Hi Amanda! I’m so excited to chat with you. You’re the renowned owner of Twisted Scizzors salon in Cary, North Carolina—How long have you been in the hair care business and what inspired you to join this industry?

I have been in the business for 18 years! Yikes!!!! I have always had a passion for hair. It all started when I was 4 years old! I got a hold of scissors and went to town on my dollies! Then as I got older, I moved onto relatives and friends. Then, it became more than that. I wanted to make people beautiful from the inside out!

That’s really incredible to be so dedicated to your craft, which also sounds like a calling! What are some of the hair trends you’re asked to do the most and what is your signature hairstyle?

I get asked to create bobs or Lobs! I would say my signature hairstyle would be that perfect Bob! I laugh because truly I think more than half of my clientele have bobs!

Oh, that’s too funny. Lobs or “long bobs” — a variant haircut of the bob cut — are one of my favorite hairstyles because they’re edgy yet chic. It’s great to know that this is your signature style! So, would you say you specialize in color, cut or style and do you style all hair types, hair textures and hair lengths?

I wouldn’t say I specialize in just one thing. I’m great with color, cuts, styles, and special occasion hair. If you check out my Instagram you can see some really cool styles created. I’m also great at men’s barbering.

I’m a big fan of your Instagram pages @amandajeank & @twistedscizzors! Oh, I didn’t realize you do men’s barbering—that’s awesome! I’m curious, do you do hair extension installs, and if so, what type of hair extensions, like clip-ins, tape-ins, weaves, pre-bonded, fusion, and micro-link, do you use on a regular basis? And do you have a favorite brand?

So I can do fusion hair extensions. My clientele has gotten too large therefore I never get the time for extensions. Also, I can do tape-ins as well. I don’t have a favorite brand I like to use as of now, but I’m starting to work with Hotheads hair extensions so I can’t wait to see what the hair feels like.

I’ve only tried clip-in extensions and can only imagine how long it would take to install tape-ins or even weaves. It truly is a neat skill that requires a lot of patience. What styling tools are your go-to?

I would have to say my Sexy Hair tools. I love the micro-crimper we carry. It’s great for adding volume and density to the hair for any up-style. Plus, the smooth lock pro flat iron is to die for. It has built-in silicon strips for grip on the hair that helps smooth the hair and add shine.

What products do you like to use on your clients? Why?

I love SEXY HAIR! I love that any product I pick up off the shelf says it’s going to do this, and delivers exactly what is said on the product to my clients’ hair.

Oh my gosh, I love Sexy Hair’s Silk Finish Serum from their Big Sexy Hair line, it leaves your hair feeling super soft, light and airy. Speaking of which, do you have your own line of hair or beauty products?

I do not.

Who’s to say what great opportunities the future holds?! So, I’m curious, what beauty tips are you asked about the most?

I’m often asked, “How can I make my hair look fuller” or “is there anything out there that will help me not lose hair.”

How very valid, I was actually just going to ask you about that! What vitamin or supplement do you recommend for thinning hair?

I have my client’s take a multivitamin, a hair skin and nail vitamin, and biotin. I don’t have specific brand.

I use Nature’s Bounty Biotin and it has worked wonders with growing my hair quicker! However, I’m starting to notice more white hairs popping out of my head. Which hair-dye brand is your favorite and why? Which common drugstore hair-dye brand do you recommend for touch-ups at home?

In my salon, I use JKS color. It’s an Italian cream color formulated with antioxidants. I just love the stay power of the color! It’s sooo true to tone. We also use Redken Shades! Shades is such a game changer in our industry! I am able to create such beautiful tones and it’s great in getting rid of unwanted tones! I would never recommend a drug store color for touch-ups for my guests. I can’t educate them on it because I know nothing about what is in each color so I would never send them to use it. I offer many services for touch-ups to our guests that are very affordable.

Wow! I love your color tones featured on your Instagram page and I’m so impressed that Redken’s Shade color line is that efficient. So then, what is your number one hair care tip or warning?

My hair care tip would be that stylists need to educate more on the products they are using behind the chair. Our guests are looking up to us. Tell them the importance of x, y, and z. Let them touch the product. If we don’t sell it at their visit, within 72 hours they are buying it from someone and that someone is not you. It could be something watered down or who knows what they just purchased off of Amazon. Nothing against Amazon, I’m just stating the facts.

You’re right, it is important to tell clients the importance of the products you use on their hair, because these are the products they want to buy. And, I like that you mentioned that about Amazon. It can be tricky because some companies buy knock-off products from China then sell them on Amazon as the real deal. One way I ensure I get the actual product is by purchasing from the brand’s Amazon store then I double check their credibility by reading their reviews and only buying from stores with a 4 or 5-star rating. Also, I like that you’re an advocate for education! Who did you train with and do you hold any certifications and/or awards?

I’m an educator for Sexy Hair. I have been for the past 8 years. I hold many certifications with them. I have trained with pretty much all the professional brands out there. Education is my thing. I can never get enough!!!

I can’t agree more about the importance of learning and continuing education classes. 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 out of the salon. I’m available for on and off location bookings. I also hold private braiding classes. For more info you can direct message me on Instagram @amandajeank.

I love that you hold private braiding classes, that’s so cool! Okay, one last question, what can we expect to see from you in the future?

I’m hoping I get myself on YouTube more. I want to help inspire more people! So you can expect seeing more education from me!

I really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge with me. Judging from all the comments on your Instagram page, I can see that you inspire so many people, and can definitely imagine how many others you’d inspire by branching out onto YouTube. Best of luck!

LuvlyLongLocks would like to thank Amanda Kimball for sharing her insights and tips. For more information about Amanda Kimball, visit www.TwistedScizzorsOnline.com.

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.