Today we’d like to introduce you to Mitchell Cantrell.
Hi Mitchell , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and originally moved to Los Angeles to study film with the dream of becoming a cinematographer. I was drawn to the power of storytelling and wanted to help bring creative visions to life. With the encouragement of my family, I enrolled in trade school to learn a skill that would allow me to pay for my film tuition and support me financially. I chose cosmetology with the idea that I could work on set doing hair while pursuing my passion for film.
Halfway through cosmetology school, I fell in love—not only with the craft of hairstyling, but with the beauty industry as a whole. I was inspired by the artistry, the community, and the vast creative opportunities the industry had to offer. That’s when I made the decision to pursue a career in beauty full-time.
Early in my journey, I was invited to join the artistic team at Ergo Styling Tools as an educator. I spent nearly six years traveling across the country—teaching in salons, leading classes at trade shows, and even working in Alaska and Canada. Although I didn’t pursue film, my love for working on set never faded. I eventually transitioned into the editorial world, assisting top hairstylists between Los Angeles and New York.
That path led me to The Wall Group, who ultimately signed me as an artist. Today, I work bi-coastally between LA and New York, contributing to fashion weeks, red carpet glam, beauty campaigns, editorial shoots, and more—continuing to live out my creative vision through hair.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of my biggest struggles was moving to a new city as a teenager and navigating life without any structure or oversight. As a freelancer, I’ve never had a traditional nine-to-five or a boss to guide my day, so I had to build my own schedule and routines from the ground up. That kind of freedom is powerful, but it also left room for inconsistency in my workflow, time management and scattered focus. In the past years, I also dealt with overspending, which added to the challenge of managing a self-directed career. Learning how to stay disciplined and focused without external structure has been one of the most important and ongoing lessons in my journey.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a professional hairstylist and educator in the beauty industry, known for my work across red carpets, fashion shows, and beauty campaigns. My specialty lies in textured and curly hair, and I’ve built a reputation for my ability to create elevated, camera-ready looks for high-profile events and editorial settings. Alongside my styling work, I’m also a dedicated educator—teaching both in salons and on larger platforms. I’ve had the honor of educating over a thousand hairstylists across the U.S. and Canada. What truly sets me apart is my unique approach to education and artistry—blending technical expertise with a deep understanding of individuality, culture, and creativity in every experience I deliver.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’d begin by acknowledging Robert Reed, the founder of Ergo Styling Tools, who was the first to offer me an opportunity as an educator and artistic team member for Ergo. Through his company, I had the chance to teach in salons across nearly every state in the U.S. and present at most of the major industry trade shows. I also want to give credit to The Wall Group, my agency, for creating meaningful opportunities for emerging artists to break into the high-end beauty industry through their Assistant Roster and mentorship program, which has served as a powerful gateway for growth and advancement.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/mitchellcantrellbeauty
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mitchellcantrell?_t=ZP-8vB9Yt1gGb9&_r=1
Image Credits
Images of me are by @zeus.views ( instagram.com/zeus.views
