Meet Amber Hamilton
Amber Hamilton is a celebrity hair stylist who has worked in television, film and theatre. Amber has worked on the set of some amazing films, such as The American Horror Story, Dear White People and Guardians of the Galaxy, which led to her very first Emmy Award.
In this episode, we speak to Amber about her experience of kick-starting her career (in a very unconventional way at Disney Studios), plus we deep dive into hair products and what clients really need from their stylists.
Where to find Amber: Instagram | Website
The interview
Here are all the questions we asked Amber so you can fast-forward to the best parts.
[01:22] Tell us how you became a hairstylist
[05:33] How did working at Disney prepare you for working in TV and film?
[07:16] How did working in a salon play a role in getting you to where you are today?
[10:40] Who helped guide you at the beginning of your career?
[14:10] What advice do you for women who are working with a stylist for the first time?
[23:20] What advice do you have for stylists on creating an empowering environment for clients?
[26:58] What tips do you have for women who are struggling to find a good stylist?
[29:12] How do we slowly build up the trust between stylists and customers?
[33:02] What are the things people should take into consideration as they're looking for new hair products?
[35:30] Would you say leave-in conditioner is a must have?
[38:15] How do people learn more about their hair before they buy any products?
[42:14] What is the difference between an oil and a serum and when should you use either of these products?
[49:15] What are some of your favourite hair brands?
[50:21] What do you love about the Texperts hair brushes?
[52:12] What advice do you have for stylists who are interested in breaking into TV and film?
[54:06] How should stylists stay on top of their education?
[57:20] What's next for Amber?
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Who has Amber styled?
Some takeaways
For stylists 💇🏾♀️
There’s a lot to working in TV and film as a stylist. It requires people to understand the etiquette of walking around a stage, styling in high pressure environments where there’s less time and clients who have a lot of power and influence. There are plenty of things to learn before getting into the business, so take the time to speak to others who have been there done it and worn the t-shirt to make sure you’re fully prepared before jumping in with both feet.
Mentors can play a huge role in helping a stylist build their career. While many stylists start off as independents nowadays, Amber advocates for stylists starting their career in a salon to learn from the people who have been in the game for a long time. This experience also offers stylists an opportunity to be supported (not reprimanded) when they are learning from their mistakes.
Consultations create space for people on both sides of the chair to openly communicate. Stylists are able to get key information they need to make the best recommendations possible, and they give clients the confidence they need to speak up. Without them, both clients and customers are more likely to go through a hard time.
Check in with your clients to make sure they're happy with the work your doing and feel confident enough to voice their opinions while they're in the chair. Many customers will sit and wait until you’re done and then challenge the work, so try to nip this in the bud with constant check ins.
If you see the class, then book the class. Take the time to stay on top of your game by constantly educating yourself on the new trends. There is no such thing as knowing too much when it comes to hair.
For customers 💛
Leave in conditioner is a must in your hair routine. They often act as a protectant when you’re blow drying and styling your hair after a wash, and they supply your hair with additional moisture.
There's a difference between an oil and a serum. Serums just sit on the surface of your hair and often don’t penetrate the hair strands. They’re usually used for styling (think frizz control). Oils will penetrate your hair shaft and your scalp, to provide more moisture.
Product Recommendations from Amber
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, and YouTube.
Where to find Jade: Instagram | LinkedIn
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🔥 Survey time
Global Crowns: Emotions Surrounding Natural Hair of Black Women Around the Globe
A few weeks ago, we caught up with Dr. Nicole Jenkins, an Assistant Professor at Harvard who has dedicated her career to understanding the experiences of women in the African Diaspora.
Dr Jenkins is currently looking for people to take part in a survey that uncovers the most impactful memories and emotions that people have experienced around their hair. If you’re interested in taking part, click the button below to start the survey.
🎧 Coming up next…
Finally, here’s the next set of episodes we have planned. Save them in your calendar…
Episode 8 - Marva Stokes - 7th August
Episode 9 - Ryan Burrell - 21st August
See you in the next episode!
From,
The Mane Hook-Up team
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