Aricka Oliver is a hairstylist from Inglewood, Ca. She is a Celebrity stylist/ braider. When she was a young girl, she would watch her mother do hair. At the young age of 11 years old, she learned how to braid. By the time she was 13, she had a full clientele and had even printed out her first set of business cards. Braiding carried her all through high school. She was the “go to” for braids. After high school, she attended Cal State Dominguez Hills for one year and in the dorms; she was known as the girl that did braids. One day during winter break, she realized with everyone gone, she needed toget a job. While applying for jobs, she happened to see a commercial about Marinello School of Beauty and decided to visit the campus the following week. When she went to visit the campus, at the end of the tour, she ended up signing a contract to attend. This decision was unknown to her family. She had to stay true to what she wanted to do, and what she was passionate about, so she left Cal State Dominguez Hills after only one year to pursue her passion at Marinello's School of beauty. This decision would change her life and bless her in ways that would change her life forever. She receivedher cosmetology license at the young age of my license at 18 years old.

As we step into December, this is the perfect moment for professional cosmetologists to pause, reflect, and prepare for a new year filled with growth, organization, and elevated success. The end of the year isn’t just a finish line — It can be the beginning of something great. The way you close out this year will determine how strong and confident you step into the next one. In our industry, we give so much of ourselves to others. Now is the time to turn that same attention inward and make sure your business, your books, and your future are in order.

Known professionally in the hair industry as Kay Simpson, she was born and raised in Jamaica. Arriving in the States at the age of 9, Kay was fully aware of her gift of creativity for all things hair. Graduating high school at the age of 16, Kay enrolled in the Institute of Cosmetology program located on Harwin Drive in Houston, Texas. Being the well known “over” achiever, she excelled and finished the program in 10 months. Kay started working in the industry at the Exclusive 5th Ave Salon as an assistant for a few months.

In the beauty industry, we spend our days helping others look and feel their best. But too often, we forget that our ability to pour into others depends on how well we pour into ourselves. This month, I want to remind every beauty professional that your mental, physical, financial, and spiritual health are not just personal matters—they are the foundation of your business, your creativity, and your longevity.

In the world of cosmetology, we often put our focus on building our clientele, creating our brand, and perfecting the art of beauty. But one thing that often gets pushed to the side is protection — protecting ourselves, our income, and the empire we are working so hard to build. Success in this industry is not just about the clients in your chair today; it’s about creating a safety net for tomorrow and laying down the foundation for financial stability and generational wealth.

Willie Morrow, the Founder, was born in Eutaw, Alabama. Dr. Willie Morrow was vocationally trained as a barber and hair stylist in California. Dr. Morrow was self-educated behind his barber and beauty chair. Dr. Morrow’s many accomplishments encompass the realms of hair stylist, author, researcher, teacher, collectable historian, product formulator, thus making him the most quoted and notable hair stylist of our time. Dr. Willie Morrow has taught black hair care on four continents: America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. To his credit, Dr. Morrow has amassed more patents, inventions, and product formulations than any other hair stylist in history.

The patio was her first salon, where a six-year-old Karrón Celeste would practice her art on the unsuspecting blonde heads of her Barbie dolls. Mixing together red and purple Kool-Aid, she’d achieve a deep black color, then air-dry and bake the dolls under the afternoon sun until their new looks were set. Barbie, Skipper, and PJ all had colored hair; they were no longer blonde. Her third-grade classroom almost served as her next salon. Thinking she was clever, Karrón Celeste cut the bangs of herself, another Black girl, and two little white girls. The plan was short-lived, however. For that evening, as their mothers went to put their hair in rollers for the night, around the hair would go, then instantly, the fresh cuts would FLAP out straight—not even a bend. A punishment was surely in order. Leimert Park Beauty College followed. “So, why a cosmetologist?” Mrs. Wells, the owner, inquired. Karrón Celeste’s response: “I want to teach clients how to have healthy, beautiful, and ‘stylish’ hair”—a mission that would define her career. And for her, cosmetology school came easy—understanding theory and putting it into practice was her joy. 

Black hair is one of the most diverse, beautiful, and resilient textures in the world. It tells stories of heritage, culture, and individuality. Yet, too often, it has been misunderstood, misrepresented, or overlooked in mainstream beauty education. To truly honor the art and science of cosmetology, it is essential to understand, care for, and style Black hair with both knowledge and respect.

From the moment he first picked up a pair of clippers in his parents’ garage in 1988, Marlon Clayton was destined for greatness in the beauty industry. Creativity came naturally to him, and hair quickly became his canvas. Blessed to have a mother who owned a salon, Marlon grew up immersed in the world of cosmetology. He spent his formative years watching, learning, and perfecting the art of cutting, styling, and transforming hair. What began as a young man’s hobby soon revealed itself to be an undeniable calling.

When you hear the word “detox,” you might think about cleaning up your diet or drinking lots of water. But your hair and scalp need a detox too!Whether you have locs, sisterlocks, dreadlocks, braids, relaxed hair, color-treated hair, or natural hair, detoxing is one of the best ways to keep your hair healthy, fresh, and growing strong.

Born Paula Jane Baer on August 9, 1931, in Beverly Hills, Paula dreamed of acting and briefly pursued it—landing roles in commercials and shows like 77 Sunset Strip and The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok. While acting, she experienced allergic reactions to hair products, sparking her mission to create gentler, more scientifically formulated haircare. Paula grew up in Burbank, California. She was a high school dropout, got married at the age of 15, and became a single mother by the age of 17. While attempting to find jobs in television, she worked as a gas station attendant and as a secretary. She overcame early challenges through resilience and self-education.

The Key to Healthy Hair and Color Success