once you get that feeling of freedom and you start to see how your body of work looks and how that account makes you feel, you might be more inclined to start doing what makes you feel the best and what’s more true to who you are as an artist on your more known account.

What stereotypes did you have of hairdressers that you feel differently about now? What myths have been broken?

One of the stereotypes I had early on was  for any hairdresser to become massively popular or well known they had to be affiliated with or work for a huge brand or global corporation. I think one of the really fantastic things about the Social Media Platform is that is not the case as it once was. Now people can decide what they think is rad or whack and that balances the power out more so than ever before in the beauty industry. One myth that has been broken for me is that every hairdresser cares about their clients hair. Sad to say I’ve met and have seen artists that only care about their ego and do things otherwise unhealthy to hair just for a picture or just for show. 

What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of cosmetology school knowing what you know now?

Remember why you chose this career and stay true to that no matter what. I talk to so many people that start out in school and in this industry that all have similar reasons for getting into hair. They want to make people feel good about themselves, they want to have a job where they can be who they are, they want a job they enjoy doing, they want a flexible schedule, they want to open their own salon, and somewhere along the way they either lose sight of those things or get so jaded about everything they stop caring and get stuck. Write those things down and don’t let them out of your sight –work your ass off until you’ve gotten exactly what you wanted out of this industry from day one. It’s not going to happen overnight and it might take years to get one of those things, let alone all of them, but it can and it will happen if you make it happen! Possibility is determined by your work ethic and attitude.

Who are 3 stylists – dead or alive – you’d love to have dinner with and why?

Vidal Sassoon of course. He was such a pioneer and a game changer and most everything we learn and are taught about haircutting as a system comes from him. I feel lucky enough to be around in a time where I’ve met people that have met him and have heard truly amazing stories of his love and compassion not only as a hairdresser and pioneer for our industry but as a human being. 

@Andrewdoeshair, because not only could we talk about stuff over dinner but from the looks of it he could also make the dinner and his cooking looks incredible.

Kelly Gorsuch, because he has an amazing story and mind for not only being an awesome hairdresser but as a successful business owner as well. Also dude knows food and would have the hookup on where to go.

Also I’d really like to have dinner with Annie Lerwill. I would love to pick her brain about the industry and philosophies, as well as branding, marketing and running an amazing business strategy for a cause that is very much selfless as well as needed!  

(Thanks Jeremy! You make us blush!)

On a perfect day I spend it….. and eating……

Lazy around my house in my bathrobe until 3:30 pm and eating Pad Thai noodles. 

What has been the most amazing opportunity you’ve had in the industry so far?

The most amazing opportunity I’ve had is simply being able to work with all of my clients everyday and being able to not only support myself but being able to donate proceeds from every haircut to a cause that is very close to my heart at St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. Located in my hometown of Memphis this is one of the greatest and most amazing causes in the world. I would like to encourage anyone reading this to please take some time and read more about what St Jude does with 100% of the money they receive as well as what they do there. You will also read about and hear some of the most amazing, inspiring, and incredible stories you can ever hear, so please check them out if you have a couple minutes in your day.

What do you think the biggest struggle stylists are experiencing today?

I think there is an unrealistic expectation for constant validation from EVERYONE but the actual client. I see more people worried about followers from strangers and likes on a posted photograph than actually feeling the satisfaction from doing an amazing job on their client especially if that client loves it. We are in the people business not the ME business, and I think the pressures from our current culture confuse stylists on what’s really important. What should be more important is our amazing clients that value our skills enough to pay our prices that pay our bills and support our dreams. I think that’s way more valuable than a couple hundred red hearts or likes and a few thousands followers you’ll never meet or connect with in real life. 

What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?

LOL ok so when I was growing up in the 80’s in the south I rocked a short haircut with a long piece of hair growing down the back of my neck called a “Rat Tail”. We actually for some reason called it a “goochie” which is as about as funny as the haircut. Also in the 90’s I rocked a mean “skater cut” which was basically a bowl cut on top of a disconnected shaved non faded underneath. 

What’s your next BIG goal?

