Yasmin, I began following you on Instagram via @missxyasminx when I interviewed Master Colorist Sarah Ritchey back in March. Tell me more about your story.

I’ve been in the industry since 2009. Oh wow, has it been 10 years already? I always knew I wanted to help people. I just wasn’t sure how. I grew up in Orange County, California. Graduated high school volunteering in the late stage Alzheimer’s ward of a convalescent home, as a sign language interpreter.

The elderly residents loved me because of my colorful hair. Yep, that was me. You see, my parents were super strict, so I was that girl sitting in her bathroom at 2 a.m., trying to hide my mess of a chemical cut and yellow-brown and green-colored self-dye job from my parents.

Once I graduated, I needed money for college so I joined a branch of the Peace Corps called Americorps which offered a $10,000 scholarship if I completed an 11-month term. I started working with Americorps and was placed at a Multiple Assistance Center (MAC for short) in Eureka, California. This facility was a homeless transitional shelter for families.

My job was teaching head start to preschool aged children. I enjoyed my time working at the MAC, completed my term and received a scholarship. I took my scholarship and enrolled at James Albert School of Cosmetology in Costa Mesa. I completed the course, top of my class and with a 102% average grade. I always did extra credit, extra clients, anything that I thought would make me stronger once I left school.

I took small jobs here and there but wasn’t happy. I found my home at a salon in Newport Beach. I worked there for four years as salon manager and esthetician. I really enjoyed transforming my clients’ skin and giving them confidence. Vivid color was not popular at my salon, let alone in Newport Beach. Walking up to greet facial clients with hot pink or neon green hair was an adjustment, not for me but for the clientele of the swanky Newport area I was working in. All along I just didn’t fit. Beyond not “fitting in”, I ultimately outgrew the fancy salon and opened my own Sola with my bestie Frankie @itsfrankiedude.

Having our own space to be creative was wonderful. We started receiving sponsorship and working with celebrity clientele. We enjoyed our time at Sola but still knew we were meant for bigger and better things. I didn’t want to be restricted to one space and with the demand of celebrity clientele, I was doing at least half of my vivid color and skin care appointments off site. It felt like I was always working on set or at the celebrities beautiful estates. This was so much fun and we inevitably outgrew our little salon suite. Frankie is one of my best friends and we still work side by side till this day.

2 Tips for Securing Influencer Brand Sponsorships

While working with celebrities and influencers, many would ask how I got influencer brand sponsorships. In the beginning, I was left asking, “What is an influencer?” I had never heard the term. With this nuance of “influencers” overwhelming the social media space, I found my niche.

• First, I was honest with my influencer clients and told them about my philanthropic work with the homeless. This is how I got influencer brand sponsorships. The influencers wanted the sponsorship and I had built relationships with many brands, so I started working as an influencer manager and vivid colorist.
• Second, I kept educating myself and became a master esthetician and alopecia specialist. During this time, my philanthropy had led me to the American Cancer Society and their “look good, feel better” program. By furthering my education in Alopecia, I was able to help many women and children suffering from the illness. I love the range which I can work in, under this license.

From a super fancy salon, to a salon suite, to a private colorist and now into the hospitals…this is my heart.

Thanks for those tips regarding influencer brand sponsorships. I agree, transparency is a vital aspect to securing influencer brand sponsorships from top companies in the industry and education helps to open new doors for you to continue your work. I love your vivid color work! What are some of the hair trends you’re asked to do the most?

I am asked to do peek a boo rainbows quite often. This is a good option for someone who works in an office or hospital and can’t have a full head of neons. Something else that I get asked for, are rainbow baby lights and glow in the dark hair.

I am a vivid colorist so I stay in my lane. I know fantastic blonding experts like @itsfrankiedude, truly gifted barbers like @mad_razor_cutz and global extension specialists like @_itstaylormarie.

Speaking of which, do you recommend other stylists to your clients if their request is out of your scope?

I have no problem sharing my clientele in order to give them exactly what they’re looking for. I think that is something lacking in this industry. The top is awful lonely if you step on everyone to get there. I do what I do which is neon mermaid hair and philanthropy.

That being said, my clients know I will deliver on their vivid color or refer them to one of the best if they’re looking for something outside of my wheelhouse. That is not to say I do not work outside of my comfort zone. I believe we must push ourselves to be uncomfortable at times. This is when we grow. If we are comfortable, then we are stagnant, unable to grow into our true potential.

Amen to that! So then, would you say you specialize in color, cut or style?

I specialize in color, vivid color is my expertise.

What type of hair extensions do you use on a regular basis and which brand is your favorite?

I use tape in hair extensions. My clients like the quick installation and easy removal. My go to brand of tape extensions has always been Halo Couture. Their hair quality and customer service is out of this world.

You know what; I hear that quite often from stylists that Halo Couture’s customer service is out of this world! What styling tools are your go-to?

I’m a very colorful person so I love Color Trak brushes and Amika styling tools.

While we’re on the subject, what products do you like to use on your clients and why?

I use Amika products on my vivid color clients and in my philanthropy. I just love the brand, it smells so good and the packaging is totally ME. Beyond that, Kate and the brand are wonderful. They are all so nice and supportive. Amika are just good people. Have you ever met a brand and thought “these are my people!” With Amika, I feel that way. They truly care and that is important to me. There are so many brands out there but not many actually care about the stylist using their products. Amika’s color safe line and hair masks are outstanding.

