Jennifer’s Journey to Become a Hair Stylist

by Jennifer , Level 1 Stylist

Hi! I’m Jennifer, and you may have recognized me assisting the talented stylists here at [salon] 718, but now I’m excited to announce that you’ll be seeing me behind the chair.

My hair styling journey and career is just beginning! I am from Atlanta, GA where I graduated from Georgia State with a Bachelor’s degree in 2012, and after working in various IT and corporate positions, I found that sitting behind a desk simply wasn’t for me. Although I’m grateful for all that those roles taught me, I felt that I was meant for a more customer service oriented, hands-on career. A career where I could positively impact others by making them feel good about their hair and ultimately, themselves. Even in school, when I would change my major every semester or so, I would say to myself, and my friends (while styling their hair): “I should have gone to cosmetology school!” 

Fast forward to 2019, I’d been living in NYC for 2 years and found myself once again browsing all of the cosmetology schools in the area during my downtime at work and finally worked up the courage to reach out for more information. Once I toured Arrojo, I was sold. While in school, I found out that [salon] 718 was hiring assistants and knew I wanted to get as much real-life experience as possible before I graduated. Working under the [salon] 718 stylists Saturdays and Sundays allowed me to learn topics beyond the curriculum in school and I am so appreciative of that!

Even in 2020, when the salon was closed, the [salon] 718 team would hold zoom meetings and classes where I was able to learn color techniques in my home! I was grateful again when I was asked to come back to work in early July when the salon re-opened. Arrojo re-opened in August, I graduated in September 2020, and was licensed in February 2021.

Since then, I have been assisting stylists and attending weekly classes in the [salon] 718 education program. Assisting the stylists at [salon] 718 has allowed me to watch, learn, and ask questions about the many techniques that are me to learn and asked questions about the many techniques that can be used to cut, color, and style hair of all lengths, textures, and density. Working so closely with stylists has given me the opportunity to find which techniques make sense and I believe will work for me when working with my own clients. 

The education program is in addition to assisting. Every Monday, a senior stylist hosts a class on a specific cut, color, or styling technique. In these classes we work with mannequins or models, are quizzed, and given homework for the next week. My favorite classes and those that I believe have been the most beneficial to me are Color Theory with Christine and Consultations 101 with Jonathan!

My favorite things to do in the salon are always changing as I learn more, but I believe the finishing style after your service is just as important as the cut & color. My goal as a stylist is to find the perfect haircut or color to enhance your natural features in the chair so that you feel confident and at your best outside of the salon. I want to understand your lifestyle and hair care at home to ensure you have the hair that fits into your routine! I want my clients to leave the salon with at least one tip, trick, or product that will make their life easier outside of the salon. 

Book this rising talent at our Fort Greene location on Dekalb Avenue on Wednesdays at Sundays and at our Clinton Hill location on Myrtle Ave on Thursdays.