My next big goal is to do more on the business side of things and consulting, as well as photography in the future. I love working behind the chair but I know I need an exit strategy that I can implement to stay within the industry but not have to work 10 hours behind a chair everyday. I’ve currently teamed up with Washi Scissor Company and I am really proud and happy to be working with them as the Artistic Director as well as an Educator and consultant. I’m really looking forward to growing with Washi and helping more stylist become more educated about Japanese Steels, why the price difference between the different types of steels, and what to look for when purchasing professional scissors as to not get ripped off or overpay ever again.

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…

I cared enough about what I do to talk to other stylists about hair stuff for hours on end. I think you know you’re a #hairnerd when your personal life and work life become one. When hair no longer feels like work and it’s something you just do because it’s a part of who you are now.

Stalk Jeremy

I’m all things Jeremywexlerhair- Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, www.jeremywexlerhair.com, literally any platform if you type in my name you can find me!

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This year has been my best and yet my worst – It started with my motto being “the year of yes”. Saying yes to opportunities that came my way, yes to going to events and education. Yes to talking to new people and expanding my social group, both personally and professionally. But… what this year has turned into is a year of saying yes to ME.

Choosing myself over anything else has grown me as a person on levels never ever imagined.

Has it been easy? Not even a little bit.

Saying yes to myself has made me say no to so many things. No to toxic people in my life, no to things that don’t help me grow, no to trips and events, no to opportunities that would have hindered my mental health, even if they could have been good for my business. No to things I used to think would bring me joy, but we’re honestly just band-aids to life. Saying no could seem to be the motto for the year from my old point of view, but saying yes to myself has become the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

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Sonya, whom is a long-time Global Ambassador for Wella Professionals recently was able to work with Sophie Turner – Game of Throne’s – and stated ” I was honored when Wella asked me to make Sophie’s hair blonde from Copper. It has given me the opportunity to work with Christian Wood her stylist and also gave me the chance to spend time with her, as she is an incredible woman.”

Get to know (and fall in love with) Sonya more by reading her feature below.

What does a “typical” day look like for Sonya?

A typical day is usually getting up and jumping in the shower and getting ready to teach a class for a day, or doing a shoot, or show or video. When I am at home it’s getting up to do some office work in my house, pay bills, conference calls etc.  Then hopefully going for a bite to eat with my boyfriend or he loves to cook at home.

Tell us your life story in 3 sentences

I left school with no qualifications, which my parents were not happy about. Discovered hairdressing and started to prove to the world that I was worthy of something which has provided me with passion, the love to succeed, hard work and never giving up. Now I cannot believe how blessed I have been to travel the world, whilst meeting the most amazing people and changing peoples lives on my way.

In a world of social media, awards and being declared amongst the best, how do you remain so humble?

I always believe anyone can be me, maybe its my British upbringing. I always remember how I started and where i came from and I always like to relate to my audience.

What was the best piece of advice you were given early in your career?

Best advise I was given is, if I am fearful about anything just to do it time and time again and the fear will go away. So I like to try anything even if I don’t feel confident about it.

Do you believe assisting is an important step in any hairdresser’s career? What do you look for in an assistant?

Assisting to me is crucial because you can learn so much on a one-on-one situation. If you are lucky enough to assist more than one person, you can take the ideas that suit you most and add to your own personal portfolio.

For part of your career, you built your brand with you and a partner. What was it like after the split and how did you find your own identity in that process

I remember when Christopher decided to go on his own, I truthfully considered not even staying in the industry and was thinking what else I could do because of my never-ending lack of confidence. It was my work friends around me that said I was mad and with their support and my family I stayed in the business. I remember my first big shows were so scary and I put my heart and soul into them. They were a huge success and I have never looked back.

We know that one of the things you find complete and utter joy in is dancing to house music while in nature. Why do you think it is important to find that thing that fills your soul? 

When I teach or I am on a stage I like to express to the audience we are in a career of always giving out whether it be to clients, your staff, colleagues, then we go home and do the same to our partners, children, friends and animals.

It is VERY important to give back to yourself and do what you love.

Yes mine is dancing to house music in the nature. I am actually very lucky because my partner knows all the parties worldwide and because he used to be a DJ all his friends are DJ’s so I actually go to music festivals as often as possible. We both love to travel, as well, to new places.

What would be one hair pick-me-up you have when going to burning man?

