Hi Kelly! I’m so thrilled about this exclusive interview with you. I’ve been following you on Instagram via @kellymccormickhair for a while and love your work. How long have you been in the hair care business and what inspired you to join this industry?

I’ve been in the industry for about 8 years. I got my license through a high school program and I started working as soon as I could!

That’s fantastic that you got your license through a high school program! Wow, I wish all high schools offered programs like that. I understand you’re a stylist at the very popular Salon 202 in Howell, New Jersey, what are some of the hair trends you’re asked to do the most? 

Some of the most asked for hair trends I do are low maintenance balayage looks and shadow root blondes. I get a lot of blondes in my chair because I post a lot of blonde hair on my Instagram. I do a few platinum blondes but most of my clients like shadow roots and color melts so it’s a softer grow-out and they can go longer without needing it redone.

I love the hair transformations you post on Instagram, the before and after photos of your clients are incredible. Would you say you specialize in color, cut or style and do you style all hair types, hair textures and hair lengths?

I would say I specialize more in color. Most of my clients want to grow their hair or keep it long, so cut-wise, I’m mostly doing trims. But I love to cut a nice textured lob or bob every now and then!

Lobs are so chic! I don’t ever see them going out of style. I’m curious, what type of hair extensions, like clip-ins, tape-ins, weaves, pre-bonded, fusion, and micro-link, do you use on a regular basis? Which brand is your favorite?

I stick with tape-in extensions. I think they’re easiest to put in and take out. I don’t love doing extensions because they’re a lot of maintenance but I love them for myself and I have a few tape-in clients. At the salon, we use Halo Couture extensions and I love them.

Halo’s extensions are popular, and I’ve heard great feedback about the brand from other stylists too! What styling tools are your go-to?

I love my Usmooth 1 and 1/4 inch curling iron, that’s my go-to for styling most of my clients after their color. Also the Dyson blow dryer is a life saver when it comes to thick curly hair!

That’s really good to know! I have a few girlfriends with thick, curly hair that I’ll be sharing your recommendation with. What products do you like to use on your clients?

I used a lot of Redken products. We are a mostly Redken salon, I love their hair sprays. I also love my Usmooth shine spray and my Amika texture spray for the beach wave look as well.

I was wondering, do you have your own line of hair or beauty products?

I don’t as of right now but it’s definitely something I want to get into in the future.

Cheers to that! What beauty tip are you asked about the most?

Most of my clients ask me about keeping their hair healthy and how to make their color last longer. I always recommend the best products and home care for after they leave the salon.

Speaking of product recommendations, what vitamin or supplement do you recommend for thinning hair?

I love Nutrafol, it’s one supplement that I’ve actually noticed a difference on my hair and some of my clients hair.

I’m going to try that out. I’ve been using Biotin for my hair and it’s helped me grow my hair longer but it hasn’t stimulated new growth. Which hair-dye brand is your favorite and why? Which common drugstore hair-dye brand do you recommend for touch-ups at home?

Redken! I love Redken products—I can trust their brand with my clients’ hair. My favorite part of their line is the Shades EQ gloss for toning. I use it on every single one of my clients for shine and to perfect the tone of their hair. I never ever recommend drug-store color or products. Your color should always be done by a professional in the salon. Drug-store products have a lot of harsh chemicals and metallic dyes that can ruin your hair. A lot goes into formulating the perfect color for my clients and unfortunately it’s not as easy as buying a box at the store and putting it on yourself. If clients don’t want to be in the salon that often they should ask their stylist how they can better blend their grays to go longer between appointments.

That’s an excellent explanation; I totally get what you are saying. So what is your number one hair care tip or warning?

My number one warning would probably be to make sure you’re using professional shampoos and conditioners at home. I have had experiences where I start lightening clients’ hair and the bleach has a bad reaction to the build up on clients’ hair from cheap drug store products. Proper home care for your hair is the most important thing.

You know what, that never occurred to me, but that’s a really good point. I’d love to know, who did you train with and what awards have you been nominated for and/or won?

I worked as an assistant in two different salons after cosmetology school. After that, I got right into doing hair on the floor. I learned a lot from other stylists I work with and classes I take to stay on top of all new trends and techniques. I was also nominated for a Behind The Chair One Shot Hair Award in 2018 for hair cut transformation, which is something I am really proud of. I’m a Redken global influencer which allows me to travel and go to the Redken exchange in New York City, go to hair shows and work with the Redken team to give my input about new products and new color they have or are coming out with. I’m also a brand influencer for Usmooth as well and I love their products!

Congrats! It’s such an honor to be nominated for a Behind The Chair award. I’m curious, do you work out of the salon only or are you available for on-location bookings, either locally or out of state? 

I do work outside of the salon doing bridal hair, which I love. I love to see all the different wedding venues and change it up from the salon atmosphere. Sometimes I do travel out of state for weddings, but I mostly stick around New Jersey and New York.

That must be a nice change to travel every now and then. I’ve got to ask, what are your plans for the future?

There are so many directions to go, in this industry, and I think the next step is figuring out which direction is best for me. My clientele is growing, my Instagram following is growing and I’ve worked very hard for that, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for me.

That’s such a great point—the possibilities are endless! I really appreciate you chatting with me, and I’ll be following along avidly. Best of luck to you!

LuvlyLongLocks would like to thank Kelly McCormick for sharing her insights and tips. For more information about Kelly McCormick, visit her Instagram page @kellymccormickhair.

This interview was conducted by Avni Parekh, LuvlyLongLocks CCO. LuvlyLongLocks has affiliate partnerships and may earn a commission if you make a purchase through the link at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, only products that are known to yield high results are recommended.