I also use Olaplex to ensure the integrity of my clients’ hair. Isn’t that nice, to have hair insurance? They are another fantastic brand. Dustin is very supportive and they are a lovely bunch of people.

For extension clients, I use Monat Black if they are thinning or experiencing hair loss. It can also help stimulate the hair follicle in my alopecia clients. For Alopecia, I pair recommendations with a Capillus laser cap. I use Monat Smoothing shampoo and conditioner if they are not experiencing hair loss because it adds moisture into the cuticle of the hair extensions. Julia and the Monat ladies are always offering education and if you can’t tell…I LOVE education.

My secret weapon is Tip Top Pomade. I use it as a barrier cream and to style out clients with short hair. It isn’t super thick, it smells clean and I love how much they support me. Mark and Dre are just really nice guys with a killer product and they’re locally manufactured in Fountain Valley, CA. What’s not to love?!

Yasmin’s Top 4 Favorite Hair Brands

Do you have your own line of hair or beauty products and, if not, which brands are you grateful for?

No. I do not have my own line. There are so many good and bad brands out there. I’ve found the good brands and am grateful for them. I am proud to support products by Amika, Olaplex, Monat and Tip Top Pomade!

What beauty tip are you asked about the most?

For hair, I get asked how to maintain the neon or vivid color. My tips are:

1. Wash your hair in COLD water with color safe products by Amika.
2. Avoid over washing your hair by using the Amika dry shampoo in between washes.
3. I recommend washing vivid hair no more than 2 times per week.

I always laugh when I see my clients’ reaction to the “cold water wash.” I don’t mean to take an ice cold shower silly! I’ve had vivid hair since I was 14 so this is what I do:

1. Wash my hair in cold water in the sink or kneeling down at my bathtub, focusing the shampoo on the scalp, not the hair.
2. Repeat with conditioner but focusing on the mid shaft and ends. Then rinse.
3. I put my hair up in a bun and then turn the water to warm and take a regular shower.

I’d never make my clients take a cold shower but it is kinda funny when they misunderstand and are taking cold showers to preserve their vivid color. Now that’s dedication!

That’s definite dedication, ha-ha. I always like to ask stylists which vitamin or supplement they recommend for thinning hair — any suggestions?

DS Labs has a very good product line for thinning hair. You have to use it as a system but I have seen positive results. Everybody is a little different so, you need to do some research before purchasing any product. Although it is expensive, I respect their “empty bottle” return policy. Not many brands will give you a refund on a luxury product with nothing but a receipt and empty bottles. DS Labs and Monat are the only brands that I know of who offer this kind of guarantee.

You’re absolutely right, that’s an incredible guarantee. Which hair dye brand is your favorite and why?

I’m a DYE-hard for Manic Panic. Tish and Snooky are icons in the industry. They are the nicest ladies, no ego, super punk rock and have one of the best OG brands out there.

Since 1977, before the trends and FDA regulations, Manic Panic has been vegan and cruelty free. Manic Panic set the standards and the trends. They are a female centric brand and donate 15% of profits to charity. Ya see that? Yup…my kind of people!

My favorite colors are Manic Panic Hot Hot Pink, Rockabilly Blue and Ultra-Violet. I also love how inclusive the brand is in every community. It is available everywhere from drug stores to Sally’s Beauty Supply. Manic Panic would be an absolute dream to work with. That is a goal I have set for myself.

I love that Manic Panic is a vegan product, plus, any beauty product that is cruelty free is my kind of product.

Top 3 Hair Care Tips for Cultivating Healthy Hair

So, I have to know, what are your top three hair care tips for cultivating healthy hair?

1. You get what you pay for.
2. Invest in proper hair care.
3. Listen to the professionals.

I can’t argue with that. Okay, I’m super curious, who did you train with and do you hold any certifications or awards?

I’m trained in extensions with certification by Global Extension Educator Taylor Boren @_itstaylormarie, vivid color with certification by Sarah Ritchey @sarahdidmyhair, Master Makeup Artist Certification by Sonia Kiani @foreveruntamed and Master Alopecia Certified by the National Hair Loss President Carly Klein.

I’ve received awards by Mayor Eric Garcetti and The Department of Parks and Recreation for my philanthropic work with the homeless in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, and awarded “Best In Class” with 102% GPA by James Albert School of Cosmetology 2010.

That’s great! I love that you enjoy learning and see value in giving back. Are you able to take on new clients and are you available for on-location bookings, either locally or out of state for private events?

My client list is currently full but I hope to open up bookings for new clients in the future. I work on location and am available for private events.

Good to know; what can we expect to see from you in the future?

I just launched my social media marketing company so that is very exciting! You can expect to see more influencer brand sponsorships and collaborations as I continue to sign influencers to my agency.

Congratulations on launching your social media marketing company. Yasmin, thanks so much for sharing your tips for securing influencer brand sponsorships and cultivating healthy hair.

LuvlyLongLocks would like to thank Yasmin Merold for sharing her insights and tips for influencer brand sponsorships. For more information about Yasmin, visit her on Instagram via @missxyasminx.

This interview was conducted by Avni Parekh, LuvlyLongLocks chief creative officer. 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.