Taking an oil or shine spray is the best because your hair actually does not get dirty because the dust is alkali and this dust acts like dry shampoo. It needs moisture more than anything.

If you weren’t doing hair, what would you be doing?

I actually wanted to be a nutritionist, as I love to recommend natural things to people if they are not well, like ginger in hot water for nausea etc. I was not able to make the right grades for this profession so someone asked me why I wanted t do this and I replied that I love to help people. So that person – Christopher Doves mother -suggested hairdressing.

Biggest accomplishment of your career 

Biggest accomplishments is hard – I have been blessed with many. Here are a few.

• Leaving my family in England to come to the USA.
• Doing my first huge show on my own at the BTC Color show in New Orleans for Wella and getting a 10-minute standing ovation from the audience.
• Winning numerous awards in the industry, which I never thought I would like the Stylist Choice awards, Favorite educator and NAHA wins.

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…

I knew I was a hair nerd at my first week at Trade school learning Cosmetology.

Want to stalk Sonya? 

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Find me at music festivals all over the world, Burningman, restaurants and bars on my travels or at home as I love to drink red wine and eat great food.

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If you had to sum up your Hair Journey in 3 sentences or less, what would they be?

Oh, crap this is a hard first question.

My hair journey has been an ever transforming one. I entered the hair world at a weird point in my life, fast tracked to making the most money I ever had while earning my dream salon position- but being miserable in the environment I was in, to having the rug ripped from under me and having it all taken away.. And then, a sense of badassery/ freedom when I made it work and came out better than ever.

Why is education so important to you?

Education is huge, huge, HUGE to me! In life in general. I have always loved learning. I feel more well rounded when I’m more aware. I think there’s a sense of humility when you can admit you don’t know something, but try to find the answer. I always want to be surrounded by people better than me so I can grow. I think it’s important to have a team of cheerleaders around, but I also am not for the “yes man” mentality of this positive forever no matter what age we are in. I want someone to tell me “This is good but you probably should’ve done x, y & z to make this better.”  In this age of everyone being a winner and never wanting to offend anyone, I think it’s super important to remember constructive criticism and healthy competition is necessary for growth! There are fifty thousand salons on every street, there is room for everyone! It’s up to us to continually strive to be better and learn more and grow and build each other up to be better as an industry.  And we need education to make ourselves and the industry the best it can be.

What sparked your interest to becoming an educator?

I always knew I wanted to be involved in teaching in some capacity. I had a pretty terrible experience in cosmetology school for the most part as far as the people I was around. I had a few people that I considered friends, but for the most part, the best relationships I had were with my educators. I had a rough time in my personal life and I was super young! I started cosmo school when I was 17!! My educators went majorly above and beyond in my career and life and to this day continue to do so. I wouldn’t be where I am without that, and that’s what I hope to be to someone else. Not only that- if we are being transparent here, hairdressers tend to have a shitty reputation for being uneducated or stupid and I want to change that. I have never met a successful beauty professional that wasn’t extremely intelligent.

How has being an educator impacted your life as a stylist?

Being an educator has impacted my life as a stylist in a lot of different ways. Obviously I sacrifice my time behind the chair to be at the school, so I have to maneuver my schedule around to make it doable. (Thank god I work for myself or that would be a problem.)

I can say I definitely find myself thinking more about why I’m doing what I am when I’m working on my guests. Or taking photos of random things to show my students later. I try to involve myself in more things to be able to show my students the opportunities this industry offers, so I put myself in situations I normally wouldn’t, so I can bring it back to them. I’m a very awkward human, so most times I would rather not go to certain events or compete in certain things, but I don’t think it’s fair of me to encourage them to do those things if I don’t as well, you know?

Who are the Top 3 Stylists you would love to work with and why?

Oh gosh… another hard one damnit.

Well… Mona Baltazar – I’ve done makeup for a model of hers once- but every time I’m around her it’s such good times. I’d love to create with her for sure.

Traci Sakosits of course. I mean that’s a big obvious one for me.

And….. hmm…. Probably right now I’ve been super inspired by Mari de Monte I think her work is super rad and just her as person seems like someone I would vibe with for sure. Plus low key, want to steal all her jewelry and hats????

