EBS’ List of the Black Beauty Pros to Watch & Learn From
At EBS, we’re a big fan of lists, we’re a big fan of talent, and we’re a big fan of combining those two things together in a conducive way so our stellar beauty community can learn, love, and appreciate the heck out of stylists who deserve our attention.
In other words, yeah, we love givin' you those top-ten-style lists that are fun to read but more importantly, full of the must-know info to keep you up to date and in the know when it comes to stylists to watch.
And this time, we’re bringing you a badass list of black stylists that we can’t let you live another moment without.
We’re here to celebrate the work of these talented artists, ensure that you (the beauty community we know and love) are aware of their work, and provide you with the drool-worthy inspo you want and need to get through another long day of styling. Plus, these stars are absolutely dreamy to follow on social media (and you totally should do that, FYI).
Ready to listen up, learn, be wowed, and add to your ever-growing list of wildly talented black hairstylists?
We thought so.
Get to scrollin’ through our list and get to ready to slam down on the follow button for every last one of these talented artists!
4 Must-Know Black Beauty Pros in the Industry Today
Ebony Overstreet – Bella Vida Day Spa
Tell us a Little About What You Do
I run Bella Vida Day Spa, a one-stop shop for every thing skin and body. I have expertise in esthetics, lashes, and so much more.
How'd You Get Your Start in the Industry?
I first got started in the beauty industry as a lash tech. It wasn’t until I landed a job at Conceited Inc. in Atlanta GA, that I realized this could be so much more. I lashed day and night and met so many new people. In 2017, I officially stepped out on my own and got my first Salon Suite. It was small, but it was mine. I knew then that I had to improve at business and be about my business if I wanted to survive in Atlanta. The urge to be my own boss and show my children there was more to clocking into someone’s 9-5 led me to get my esthetic license. After several 9-5’s and being in high positions and still not being paid or treated my worth, I rebranded Eyelash Ebony to Bella Vida Day Spa & Salon in 2022.
I had found my space in the beauty industry and wanted to share my gift and my knowledge in a space that was safe, whether you were a client or a fellow beauty industry professional.
If You Could Share One Piece of Advice with Other Black Beauty Pros, What Would it Be?
I would tell them to not be afraid to blaze their own lane! If you have a skillset and have perfected your craft, show the world! One thing about the industry that is a false narrative is that it is saturated. No one can do it like you do it and it's ok to share your talent and your way so that we can help the next little black girl or boy get here and it not be as tough as it was for us!
Where to Follow Along
Website: Bella Vida Day Spa
Instagram: @bellavidadayspa
Dominique (Dom) Gonzalez
Tell us a Little About What You Do
Browdom is an inclusive luxury beauty studio that specializes in all things brows. My services include things like waxing, tinting, brow laminations, micro-shading, and more. Each service comes with in-depth brow mapping to ensure every client's brows fit and match their face.
How'd You Get Your Start in the Industry?
Initially, I started my journey as a makeup artist doing freelance work and offering my services to retailers like Ulta & Saks Fifth Avenue. From there, I met some amazing people who suggested I become a licensed esthetician. After beauty school, I applied to work for Nordstrom and got my start doing brows for The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Studio in Oak Brook.
If You Could Share One Piece of Advice with Other Black Beauty Pros, What Would it Be?
Find your tribe. Having a tribe of other black beauty pros has helped me navigate the beauty industry.
Where to Follow Along
Website: Browdom Brows & Beauty
Instagram: @browdom
Georgenie (Genie) Lundi (Miss Fingaz)
Tell us a Little About What You Do
My business has been open for a little under three years. It is located in Altamonte Springs, Florida. It is a beauty salon suite where I do hair services. My clients are able to get extension services, chemical services, braids, silk press and hair care services. Here at Glam Dollz Studio I want to make sure everyone has a good experience with the beautiful atmosphere when you come into the salon. I also sell products and hair extensions to my clients. So they can have the best products for themselves. Aftercare is a start to healthy hair.
How'd You Get Your Start in the Industry?
As I was a kid. I always braided anything I saw that could be braided. At the corner up the street was a salon in NYC. I used to see the woman doing hair at the shop. I always looked in and was admired. When I moved to Florida, I lived with my Grandma and Aunt. My Aunt would do hair, and I would look at her all the time.
One day I took my cousin and told her to sit down. And I parted her hair and kept on braiding. But this time I was doing cornrow. As I got to middle school, I was already plaiting and doing cornrows and French braids for the kids. One day, I saw my Aunt doing a sew-in. And it's like, every time I saw her do something new I would sleep on what she did and do it the next day. Weird, right? I just knew doing hair was something I loved and had a passion for. I then went to cosmetology school to pursue my dream.
If You Could Share One Piece of Advice with Other Black Beauty Pros, What Would it Be?
Continue to keep your head high and be positive about your dream. People will try to tell you being a stylist isn't a career. And to learn the difference between a customer and a loyal client. Continue to do classes to keep up with your skills and new trends.
Where to Follow Along
- Website: Glam Dollz Studios LLC
- Instagram: @mrs.fingaz
Sherry Hurtado
Tell us a Little About What You Do
I decided to become a business owner because I have been a licensed cosmetologist since 1995 and have loved working in the beauty industry. I opened up Blissful Body Aesthetics in January 2021, and it has been a success ever since. Blissful Body Aesthetics is an upscale waxing salon offering full-body unisex waxing and facials. We've earned our spot as a top Waxing Salon due to our devotion to making our customers look and feel their best. We provide our clients with a first-class waxing experience centered around a superb quality personal service experience. We offer unparalleled beauty pampering but also respect our clients’ busy schedules and will get you looking fabulous with flexible hours.
How'd You Get Your Start in the Industry?
In the past, some of my previous employers did not provide benefits, growth opportunities, or even a healthy work-life balance. This motivated me to become self-employed because of the pay structure and lack of stability after having my children. As a result, I transitioned to corporate with a concentration in Human Resources and continued to further my education in that field. I took what I learned in the beauty industry and corporate America and decided to bridge the gap between the two. Working for a major corporate payroll service provider company, taught me the importance of employee retention and how employee benefits play an essential part. My experience in Human Resources and the beauty industry has molded me into a successful businesswoman, and I am truly living the American Dream. For my first year in business, I worked seven days a week, 12 to 14 hours a day and I loved every single minute of it! My family and clients often say I work too much and push me to take a break or go on a vacation, but I believe if you love what you do, it will never feel like work.
If You Could Share One Piece of Advice with Other Black Beauty Pros, What Would it Be?
Some advice I would share with fellow business owners is to trust God and show up for yourself and your brand dail, and the results will come!
Where to Follow Along
Website: Blissful Body Aesthetics
Instagram: @blissfulbodyaesthetics
Facebook: Blissful Body Aesthetic
Love our list of the must-follow black hairstylists? We did, too—yeah, we’re a little biased, but, c’mon, you saw those stylists’ work, we’re not that biased (they’re pretty freakin’ incredible). Guess what? We've got detailed interviews with each of these stylists coming to the blog this month!
Keep up with EBS’ regularly updated blog by subscribing! Trust us, this month is especially important–we'll send you emails when we drop in-depth interviews with each of these stylists!
