Conversations with the Inspiring Kayleigh Irene

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayleigh Irene.

Kayleigh, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I spent my life thriving in artistic learning much more than the traditional structured way we are taught throughout school. I never lacked a thirst for knowledge, I just wanted to pick things up as I found out about them, which is why art always felt like it made sense to me. There is never one single way to do something. I had never looked into hair as a carreer, but I still enjoyed coloring my best friends’ hair every color of manic panic we could get our hands on when we were kids. I struggled through a few college classes that didn’t grasp my interest in any way while working in retail, which also gave me literally no joy and no financial freedom to enjoy the things I loved outside of work. I was in a pretty terrible car accident in 2011 and I couldn’t afford to pay for the cast I needed to mend my broken arm. That was my breaking point. I knew I needed to sit down and work out how I was going to create success and happiness in my life. My mom was actually the person that pushed me to follow my passion in Hair and finally go to cosmetology school. FINALLY, I had found schooling that I cared about. I wanted to know every detail from biology to balayage, and I felt confident, which was a huge change for me. I knew hair was going to be a successful career endeavor for me because I wanted to shout out from the rooftops that I was a hairdresser, I wanted to get my hands into every head around me, and I wanted to be the best at it that I could be. It turns out I’m a career artist; I worked out how to be successful at something that I enjoyed (and that gives back to others) and I couldn’t be happier.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
To be completely honest, my career has been a dreamy series of events which I can completely attribute to the second home I have found within my Salon. I found The Local Salon after my dentist mentioned his stylist had opened up her own shop. I looked it up on Instagram and was immediately drawn in. I had assisted briefly at a salon in Beverly Hills that produced beautiful hair, but left feeling drained and uninspired at each days end. I reached out to Rosie (the owner of The Local) who offered to meet with me. Walking into the space should have been intimidating, I was a young stylist, completely new to the industry and the women and space were cooler than I could put into words here. Rosie immediately talked to me like a friend, and eventually offered me a station two days a week which felt so surreal. The space was magical, I felt like the people surrounding me completely supported my growth as an artist, and cheered me on every step of the way. I have never felt alone in this industry, I was surrounded by incredible hairdressers who would take the time to teach me when I asked questions and guide me when I was dealing with issues in my business I had never faced. Our Salon has grown from 7 to a community of 13 incredible stylists and that warm and fuzzy feeling I felt when I started has carried on with the other stylists. I think making sure people feel like part of a community harnesses more freedom in creativity, and in turn means they have more confidence and success in their craft. I feel that hairdressing instills this idea that their needs to be a competition to be the best, which in turn can make the industry feel alienating. The Local created an air of collaborative beauty, which supported me and I will do my best to make sure every stylist I meet feels that same support. Finding a environment that feels comfortable to you is so important. I think the idea of joining the hottest and trendiest Salon on Instagram will give you success, and it might… but find your second home and the place that supports you as an individual. Your success will feel so much more meaningful knowing the people around you helped you get there.

What should we know about Kayleigh Irene Hair? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Working as a hairstylist, I very quickly learned that transformation was very important to me, so color definitely plays the strongest roll in my career. I have become known for my bright vivid colors and full transformations, it’s so fun seeing someone walk in the salon one way and leave with a completely new look and sparkle in their eye. You can walk in with your natural color and leave with just a few simple highlights and a new cut and feel like a completely different person, it doesn’t take leaving with mermaid hair to feel like you have a completely new look. I don’t take being trusted with someone’s hair lightly, it is a huge part of our identity. Hair is the only thing we wear every single day so making sure that you look in the mirror and see yourself is so important. I am so proud to be an advocate for people’s own brand of beautiful, every single client that sits in my chair receives a cut and color completely custom to them. I have clients of every walk of life, and it is so important to me to create a communal safe space. I am proud of the community I have built behind the chair and the fact that when my clients leave they know they’ve gained not just a new look, but a new friend.

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I LOVE podcasts! They’re such an incredible resource to have, I currently love the “Hairbrained Conversations” podcast with Gordon Miller for salon stories, NPR’s podcast “How I Built This” which is so inspiring, and as the daughter of an LAPD homicide detective I am obsessed with true crime and listen to “My Favorite Murder” for the perfect balance of laughter and darkness. I just finished “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero and am about to pick up her finance book, every woman should read these books. It’s amazing to hear and read stories of other people’s success. Nobody gets to the top of their game without some struggles and you feel less alone in your frustrations realizing every industries great hit some bumps along the road.

Pricing:

• Full balayage service: $195 and up
• Haircut: $90
• Fantasy colors: $100 an hour

Contact Info:

• Address: The Local Salon
  5229 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601
• Website: [email protected]
• Phone: 818-763-2977
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Instagram.com/kayleighirenehair
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kayleigh-Irene-Hair-645485538962141/

Image Credit:
Kayleigh Irene and @heathercolemusic

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