What is Zoie’s artistic style? What influences your work?

I hate this question!!! I feel like I want someone else to answer what my style is. I like anything that’s suitable honestly. It’s really not about me. My guest influences my work. I am fortunate to have a clientele that trusts me and my opinion, but at the end of the day – whether it’s a guest or a model, it’s their hair and they should love it. When I’m doing concepts for shoots, I try to keep shit simple and classic. I feel like everyone lately tries to out weird each other and it’s getting kind of old. Suitability is the most important.

What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of cosmetology school knowing what you know now?

Hmmm… The people you think are cool- usually aren’t, so trust your gut in who are good people that have your best interest at heart- not their own. Be mindful of where you put your energy.

What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?

Okay wow this is rude. So many! Most of my hair has been bad. But like I LOVED it at the time so it wasn’t bad at all… so punk rock. I don’t have any photos on my phone except one.. I didn’t have a phone back when I had bad hair!!! instagram wasn’t a a thing back then… it came out when I was in beauty school

Greatest accomplishment of your life so far?

The greatest accomplishment probably has been … hmm okay so ew, this is a really cheesy answer but it’s legit. Facing shit that scares me on a regular basis. I am a ball of nerves and anxiety and thinking the worst, and in January 2017 I made a promise to myself and set a goal that I wouldn’t let me being anxious hinder me from opportunities given to me in the hair world. Whether it was events, classes, modeling for stuff whatever- I forced myself to say yes… I cried and pep talked myself in car rides on the way to things, anxiety attacks mid hairshows in corners hoping nobody saw, and it honestly has changed my life. I’m still scared shitless to do things but I know somewhere in my dome that I’ll survive and it’ll be fine so I should shut up and Nike- just do it.

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…

I remembered people by their hair color formula not their name. Haha!

Want to stalk Zoie?

I don’t even have a website how lame am I? (Annie is sitting there laughing reading this because we have talked about this multiple times… my baaaad!)

Instagram! Everyone has instagram now right?

@zoierose

@ironandrosestudio

Oh and Target… you can always find me at Target.

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What one word describes how you felt when you found out you were a finalist for the BEA’s?

The one word that describes how I felt when I found out I was a finalist for the BEA’s was actually “conflicted”. I was graciously a semi finalist in two different categories this year for Wella Color Artist of the Year and for Editorial Styling.

After submitting 10 entries,  just knowing I had made the top 10 in TWO categories was mind blowing.

When I got the phone call that informed me of which category I had advanced in though,  I couldn’t help but feel like this entitled brat who was angry about getting a Corvette instead of a BMW for her sweet 16. I of course was still thrilled to be competing in the editorial category and honestly,  just competing at all. I just had a momentary millenial moment.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter competitions?

The advice I’d give other hair nerds entering competitions is to not compromise on your vision.  I mean this when it comes to the entire creative process. From interpreting themes,  to creating your mood/ vision board,  to building your team (if any), to finding the right models,  and executing the shoot and any post production. I’ve had the most success competing when I create what makes my heart happy.

How does competing help you as an artist?

Who are the Top 3 Stylists you would love to work with and why?

What is London’s artistic style? What influences your work?

I’ve always been inspired by science fiction/ fantasy imagery and stories.  I grew up watching and reading works in this genre like Brave New World, The Neverending Story, and the Labyrinth. Also anything bizzare, strange,  or unusual like side show circus performers,  insects,  bones … actually just anything that captivated me as child has found an influence over my creative work today.

Tell us all about the newly famous Swatch Wig we saw you recently sporting at the BEA’s…

I really just wanted to create something wonderfully weird and interesting to wear for the competition. Competing in character felt like a fun idea.  I deconstructed about 4 Wella Professionals color swatch books, bought a cheap ball cap and cross stitch plastic from Michaels,  and went to town with utility scissors and a hot glue gun.  Later I added some hair sheets underneath for a campy effect.  Competing in that head piece made me feel pretty impenetrable to nervousness.  In fact, I kind of felt like a hair super hero confidently battling it out in the hair wars.

What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of cosmetology school knowing what you know now?

Get your shit together, move to New York City, apprentice under a legend, and treat your body like a temple,  not a distillery.

What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?

