Today we’d like to introduce you to Aubryanna DiStefano.
Hi Aubryanna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in West Hollywood, California, I was always surrounded by glam and beauty, along with the arts. You could find me nose-deep in Cosmopolitan magazine from a young age, seeing what new trends and hair Hollywood was doing. I myself have super textured, curly hair, and so from a young age, I always played around with different techniques to style it. And I was always influenced by things I would see on TV. I would beg my mom and dad to style my hair before school every day and then eventually start doing it myself in middle school. I got my first Brazilian blow dry in 7th grade, and then shortly after that, I gave myself my first bang trim. Which consequently turned into a little side hustle in my middle school bathroom, giving my classmates the famed emo bang.
Throughout high school and college, I took art history and photography along with journalism, and although they are all creative outlets, I was super unhappy inside of a classroom and felt confined and limited. It wasn’t until my mom suggested that I go to cosmetology or culinary school just to get something under my belt, and eventually, I could go back to college and make a solid income. Plus, cooking and hair have always been something I’ve been interested in. I ended up following the path of cosmetology and haven’t looked back.
My journey led me to discover the color theory and my curiosity with the chemistry and artistry behind hair color. And that has led me to travel around the world, work under some of the most incredibly talented and kind people, and be given opportunities I couldn’t even dream of in beauty school.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As warm as this industry can be, it can also be very cutthroat. In order to make it in some of the top salons, you really have to work hard and prove your worth to people who have been in the industry for far longer and have miles of more experience than you. My biggest advice to anyone in the beginning stages of this industry is to persevere and know that the first five years are always the hardest. A beauty school teacher told me that, and it stuck with me and kept me going through the hardest times. We all get into this industry to have creative freedom and flexibility in our schedules, but it still takes time, dedication, sacrifice, and effort to get to the point where you have that freedom you desire. But it is so worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would consider myself a color specialist and, in more detail, a lightening and blonding specialist. My favorite thing to do is mimic what the sun would naturally do to anyone’s color. Think beach hair, the color your hair would turn to as a baby who spent a lot of time in the sun or salt water. I love baby lights, but I equally love balayage and a chunkier highlight as well. Nothing makes me happier than dimensional, bright, beautiful colors. I pride myself in low maintenance hair color that my clients don’t have to come into my chair every 6 to 8 weeks, rather every 4 to 6 months. Sometimes, I see someone once a year. I think it’s a tragedy to be tied to the chair. You should be able to look in the mirror, every phase of your growth, and still appreciate the beauty, not feel desperate to get back to me. I also love being able to re-create my client’s natural color once those pesky grays grow in but also incorporate those grays, or as I call them, “natural platinums” and into a color that makes them look almost like highlights, so the grow out is less harsh.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I was fortunate enough to know the legend Tracey Cunningham from a young age. After a few years on the floor at a small boutique salon in Venice, she reached out to me and asked me to come in and assist her to further my education after attending Toni And Guy. Although I learned a lot from Toni And Guy, nothing compares to what you learn after school from an experienced & knowledgeable mentor. The way Tracey teaches, her patience, and obviously her undeniable talent stick with me to this day. And I hope to influence my assistant the same way she did to me. I would suggest anyone find a mentor who is kind and hard-working, as well as inspirational. Someone whose work reflects the kind of work you would like to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: Abodehair.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/aubsy
Image Credits
@cienalennon
