artistspotlight

Kari Williams

Written by artistspotlight / Hair Stylist / October 27, 2015
Dr._Kari_Williams_600x315

Kari Williams not just a licensed barber, professional hair designer, stylist and natural hair care specialist, but Kari Williams is a doctor, too.

Dr. Kari Williams,  as she is known, is an educator and consultant on proper hair care and products, Board Certified Trichologist through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners’, as well as the Founder and CEO of Mahogany Hair Revolution Salon and Trichology Clinic.
Oh, and in April 2013 Governor Jerry Brown appointed Dr. Kari as an Industry Member of the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, where she currently serves as the President of the Board.

The Journey Back" By Dr K. Williams

The Journey Back” By Dr K. Williams

Kari Williams says she is passionate about hair styling and education and “she has merged her passion and degree to create a business that caters to a market that is interested in natural hair and seeking guidance on how to achieve healthier hair.” When she is not working with product companies like Eden Bodyworks, Viviscal, Shea Moisture, Sof’n Free, Curls, Carol’s Daughter and African Pride, she is tending the locks of celebrities like Brandy Norwood, Nia Long, Keri Hilson, Chrisette Michelle, Kim Coles, Jaden and Willow Smith, Leon Thomas III, from Nickelodeon’s “Victorious,” Lisa Gaye Hamilton, Cedric the Entertainer’s family and Keisha and Omar Epps’ children.

Follow Kari Williams on Instagram @drkariwill
check out her website:
http://www.drkariwilliams.com

 

Paul Cucinello

Written by artistspotlight / Colorist, Hair Stylist / October 17, 2015
2015-10-16 23.42.03_resized

 Paul Cucinello

Paul Cucinello grew up in a family of hairstylists and you can say that the creative juices have always been in his blood.
Within 3 months of assisting at his first job, Paul was given his own chair.  By the end of his third year with the salon, he was the Artist Director, General Manager, Head Colorist, Head Stylist, and successfully rebranded and re-launched the salon. Paul soon became bicoastal and quickly began creating a name for himself both as an Editorial Stylist for print and runway and as a Corporate Trainer & Platform Artist for Sebastian/Wella International. He extended his love for color as a Cosmetic Designer, creating collections and doing Research & Development for Sebastian’s Trucco Cosmetic line.

After perfecting his signature cutting style, Paul began working in New York City at Antonio Prieto Salon and shifted his focus toward hair color. In 2001, Paul Cucinello was named “Best Colorist” by New York Magazine and has been dubbed by beauty insiders as the “go-to-guy for color correction and precision cuts.”

unnamed (1)

Paul Cucinello – Beauty Expert

Paul Cucienello has a strong working relationship with the top Beauty Editors and he is regularly featured in New York Magazine, Allure, W, Vanity Fair, Lucky, Self, Teen Vogue, WWD, Health, Life & Style, Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle, & Oprah.com. His expert opinion is consistently sought after for comments on new celebrity hair trends and beauty product recommendations.
Maintaining bi coastal residences in both LA and NYC, Paul is the Creative Director at Chris Chase Salon NYC, where he oversees a team of exceptionally talented editorial stylists and colorists. When he’s not working as a guest artist for major beauty brands, Paul is consulting, testing & developing innovative new products for some of the biggest names in the beauty industry: L’Oreal Kerastase, LBP, Oribe, R & Co and V76 by Vaughn.
 Follow him on Instagram @paulcucinello
Photo credit:  Michael Young

Micah Cook

Written by artistspotlight / Hair Stylist / September 05, 2015
Screenshot_2015-08-21-21-03-52-11

 


Screenshot_2015-08-21-21-05-55-1

Micah Cook with 12 years experience in the business, Micah Cook knows a thing or two about hair, and he has quickly carved out a successful career in the world of fashion.

The Miami-based stylist’s work can be seen in high calibre editorials and on magazine covers and music videos, where he works with various hair textures in the beauty industry. “I own a clear understanding of bringing the best forward in all hair types,”

Screenshot_2015-08-21-21-03-52-1

Micah Cook explains. “I currently have an established clientele base, as well as caring and styling the hair of celebrity comedian, @sommore
I have also worked on music videos and photo shoots. “These experiences has empowered me to live in my purpose of enhancing images by taking my gift and talent of hairstyling to the next level.

