Whether wielding her skills in-salon, working as an influencer and educator, or sharing hair hacks with consumers, Olivia Smalley reigns over a sizable—and growing—social sphere under her popular OMG Artistry umbrella. As a second-generation stylist, perhaps her pull to the salon was inevitable—but Smalley’s unique path in the industry has been fully self-curated. “My mom was my first mentor,” she notes. “She taught me how to treat people and work hard. I’d been working in salons since I was 13 years old, but I had no idea I wanted to do hair—it’s hard work to be a hairstylist.”
Whether wielding her skills in-salon, working as an influencer and educator, or sharing hair hacks with consumers, Olivia Smalley reigns over a sizable—and growing—social sphere under her popular OMG Artistry umbrella. As a second-generation stylist, perhaps her pull to the salon was inevitable—but Smalley’s unique path in the industry has been fully self-curated. “My mom was my first mentor,” she notes. “She taught me how to treat people and work hard. I’d been working in salons since I was 13 years old, but I had no idea I wanted to do hair—it’s hard work to be a hairstylist.”
Instead, Smalley first gravitated toward videography, for which she eventually attended college, funded via salon work. But she discovered the video gig wasn’t her calling, and as the economy tanked in 2007, she and her parents found themselves jobless. With zero income, she eyed beauty school and eventually received a grant to attend through sheer determination—offering to barter her salon skills for education. “I ended up getting my degree in cosmetology, fell in love with it, and three years later, Instagram came out,” Smalley recalls. “I was able to combine both of my loves: videography and beauty.”
After graduating, Smalley toted her Nikon camera to the salon, taking pictures of her styles to post on Facebook—and realized that she was fast building a clientele. When Instagram hit, everything exploded. Suddenly, names like Paris Hilton were hiring Smalley for hair and makeup. “I started doing hair at age 19 or 20, working in an agency and doing weddings; but after Instagram, I started doing celebrities,” Smalley laughs. “I guess the rest is history!”
Smalley worked on everyone from Nick Jonas to Real Housewives stars, then joined CHI as one of its first influencers, handling Miss USA events and Fashion Weeks. Soon, her videos were going viral.
Today, as an influencer and educator, Smalley plants herself in the prosumer space via platforms like her OMG Beauty Show, a product-shopping program that aired on Stirr for 13 episodes. She also recently partnered with Amazon to help guide consumers’ purchases and works with Joico as a brand storyteller. “Prosumer is a hybrid space that’s so hot right now,” Smalley explains. “Educating the consumer (not only other stylists), you can grow as much as you want—through the roof.”
Smalley travels most weekends teaching social media and blonding, yet she also understands the importance of downtime, balance—and quieting the noise, both inner and outer. “That’s one personality trait I have: being fearless, not worrying what other people are doing, and being the best version of myself every day,” Smalley concludes. “It’s easier said than done—not every day is your best day, but every day is a new opportunity.”