Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Johnson.
Madeleine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a 35-year-old German, born and raised in Mainz. I had visited Los Angeles a few times to see my cousin and decided to move here myself when I was 27. Working and living on the west side introduced me to a Santa Monica man who later became my wonderful husband. Frank and I welcomed our beautiful daughter Sky three years ago. This little girl is our blessing and my everything.
I was dedicated to my work in Germany, assisting the mayor of my city in his government office. Truthfully, I had always had a quiet love affair with hair. My sister Yvonne is a hairstylist and I helped out on the weekends at the salon where she worked. My love for extensions started when I was about 20 years old after I went from a short bob to a long full mane. In addition, I worked as a hair model for various hair shows that included extensions.
After living and working in Los Angeles for three years, and with my husband’s encouragement and support, I decided to follow my dream of being a hairstylist. I enrolled in Santa Monica College and proceeded to obtain my license.
Shortly after graduating from SMC, I started assisting at RamirezTran salon and met the talented Violet Teriti, a well-known celebrity extensions artist. I was drawn to her outgoing personality and artful approach. She has taught me so much in my career and I am forever grateful to her.
Hair by Violet Salon in Beverly Hills gave me a home for my art, and now I enjoy the most amazing clients from all over the US. I just love how extensions can really transform someone’s look and youthful glow. It’s as effective as surgery, but without the needles, the knives! Women with short hair can shift their style with long locks, or can simply add extensions to add extra volume. It’s remarkably transformative, with less daily styling – and a lot more smiling!
Has it been a smooth road?
I think if one has high aspirations, the bumps in the road will definitely present themselves now and again. Building a regular clientele is ongoing as a hairstylist so that’ a recurring challenge.
In my personal life, I couldn’t be more fulfilled being a mother, but there are days when it is a struggle to be completely available for my family AND my clients. So finding the perfect balance is an ongoing struggle.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Extensionsbeverlyhills – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
In short, I am trying to enhance what a woman already owns. I want to assist my clients in achieving a slightly upgraded version of themselves – help them feel positive and confident as they juggle their various roles of career woman, mother, mentor, partner, and lover. I also want to reduce the amount of time that each client needs to fuss over herself, so she has more time for important priorities. I want to help her feel more youthful and energetic by adding that fullness back to her hair – and thus, her attitude! It’s such a simple concept, but my clients actually FEEL better about themselves the moment they get up from my chair. I swear I see immediate changes in their posture and confidence!
There are many techniques in the extensions world, but my personal favorite is using Microbeads. I use one “I” tip extension and individually secure it with a copper bead. No heat, no glue, and as a result no damage to your own hair. At Hair by Violet Salon we only use Russian hair extensions, which are healthy and long-lasting. In addition, the quality of the hair means it can be repositioned when a client has new growth – this prolongs the look, and curbs the extra expense that other processes demand. I also like tape-in extensions. They lay flat against your head and are fast to apply and remove. You have to make sure though to come in every 6-8 weeks to get them redone.
I think what sets me apart is my technique, attention to detail, and my tough love when it comes to giving my client’s hair exactly what it needs – not what InTouch magazine tells her it needs. It’s not about the trends for me – it’s about taking what gifts you have and turning up the volume to highlight its best version.
Microbead extensions are very gentle on your natural hair. It lasts between 2-6 months depending on self-care and how fine the natural hair is. I take the extensions out at the end of that period and reinstall them, thereby preserving the hair for as long as it stays healthy. The hair can be colored if a new direction is desired as well. I have also studied as a colorist, and finding the right tone for my extensions is definitely something that sets me apart.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love how open and friendly people are in our city and how many cultures seamlessly interact. Naturally, being from a landlocked nation, I love the beach and palm trees! When I drive to work in the winter, I can see snow-capped mountains ahead of me and a glimpse of the ocean in my rearview mirror. What a treat!! The nature inspires me, as well as this thriving metropolis full of great restaurants, amazing concerts, lots of art, fantastic museums, and diverse street life.
What do I like least? It’s too far from Germany!! 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: www.extensionsbeverlyhills.com
- Phone: 3106997726
- Email: madeleine.johnson.is@gmail.com
- Instagram: extensionsbeverlyhills
Image Credit:
My photo with my daughter (photographer: Hallman Ray)
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