let me introduce myself
I’m so excited to finally be launching “Memoirs of a Hairstylist,” as it has been something that I’ve dying to create for all you for the longest time! I hope you’re excited and love all the information I’m about to share with you. So here it goes!
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I wanted to begin this journey by first introducing myself, giving you a little background history and how I got to where I am today! So hello, my name is Shelby Alexandra and I am the proud owner of Sugar Plum Salon in Lake Forest, California. I am married to my better half, Sebastian, and we have four fluffy bunnies [Olive, Justin, Pablo and Petunia] that we love so dearly and you may be hearing about them quite often. I have been a hairdresser for almost 12 years and I can honestly say that I love my career more now than ever! I began at the early age of 15 when I started Beauty School. Beauty School is rough guys, and for any of you aspiring hairdressers out there I promise you it only gets easier from there so don’t give up!
In 2010 I was a licensed Hairstylist and just beginning in my very first salon, Toni & Guy. Most of you may have heard of this corporate company and know of its incredible reputation! I was with Toni & Guy for seven years before I decided to embark on my newest adventure [we’ll go into details later!]. However, during the seven years with them I was able to Educate not only new hairdressers but hairdressers who had been in the industry for many, many years. I also was able to dabble in management and retail coordination where I learned all the ways to run a business. I was one of Toni & Guy Mission Viejo’s top Hair Cutting Stylists and Retail Salesman, and absolutely proud to say so! I had accomplished all of my goals within the company and had succeeded so much, but I had felt that there was more for me out there. I decided to take a leap and in April of 2017 I left Toni & Guy.
Over the last two years of being on my own behind the chair and have had the opportunity to work with some of the most incredible people I have ever met! I have been able to jump back into color and learn from many very respected hairstylists locally and out of state. Education is so important to me and is something I always strive to do more of when i can!
Then, my biggest dream emerged in October 2018 when I opened up Sugar Plum! I can’t even begin to tell you how exciting it was to put it all together. From drawing out the space, to designing and shopping for all the pieces to create this perfect homey space… it was such a dream come true! I was able to work with my incredible contractor who had the most amazing patience [trust me, he needed it!] and for all the support I had from all of you. A special thank you though to my wonderful husband, and family, who worked with me and helped me through the whole process from start to finish! I can never express the amount of gratitude I have to have been able to accomplish this goal in such a short period of time.
Now with all that being said, let us get into what this blog is going to be all about!
In my 12 years of Hairdressing I have been asked by so many guests in my chair about how to maintain their hair, what the best products are, and tips and tricks for styling. Well I have listened to all of your concerns and have decided to create something free and just for you! I felt that as a Hairstylist it is my job to help educate you on all things hair, whether it be simple conversations about how often you should get your haircut to more complex concerns such as what hair colors work best for you or what techniques suite the look your trying to achieve. So in “Memoirs of a Hairstylist” you will be receiving info on topics about all things hair, so that you will be able to keep your mane happy and healthy!
Are you excited?! Because I am absolutely stoked to take my years of knowledge and share it all with you beauties!
Please stay tuned for next week’s blog post and feel free to give me some topic ideas in the comments!
xoxo,
shelby alexandra
photography by heather tartaglia
