Interview With Pro Hair Stylist Melissa Geriah Of Malibu, CA
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 was born with a natural ability, it runs in my family.
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are self taught hairstylist?
A: I attended two different schools, Vidal Sassoon and West Valley Cosmetology.
Q: Do you think going to school for hairstyling is important to excel in the business later on?
A: Absolutely.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: Seeing your creation come to life and a smile on your clients face.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a hair stylist?
A: Some of the things people confide to me.
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: Simple and elegant.
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: Alterna Caviar, Tony & Guy, Swartz Kopf and Goldwell
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective hair care tips that you have, that are really important?
A: Don’t overlap and always check your work.
Q: What is the biggest hair care dont’s?
A: Use color treated shampoo and conditioner for when you have color treated hair. Once again don’t overlap your color.
Q: Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a hair care product? If so, what happened?
A: I have done highlights on someone who told me they had nothing else done when in fact they had lots done including chemical straightening, the end result was major breakage.
Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with hair color?
A: They try to do it them selves.
Q: What’s the worst thing a woman can do to her hair?
A: Bleach it constantly.
Q: What’s the one haircare tool you simply can’t live without?
A: My combs.
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the hair industry right now?
A: I don’t like the “scene” look at all. I like beach curls and fringed bangs.
Q: Do average girls needs to splurge on high-priced hair care products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: That really depends on which brands your using.
Q: Do you have any general tips/tricks for extending color between visits?
A: Color Shampoo.
Q: Can anyone go red or do you feel that color works best with certain skin tones/hair types?
A: No, I believe it only works with certain skin tones/ hair types.
Q: Do you feel anyone can go blond or should the look be reserved for certain skin tones/hair types?
A: No, I can speak from personal experience blonde only works with certain skin tones/ hair types.
Q: Which hairstyles do you tend to do the most often? Which hairstyles are the most popular?
A: Blow outs, usually something manageable.
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: Professional, talented, great with color & cuts, and a good personality.
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: Do what you love and you will succeed!
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring hair stylists just starting out?
A: Absorb all the knowledge you can before going out on the floor.
Visit Melissa’s Oracle Salon homepage and her MySpace profile.