What is your occupation? 

Beauty Operator - specializing in hair and makeup. Love anything to do with color! 

How did you or why did you pursue a position at MBH?

I was looking for a change, from running my own salon. After talking with a dear friend, the opportunity arose, and I decided to go for it. I’m looking forward to being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about beauty inside and out as I am. I’m even more excited to learn new things from all the creative minds I’ll be working with. 

How long have you been a Beauty Operator?

I’ve been in the industry for over 17 years. Working behind the chair, licensed for 14+ years now. 

What is your favorite MBH shop memory?

One just happened recently that made my heart proud. To see fellow operators formulate a new color that none of us had really experimented with. It made me feel so great that stylists were coming together and take time out of their day to help me with a formula that had never been used or made before. The support that went with all of that, along with the excitement of the results was so heart warming to me. I’ve worked in a few salons in my years of being a hairstylist, and I have to say I haven’t had that kind of rally for the team feeling in ever. It’s great to know that people here care, not only about the guests in our chair, but about each other, and our success as well. 

What do you love most about doing hair and makeup?

My favorite aspect of providing hair and makeup services is the combination of self love and self care coming together. When someone sees the results after they’ve had their hair or makeup is finished, they walk differently, hold their heads up high, and you see all that self esteem flood into them. It’s great! I get to make people feel good about themselves every day. It’s a dream. 

What is your current style icon/inspiration or favorite role model?

My style icons are Diana Ross and Janelle Monáe. 

What is your favorite or most used beauty product?

I’m all about hydration. Whether it’s skin care, hair care, body care....hydrate hydrate hydrate. I live for skin hydration boosters that can be added to your moisturizing routine. Along with leave-in conditioners. I feel they are under utilized. Leave-in conditioners don’t have to be heavy or weigh your hair down, but there are so many benefits. They protect against heat styling, keep your hair hydrated, and can help with all over manageability of your hair strands. (Think less frizz, detangling, & extra softness). 

What is another favorite local business of yours?

Savanna Beauty Supply. I get all my personal beauty supplies from her shop. It’s fantastic! 

Why is receiving beauty services important to you?

Having the opportunity to receive any type of beauty service is such a luxury. Not all of us get to experience that on a regular basis. So those that can, it’s so nice to be able to do something for yourself that can help you feel content. Even if you’re someone who gets something done once or twice a year: a pedicure, a deep conditioning treatment with a blowout, a whole new color for your hair, these are all things we do to make ourselves feel good, to show up for yourself. We all want to feel good. Especially about ourselves. When you look good, you feel good. When you do something nice for yourself, you feel good. We can all sit here and say looks aren’t important, they do, however, allow us to show our potential, to escape reality, to become who you’ve always wanted to be. It’s also fun to pamper yourself by taking time for you. Making a hair appointment or nail appointment can really make you feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. 

What does “better beauty culture” mean to you?

Yes, we are in an industry that revolves around external looks, but better beauty culture takes that to another level by being about more than just outward beauty. Being able to give back to the community we live in. Connect people to each other. Connect people to themselves. It takes what we think of beauty, and expands the concept. Inside, outside, beside, and underneath - all sides of beauty. Along with revealing what is beautiful within ourselves, each other, and where we live. 

Beauty means different things to different people, so to share in a community of people that are open minded, ready to learn new things, and be better to ourselves and others is the epitome of a better beauty culture. 

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