I’m motivated to building and diversifying my portfolio in high fashion and editorial. I am looking to work with: models of all race, high fashion and editorial photographers, great makeup artist and wardrode stylist. “He adds: “Opulent is a state of being. Hair is a path to get there. “And his work is revered and inspires others in the industry.”Your hair work is amazing!

I will have to work with you when I’m in Miami,”wrote tationnabosier “I’m so proud of you. Your talent and spirit will take you beyond your dreams ambition. You are an amazing person Micah ,” said shadesofroyalty
See Cook’s stunning styles for yourself on Instagram @micahmiami

Screenshot_2015-08-21-21-08-38-1

Kevin Melendez

Written by artistspotlight / Barber / August 03, 2015
unnamed6-300x296

Kevin Melendez is man who is a wizard with his scissors.

Melendez works at Superior Cuts and Styles in Killeen, TX, and specializes in barber cuts and shaves.

His testimonials speak for themselves.

Wrote Bruce L: “Man Kev is the man with them clippers! Dude get this 15 dollars every week faithfully lol.”

“Kev did a dope a$$ job on my cut, had that line up iced out,” wrote Jorey B. “That kidz got skillz with them blades and clippers. He’s got a new loyal customer here.”

Added Joseph S: “This guy can seriously cut some hair… Don’t miss out cause his appointments are disappearing fast.”

Kevin Melendez offers superior cuts

Kevin Melendez offers superior cuts

Superior Cuts and Styles is a traditional Barbering Saloon with a Modern feel appeal. They specialize in the traditional grooming techniques such as the traditional Hot Shave, Razor hair cutting, and complete facial grooming.

The salon due to high volume of clientele only take appointment only, as they say, it allows them  to guarantee that their patrons receives 100% of their deserved time without any long waits. Their serene family friendly environment is ideal for families with young people.

 

Follow Kevin’s work on Instagram @Frezhbarber

Eric Berry

Written by artistspotlight / Inspirational / August 03, 2015
Image-Eric-Berry

Eric Berry’s story of courage in the face of adversity  is inspiring in more ways than one.

In the scandal-ridden world of NFL, Eric Berry has hit the headlines for all the right reasons.

Diagnosed in November with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the Kansas City Chiefs player pushed through the tears, the pain, the treatments, and yet sort to help others who he said, had it worse than him.

An example of this is the low-key visit he made with his mother, Carol, to young cancer patients at KC’s Children’s Mercy Hospital in June.

Eric with his mom visiting a children's hospital in June

Eric with his mom visiting a children’s hospital in June

They sat on a stage, there to talk a room of 50 or 60 parents and kids and doctors.

Ecic Berry told them he was fighting as hard as he could, and that he was living his message of giving everything you have for each day.

“I couldn’t think of anybody better to be a role model for my kids,” Michelle Bone, mother to Daeton, Haydon and Bradon, told Kansas City. “That’s one thing my kids absolutely take away from him, something that’s affected them. You have to believe in yourself.”

And that belief in himself lead to the most extraordinary of announcement’s this past Wednesday — he was now cancer-free.

“Really, when you look at it, you’re not battling the chemo, you’re battling yourself the whole time. It was me versus me,” he said during his press conference. “There were many times where I didn’t know if I would wake up tomorrow. I would just be up scared to go to sleep.”

That same day he walked onto the practice fields at Missouri Western State University, joining rookies and select veterans Wednesday for the start of training camp.

This courage and determination means Berry’s legacy extends way beyond the playing field — he is now a symbol of hope to those who need it most.

“He’s special to them,” says Brad Warady, Children’s Mercy director of dialysis and transplantation. “The kids always like to see one of their own, someone who’s dealing with a chronic illness, deal with it and overcome it and show there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“Seeing Eric succeed, seeing Eric back on the field, that’s a real positive for the kids.”