I don’t think any of my hairstyles have ever been traumatic for me.  Even when I used to cut it back in high school without any training and with utility scissors. That’s not to say that my hot pink and black striped mohawk I rocked in beauty school wasn’t traumatic for my more conservative relatives though.

Greatest accomplishment of your life so far?

My greatest accomplishment in life so far was turning the tragedy of losing my mother to pancreatic cancer into the success of actions taken with the intention of making her proud.  Trying to honor her by making her proud taught me self love and pride in a way I had been struggling to find before.

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…

I knew I was a hair nerd in Beauty School when we learned that ammonium thioglycolate broke the disulphide bonds in hair and the sodium hydroxide solution called the neutralizer reformed them around a perm rod.  I thought this was the raddest thing and needed to know more about how chemicals changed human hair.

Stalk London?

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Behind the chair at Muze Salon in Manhattan

Scooting around the city on my purple Harley Davidson, and my favorite fitness studio NYSCLab in Chelsea.

The post London Michalske appeared first on The Hair Nerds.

Some of my biggest achievements so far is teaching other students how to braid and helping those around me who don’t fully understand like I do. As well as entering into the Beauty Envision Awards. The BEA contest is the first contest I’ve ever entered. To have made it into the top 3 was truly an honor.

Once I learned the changes Wella and Coty made for us students I was excited and grateful. I can’t thank everyone enough for making that dream possible!

My inspiration and passion tend to be one in the same. I am 1,000 percent passionate about all thing’s hair, makeup and nails! My passion drives my inspiration to where I can see what my result will look like long before the process is done.

My mentors are a huge inspiration for me! Especially all my mentors that I have gotten to know at Taylor Andrews. I would list them all but that would mean the entire staff! I could not be more grateful for the people around me that have shown me and helped me throughout my hairstylist journey thus far.

I’m super excited to see where it takes me in the future! I love what I do, and I do what I love! Think about it, if we all found that one thing, we are passionate about the world would be a different place.

What one word describes how you felt when you found out you were a finalist?

Passionate!

I say passionate because it covers most everything that I felt at the same time. From excited to nervous and everything in between. I couldn’t have been more surprised and grateful. For the rest of the week I was unable to control my excitement and gratitude! My passion for this industry is greater than even I fully understand. That is why I say passionate is the one word I would use! Passion is what drives the Beauty industry, and passion is what is going to take what we do and change the world. I believe everyone that is alive on this earth needs to find what they are passionate about. Passion can change the world and make a difference. It certainly has changed mine!

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter competitions?

My advice for someone wanting to enter a competition would be a few different things.

1. Don’t be scared to show what you can do! Our individuality is what makes us who we are and having that show in a hairstyle makes a ton of difference!

2. No matter how far you get in a competition you are a winner! In every competition there is a winner who takes the trophy home, but truly everyone who made the effort to enter are also winners!There is a lot of work and money that goes into entering a competition, but the work is worth the entry.What it takes to enter makes you a winner for having done it!

3. Don’t be afraid to let your ideas change. My entry turned out different than how I wanted it to, and for a minute I was unhappy with it. Knowing how much dedication I put into my work I came to love it and I learned a ton. The day you do the photo shoot, remember to be flexible. Your result might change a little but that does not make it wrong or bad! I had to learn that the hard way. No matter how you felt your work turned out or changed, love it. It’s your creation! I came to love how my entry for the BEA’S turned out! This picture is going to hang on my wall for the rest of my life! I love what I do, and that picture reminds me of the first contest that changed my career, life goals, and who I thought I could become! “Never give up on what you know you can do!” I came up with that quote and I challenge everyone to live by it.

4.If you decide to enter do not stop or give up! The work that is put into it will be the work that you get out of it! Give your entry your all,All your passion and love! It is your baby! And the money you put into it is worth it!

5. Learn and grow from it! I may not have won the BEA competition, but I learned so much met so many people in such a way that I went home feeling like a winner more than I thought possible! Be yourself! Don’t change because you got somewhere big! Stay who you are but let competitions change how you think of your work and everything you can learn!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years, I would love to be on the other side from where I was. I’d love to be the mentor helping the students fast track their carriers! Or at least at some point in time I hope to give the same chance to others that I was given! Because at the end of my career I want to be teaching and helping just as the people who have helped me! I want to give to others that which I have been given!

