What is your occupation? 

I am a hairstylist. I have an extensive list in terms of job experience. Throughout my career I have always maintained a job employed by in a salon without always restricting my work to inside those salons. For example, styling weddings for my personal clients on site, various photoshoots including print and television ads, editorial work, multiple runway gigs, including New York Fashion week, participation in competitions (group and individual), even an annually recurring international gig and more. I don't believe any hairstylist should claim they are no longer a student just because they have obtained a license. I still enjoy taking new classes on occasion. In the past I was an educator as well. For the last 10 years I have worked strictly with organics, primarily, OCS, O Way and O&M. In the salon if I have to pick a favorite, cutting hair takes the cake. I would never want to limit myself to strictly cutting. I love working with all textures and if I ruled the world no one would ever chemically alter their own natural and individual texture. However, to each their own. I see beauty and benefit in all that is out there. I love the challenge of the "unruly" head of hair and finding the way it wants to be so it can be as easy as possible to manage by the client at home. I need variety and so I am not lacking experience with color and the various techniques from basic all over color to multidimensional, balayage, etc. I can't think of a styling method I haven't had to pull out at one time or another. From wash and go, casual and polished blowouts and iron work to formal styling and even avante garde and fantasy work.

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

Why MBH? Easy answer, I LOVE O Way. That company has my heart hook, line and sinker. I know my sister-in-law has a few friends who visit your Atwood location and have spoken highly of their experiences. Lastly, the hard truth is that I am new to the area and for that reason I am seeking an established business that can help feed the roots I want to set here.

how long have you been a beauty operator?

20 years

What is your favorite MBH shop (or beauty industry) memory?

I have so many over the years and I can't pick one overall. The best ones compete for vastly different reasons. I'm gonna say that what stands out in this moment is witnessing the impact I have had on the small scale, individually, with my now former clientele. Few things bring out how appreciated and valued one is like having to say goodbye. This job choice hasn't always been easy but its mine and I love it, even after 20 years. I feel lucky to have picked a path, as a silly teenager no less, that I still enjoy. Though less frequently, I still have experiences and meet people who that surprise me.

What do you love most about doing hair?

The creative outlet!

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

I always love looking at Goldie Hawn (especially in the 70s), Juliette Lewis’ hair currently and I melt to the core when I see Jillian Taylor on stage.

What is your favorite or most used beauty product?

O Way Nurturing Drops and AG Dry Lift

What do you love most about Madison/the Midwest?

Madison, it reminds very much of the neighborhood in Baltimore that I most recently was working.

What is another favorite local business of yours?

Can't say....yet.

Why is receiving beauty services important to you?

Generally, in my experience, when someone feels good, they interact with the world around them in a more positive way.

What does “better beauty culture” mean to you?

Find happiness in the skin you were born into. Being honest with oneself and those you encounter. Know your limits and appreciate others’ choices in their daily “presentation”. If the world were monochromatic and visually predictable, I may ask “What’s the point?”. Variety is absolutely the spice of life. On the flip, knowing you’ll see a rose when you seek it…I appreciate one who has a look, knows it and holds on. All said, better beauty culture is appreciation for all the jazz this world has to offer and avoiding prejudice.

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