Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Riley.
Lauren, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been working in this industry behind the chair for almost ten years, although I have been doing hair long before I attended hair school. Hair has always been my passion. My mother is a hairstylist and my Grandfather was a barber, so it’s safe to say it’s in the genes. When I was five, I did my first fishtail braids on one of my dolls. I was that child always braiding, styling cutting my dolls hair. In middle school, I started doing all of my friend’s hair. I was always the friend straightening, curling or braiding everyone’s hair, and then in high school, I did hair for proms and even started coloring some of their hair. After I graduated high school, I attended Umass Lowell for a semester and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. After convincing my parents, I enrolled in Hairs How Modern School of Beauty that January, and couldn’t have been happier. As a stylist, I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people who have taught me so much along the way. I have taken classes all around New England, New York, and California it is so important in this industry to keep up on trends and techniques because they are always constantly changing.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This is a difficult industry to work in. You have to really want it in order to be successful. You have to be on point at all times because you are more than just a stylist to people. You are a therapist, travel agent, personal shopper, life coach, you are whatever clients need you to be at the time. It is such an amazing feeling of accomplishment when you are finished with someone’s hair and seeing the look of happiness on their face. I love knowing I helped make them feel good about themselves. I have made some difficult decisions along the way from working at two salons prior to Axle, but my experiences are all part of my journey. It helps a lot having the support of my husband and family.
Axle Color Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Axle Color Studio is a full-service hair salon also offering makeup services. We are a luxury salon that offers impeccable service to our customers. I am a hairstylist at Axle, and I have been there since they started six years ago. I offer all hair services. My specialties are foils/balayage and updos/weddings. I was a Wella trend vision semi-finalist in Wella’s 2016 trend vision competition. I would have to say my favorite is doing weddings, I love doing weddings there’s is nothing better than being a part of such a special day for a bride and making them feel perfect!
I am most proud of the time I had one of my clients fly me to Los Angelos to do her and the bridal party’s hair for her wedding, it was an experience I will never forget.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
To me, success in life is being happy, and having happiness in your life, like when my husband and I held our daughter for the first time it was the happiest feeling in the world. I feel most successful in my profession when a client is finished with me, and they absolutely love their hair. When finishing up with a bride and it’s time for them to look in the mirror, I love seeing the look of happiness and confidence on their face before they walk down the aisle on their big day, it reminds me of the joy I felt on my wedding day. Knowing I helped make them feel so good and special. That’s when I feel like I succeeded and I know I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing!
Pricing:
- Refer a friend and both receive 20$ off
Contact Info:
- Address: Axle Color Studio
203 main st
North Reading, MA 01864 - Website: www.axlecolorstudio.com
- Phone: 978-664-2800
- Email: axlecolorstudio.com
- Instagram: @hairbylaurenriley
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