How does competing help you as an artist?

As an artist competing helps you push your limits and expand your creative mind. In our industry we must be able to learn and grow. Times change as well as hairstyles. Right now, all the bright colors are huge but soon color correction could be huge. We never fully know. Therefore, by competing you step outside of your comfort zone and enter into a state of freedom where you can create more than what you can imagine! Without creativity we are merely people who create what our clients imagine. But by competing you get to look into your own creativity! You get to create that which you can imagine. As well as play! There’s nothing better than seeing something you see in your mind come to reality! While I was preparing to go to California, I had the chance to test out different color combinations on swatches and played with color. By doing so, I came to better understand how Wella color works! Without being able to create that which we can imagine, can we truly create what our clients imagine? We are miracle workers! So why not show ourselves what we can do and make is to others can see it as well? If you haven’t entered into a competition find one you can now! Let yourself finally create that hairstyle you’ve been thinking about!

What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of cosmetology school knowing what you know now?

If I could have given myself advice, I believe it would have been before my first day in school. The reason I say that is because it took me about 8 months to get in school. I had a good job and had just gotten married when I started to consider cosmetology school. If I knew how big my passion is for this industry, I would have told myself to get to school so much sooner than I did! And to prioritize school more than when I first started! So, if anyone feels they might like doing hair, makeup, or nails, find a school you will love and go! It will change your life and work will disappear as you do what you love and love what you do!

Being brand new to the industry, what do you think the biggest struggle stylists are experiencing today?

The biggest struggle stylists are experiencing today is Social Media. Everything nowadays seems to revolve around how many followers and likes do you have. Post what looks the best. Hashtags and tagging people. We as a nation are now more on our phones and social media. That in person experiences are starting to decrease! As well as all the YouTube channels showing how to do this and how to do that at home. Social media is our competition for clients now a days and that is our biggest struggle.

What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?

I have been guilty of wearing the in between colors from a violet red to blond. I had the fire red-orange highlights with red violet. Here is a picture not too long before I lightened it again. So, I am very much guilty of wearing all the hair colors from red-violet to white blond. It was an interesting 8 months.

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…

I’ve known I was a Hair Nerd since I was little. I’ve always done hair for different things or just because I could on a Saturday. Before school I honestly thought that I would only ever be just a hair nerd, watching videos, scrolling through pictures, and trying different styles on my friends and family. The moment that I knew I needed to embrace how much of a hair nerd I am and go to school, was just after my husband and I got married. The day after we got back from our honeymoon I went and cut my hair off.  I’ve always had long hair below my shoulders. So to chop it was huge and scary! The crazy thing about that day was I could not stop watching how my stylist was cutting my hair. I literally could not take my eyes off of the shears. I was truly memorized. It was a couple months after that I started looking into schools and getting myself into Taylor Andrews Academy. Being a student at Taylor Andrews has truly changed my life! Being a hair nerd is who I am. I love it and live it every day!

Stalk Lexi…

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After finishing high school in the spring of 2018, I started my apprenticeship that October and my hope is to challenge my licensing exam in the fall of 2019.

My love of art on canvas growing up has transpired into my specializing in creative colour inspired by sceneries, such as sunsets, mountains and the ocean. Blending, custom formulations and placement is a major focus in my creations.

I have serviced high profile clients in makeup and hair for Edmonton’s Comic Con in 2016 and 2017. In addition to this, 2019 has been an exciting year with my work being published in 2019 issues of Confetti Bridal Magazine and Infringe Hair magazine. As well, I’ve had many opportunities to step outside of regular salon days and work on high fashion photo shoots with my friend and photographer Malorie Shmyr.

All of these accomplishments could not have been done without the help of my many mentors in the industry. I am incredibly grateful for all of these opportunities and most especially to Lauren Wilde who took me under her wing and gave me freedom to learn, create and flourish. Lauren is the owner of the salon I call home – Rose and Onyx Hair company in St. Albert, Alberta Canada.

My passion is fuelled by the opportunity to express feelings, emotions and sense of self through art. Every client is a blank canvas with an idea that reflects who they are and I strive to mirror that vision through my art.