As for Berry, he says of his cancer battle: “It’s been a roller coaster, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Berry and his mom during his announcement Wednesday

Berry and his mom during his announcement Wednesday

Shai Amiel

Written by artistspotlight / Hair Stylist / July 27, 2015
unnamed22

Shai Amiel the self-proclaimed Curl Expert. of Capella Salon can turn frizz into fabulous.

Shai is the to go-to curly hair expert after he was handed a diffuser by the curly headed boss he was then assisting and told, “dry my curly hair.”

He listened… and he learn and he began a search for the special product, cut and color that would give curly hair the looks he wanted.

Years later, Lorraine Massey chose to train Shai Amiel as one of a very few select stylists around the country to master her famed DevaCut. Today Shai is sought after at Capella Salon, the salon he owns and runs with his wife, Nicole Amiel in Los Angeles.

Shai Amiel is the curl expert

Shai Amiel is the curl expert

Capella Salon has repeatedly been named the top salon in the city by the LA Times and Daily News and the testimonials say it all.

“Wrote one reviewer: “Shai really has a talent…without cutting much at all, he transformed my badly shaped frizz to lovely curls. Such a nice guy as well. I see why he gets rave reviews. I definitely recommend him.”

Said another: “Shai Amiel is a wizard when it comes to cutting curly hair! He has given me the best haircuts of my life. I’ve moved all over the place, and consequently been to many, many stylists over the years (with some pretty disastrous results) and I am so glad to be back in So-Cal and within driving distance, once again, of Capella Salon. Shai knows curly hair and clearly digs making it as beautiful as possible. His Deva cut is fantastic. I like that he listened and cut off very little hair (I keep it just past shoulders) but still bounced up the curl and created a new shape. Cannot recommend highly enough! Damn, my hair looks good. :)”

Shai Amiel's work is exceptional

Shai Amiel’s work is exceptional

Follow him on Instagram: @shaiamiel or check out the website http://www.shaiamiel.com

Devon Still

Written by artistspotlight / Inspirational / July 19, 2015
365340

Spiritual Courage: Devon Still and cancer-battling daughter Leah is a teatmaent that With GOD all things are possible. And this resonated loud and clear at Wednesday night’s ESPY Awards ceremony, where in an emotionally charged speech, Devon Still accepted an award for his cancer-battling daughter Leah.

The duo was honored for perseverance in the face of adversity.

Leah, who is just 5 and did not attend the ceremony, was diagnosed in 2014 with Stage IV neuroblastoma, a rare pediatric cancer that doctors said left her with a 50/50 chance of survival.

“We had two options,” Devon  Still told the ESPYs audience. “We could have lost faith and just let this battle with cancer get the best of us, or I could give my daughter’s battle with cancer a purpose, and use my platform to try to raise as much awareness as possible.”

Devon Still Accepts ESPY On Behalf Of Daughter

Devon Still Accepts ESPY On Behalf Of Daughter

The NFL player for the Cincinnati Bengals, went on to express his gratitude for those who have supported them through this tumultuous time — and he saved his final thanks for Leah.

“I know you wish you could be here, but I know you’re watching,” he said. “I just want to thank you. From the moment you [were] born, you molded me into the man I am today. I always used to dream about how I was going to be able to show you so much about life, but in the five years I’ve been with you, you’ve taught me more about life than I could ever do.”

ESPYs co-executive producer Maura Mandt said the father and daughter were selected as Jimmy V Perseverance Award recipients because they serve as beacons of hope to other families who are locked in a battle of their lives.

“This award is a testament to the inspiration Devon Still and Leah are to all the families who are suffering from similar circumstances,” Mandt said. “It is our hope that with this award we can send them more strength as they face this latest challenge.”

Leah poses with her ESPY award

Leah poses with her ESPY award

Kim Kimble

Written by artistspotlight / Celebrity Style, Hair Stylist / July 12, 2015
Hustletv-Beyonce-IASF-beyonce-32700249-1280-960

Kim Kimble has an A-list client list that is jaw-dropping, but it has taken Kim Kimble 20 years of blood, sweat and tears, to have the likes of  Taraji P. Henson, Mary J. Blige, Gabrielle Union, Sisse Marie, Tamar Braxton, & Oprah Winfrey, requesting her services.

