Professional Hair Stylist Interview with Jules of Tampa, Florida
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are self taught hairstylist?
A: 25 years ago I attended a beauty college here in Tampa, Florida. I am a cosmetologist that specialises in Organic color, cuts and up- dos. The first haircut I ever designed was on my dolls head when I as 5 years old. :)
Q: Did you always long to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a hair stylist?
A: I am a born artist. It comes completely innate with me.
Q: Do you think going to school for hairstyling is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Absolutely! However I would like to see the schools teach and prepare the students more on how to be a professional in terms of how they interact with the client. But yes, educate yourself as much as you can!! Knowledge is power!!!
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: When I do a makeover. And I get a lot of them. So it’s always fun, and very rewarding.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a hair stylist?
A: After all these years and experience, I would have to say that what surprises me the most is the lack of professionalism between the stylist and client. There are huge egos happening in this industry. And for me, it’s always been about servicing the client from the inside out. Not complaining and talking all about myself like I see happening a lot in salons.
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Beauty begins from the inside and I feel its my job to insightfully look into a client and their needs to create and assist toward the outer beauty result.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: I use all organic products. It’s important to me that I am exposing my clients to the most healthy products that I trust won’t hurt them now or in the future.
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective hair care tips that you have, that are really important?
A: Your mane reflects a lot, so just love it. Love it and nurture it as you would any other part of you that you want to look and feel healthy. Trim it often and keep it clean, conditioned and strong. Vitamins like biotin are great for the hair. Get a great haircut. It makes all the difference. Because when your hair is cut properly,it makes it so you don’t have to work so hard to look nice. Get some dimensional color. It keeps the hair young and shiny.
Q: What is the biggest hair care dont’s?
A: Heat!!! Be careful with using the flat irons. I know clients that flat iron their hair 2 and 3 times a day!! That is hair suicide.
Q: Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a hair care product? If so, what happened?
A: After years of being exposed to ammonia in hair color, I had a complete immune system crash, lung infections and inflammation from the toxins and thought that I was going to have to give up my career. That is when I discovered Organic Color Systems and now my health is restored and I am happier than ever, back to work and loving every minute!
Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with hair color?
A: When they do their own hair at home. I don’t completely blame them as I feel they are being manipulated by the media into believing that they can just run to the store , buy a box of color and look like the model on TV. I feel it’s just not feasible to achieve that kind of dimensional color without the service of a professional color specialist.
Q: What’s the worst thing a woman can do to her hair?
A: Heat will hurt your hair if over exposed. Heat from curling and flat irons and too much sun exposure. Also be gentle when combing out wet hair. Don’t yank and rip thorough it when its in a vulnerable state as if it is wet.
Q: What’s the one haircare tool you simply can’t live without?
A: My intuition. :)
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the hair industry right now?
A: Trends are ephemerel. My goal is always to bring out the natural flow of a clients beauty. I want to make sure that when they walk out of my salon, they can recreate the style I created for them and work with their own hair.
Q: Do average girls needs to splurge on high-priced hair care products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: I trust that if i give a client a good cut they wont need that much product unless they have a special event happening. Then they would need a holding spray or styling product to guarantee it’s staying power. And then of course I always recommend an organic product.
Q: Do you have any general tips/tricks for extending color between visits?
A: Rinse in cool water. Don’t shampoo everyday unless you have too and even then just re-wet the hair and style. The sun wreaks havoc on hair color so protect it as much as you can.
Q: Can anyone go red or do you feel that color works best with certain skin tones/hair types?
A: Anyone can be any color be it blondes or redheads. However,its up to me as a professional to know which tones to use and how to dimensionalise these tones within the hair to bring out the natural glow of a clients skin.
Q: Do you feel anyone can go blond or should the look be reserved for certain skin tones/hair types?
A: Again, it would depend on the tones and degree of blonde used for each individual client.
Q: Which hairstyles do you tend to do the most often? Which hairstyles are the most popular?
A: The Bob and all its variations are always fun. For long hair it’s important to create layers for movement and framing the face.
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: My clients call me Dr. Jules because with my experience, intuition, and knowledge I have the ability to heal anyone’s hair.
Q: Would you share some of your future goals, your life motto, any words of wisdom that get you by in life and professional career?
A: I retain my goals as a constant state to inspire.When my clients leave my chair, its essential for me to know that they are loved. However they felt and looked when they first walked in matters not to me more then the result of my inspiration. And that is for them to know that they are loved and appreciated by me and they hopefully will feel this way for themselves.
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring hair stylists just starting out?
A: Learn to be selfless. Good service is about the client’s needs first. Educate yourself as much as possible. Find mentors, ask questions, stay quiet, watch and learn!!And remember, be gentle with yourself. In the beginning it’s hard. You will cut your fingers and burn your hands. In the beginning you may make a client cry from a bad cut or color. Be persistent and don’t give up!