What one word describes how you felt when you found out you were a finalist?

Honored

What advice would you give to someone wanting to enter competitions?

My advice would be: “Why not try it, you have nothing to lose. Even if you don’t qualify, hey you’ve got an awesome picture of your work you can use in your portfolio!”

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I see myself working in fashion being able to travel for work, combining my skills of hair and makeup, while still keeping my roots at my salon back home in St. Albert.

How does competing help you as an artist? 

Competing can help you by pushing your creativity to its fullest extent. It also opens doors to many networking opportunities with like minded people.

What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of your apprenticeship knowing what you know now?

Always trust her gut, stand by her work, and do not break the base.

Being brand new to the industry, what do you think the biggest struggle stylists are experiencing today?

The biggest struggle as stylists we face today is unrealistic expectations. If we could take black hair to platinum in one session, I would have done it on myself by now.

What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?

The most traumatic hairstyle I’ve had was bangs way too short, admittedly I cut them myself.

I knew I was a hair nerd when…

Both my dreams and nightmares started being about hair.

Stalk Mya…

Instagram

Facebook

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Did you know in my 3 years of competing in hair competitions I’ve received 1 pre qualifying recognition, 1 semi finalist nominations and 4 finalist nominations in creative, updo, styling, avant garde and texture categories? This sounds like I’m bragging, but…. actually… I can’t count the numbers of wins I have… wanna know why? Because that’s a big fat fcking 0…. nada, rien, ZIP!

With each look, a little bit more planning, a lot more money and even more of my heart goes into each Bobby pin, each curl set, each braid, color process, all of it. Every time getting a smidge further…. then.. it happens: The finalist are announced, the winners are released, and someone else is giving the acceptance speech I fantasized about giving…. (I’ve watched Selena enough… if you haven’t… go do that, then finish this article). You have no idea how much my heart hurts during close-ups at the Emmy’s, Grammys, etc of artists when they polite clap as someone else ugly cries their way through their speech. I fcking feel that sht in my bones. Then, when I’m away from private eyes, I drown myself in martinis, eat 3 donuts and sob to my bffl, husband or cat and vow to never compete again *sips martini*.

Then…. my inner dory kicks in (yes, our favorite little blue fish from finding Nemo) and I’m like “ooh, look… NAHA!” And I’m hitting up my photographer, pulling out my sketch book, and half drunkly start sketching out, what may be a new piece of my heart to break.

You see… yess.. I want to win that trophy, be publicly announced the “best of____________” But….. That’s the tunnel vision goal. The vision is based off a dream, a small smidge of inspiration that bloomed into a concept and transitioned into a look. You see my final result, but you never experience the growth the process gave me. Whether it was pulling inspiration from a stained glass window, or the “ah ha!” Moment that came from learning how to explain my mood/vision from my brain to the photog… THAT is the panoramic big picture. That is what I crave… THAT is what WE really compete for… that mutha fckin growth. The ability to look at our entires past, compare it to our current and say “girl… you’ve def grown!!”, “babe, You’re so much better!” And even more so… “dang… I learned SO much!!”. THAT is the competition!

Now… again, don’t get me wrong, imma still ugly cry, order the martini and eat things that my spin instructor will punish me for tomorrow… (I see you BG)…. but my dear friend Dama (@hairbydamaris ) literally pulled at my heart strings when she said

“The thing about art is, no competition can take away the talent you possess.”

And that was soooo fckin real to me.

So babe, whether you’re competing with a hashtag, spending thousands of dollars and strategizing or dming me and asking me where tf to start…. TRY!! Do it! Push yourself to try something new! Elevate your creativity, your craft, your photog skills.. all of it!! Submit for NAHA or BEA’s, add the hashtag, enquire with Charlie Price about his next beauty underground… DO IT!! Because as much as the public announcement feels like the obvious win to add to your IG profile (or apocalyptic heartbreak) … the real win comes with the growth. YOU are better. YOU are the artist. YOU earned it! So take a step back… admire your work… and be fcking proud… because you’re so fcking brave for pushing yourself, trying, doing.. and SUBMITTING!! Push yourself so hard.. that when the win finally comes…. you acknowledge it was just PART of your panoramic win.

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