Oh, and Kimble happens to be Beyoncé’s hair stylist, too.

Kimble has an enviable client list

Kimble has an enviable client list

Hailing from humble beginnings as a third generation hairstylist in Chicago, Kimble rose through the ranks, having her own reality show on WEtv, L.A. Hair and now owns her own salon, Kimble Hair Studio and Extension Bar, in West Hollywood. She also has her own line of hair care products and provides educational classes.

Kim Kimble says that despite her success, it didn’t come easy — by any means.

 

“I think that some people think that it’s easy, but it’s not easy and it didn’t just happen overnight,” she told E!. “It was years of training and classes and experimenting and working. It took me 20 years to get to where I’m at right now. People don’t see the blood, sweat and tears, the bags that I have to schlep around, the over-preparing or that I have a team helping me prepare for things on the level that I like to do because I’m just not easy like that. I like to do things extra.”

Kim's clients

Kim’s clients

And how did she land Queen Bey as a client?

“It was around this time that Beyoncé was working on a lot of her own music and when the time came, she asked me to do the hair on her “Crazy in Love” music video,” she explains.

She may have a high-profile client list, but Kimble remains humble.

“I’m a born-again Christian, and my pastor had been preaching a lot of things about having faith and believing and asking God for what you want,” she says. “So I did that but it’s not going to just happen. I put the work in. I earned it. I had to learn as much as I could learn.”

Her work with Bey has appeared in American Vogue

Kim Kimble work with Beyonce has appeared in American Vogue

Follow her on instagram @kimblehaircare or visit her website http://www.kimkimble.com

Bellami

Written by artistspotlight / Celebrity Style, Latest Hair News / July 12, 2015
Screenshot_2015-07-11-19-39-03-1

Bellami found itself firmly in the spotlight with Kylie Jenner, the reality TV star has teamed up with the Bellami  hair to launch her own line of extensions,  Kylie Hair Kouture, and was helping promote the hair extensions line in West Hollywood.

 

The company writes that Kylie is: “Armed with an arsenal of grace and glam, Miss Jenner is the muse of a generation. From 90’s retro rival to modern glam, she effortlessly captures the world’s attention with her bold and beautiful aura. She could start a beauty revolution with a single sultry selfie. From her mermaid chic bob to a long hair don’t care attitude, setting trends is a full-time job for this Boho Beauty.”

Kylie at the event

Kylie at the event

Bellami bills itself as providing luxury hair extensions without the fuss of coloring, and their catch phrase is that everyone woman is beautiful, glam, sophisticated, wise, elegant, and most of all, she believes she is beautiful because she is. Follow Bellami on Instagram @ bellamihair or visit there website: http://www.bellamihair.com

 

 

 

 

 

Urban Trademark

Written by artistspotlight / Fashion / July 06, 2015
2015-11-10-19.32.08_resized

 

Urban Trademark, is fast emerging as one of the most-sought after names in the fashion business with his Goe-Bands and one-of-a kind Customized Snap Back Hats.

Gordy Booker, CEO of Urban Trademark started from the humbled beginnings of selling his original designs at Venice Beach, this 26-year-old entrepreneur now boasts an A-list roster of names such as Chris Brown, Justin Bieber. Miley Cyrus, T.I. and basketball legend Kevin Durant, who have all donned his designs. There’s also been a slew of other bold-faced names, too.2015-12-03 23.57.27_resized (1)

 

“I started selling hats at Venice Beach,” Booker says of his creative journey. “From there, I tried to venture off and do other things because, the regular hats were okay, but buying and selling wholesale wasn’t really working. I just tried to be creative and God

 

blessed me with a vision for this.”

2015-12-03 23.59.33_resized

And creativity and being thankful to be bestowed the gift of doing what he loves continues to be core elements that drive him.

“I always look back from the time I began and think of how far I’ve come and it’s a blessing.”

See the video below where Gautier explains his business philosophy:

Follow Urban Trademark on Instagram @urban_trademark or visit the website: http://www.urbantrademark.com