We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad's 30 Under 30 contest, sponsored by Denman Professional.
Here, you'll get to know Shyla Sexton (@shylasextonbeauty), a 27-year-old hairstylist and makeup artist based out of The Gallery Beauty Co. in Tampa, FL.
Q&A
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Shyla Sexton (SS): A fun fact about me is that I never intended on being in the hair industry. I was planning to go to law school until COVID helped me change my path and find my passion.
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
SS: I started in the hair industry in 2021. Following graduating cosmetology school, I jumped right into suite renting. I’ve never worked in a traditional salon environment, and I feel like that was the best decision for my career. By delving right into my own business, I was able to push myself to earn and grow quickly, ensuring I was producing the best experience for my clients. I loved being able to advance at my own pace, rather than at a pace set for me by someone else.
BLP: Who is someone you consider a mentor/role model in the industry?
SS: Truthfully, there are so many incredible stylists that I look up to in the industry. I’ve worked closely with Masters of Balayage for a little while now, and they were very helpful when I was first starting out. Their programs helped teach me various techniques to find what works best for me behind the chair. I think what they have done with their company is incredible, and I aspire to be as successful as what they have created.
BLP: What is your proudest achievement in the industry thus far?
SS: I’d say my proudest achievement so far is my ability to build my business from the ground up straight out of school. There were a lot of people along the way that advised me not to jump right into suite renting or doubted my ability to succeed on my own without an assistant program or help from an established salon. I’m extremely thankful for my belief in myself to start and grow my business into what it’s become, with no help from anyone else. It’s extremely challenging and scary to enter into an industry that you don’t know much about and bet on yourself anyways. Within my three short years in the industry, I have been nominated for Masters of Balayage Top 5, Top 10 and Top 25. I’ve become a Masters of Balayage ambassador and now an educator for them. I have created my own brand of extensions and worked with over 400 clients. I’m extremely passionate about this industry, and it excites me knowing there is no cap to the success one can achieve if they work hard and believe in themselves.
BLP: What is your favorite piece of advice you’ve been given by a fellow industry/hair pro?
SS: I think the best advice I’ve been given is not to be too hard on myself. No stylist is perfect, and the mistakes we make along the way help us grow and evolve to become better for ourselves and our clients. I think it’s very easy in this industry to get down on yourself if something doesn’t turn out perfectly or how you expected. This advice has helped me learn to take a step back in these situations and get in the mindset of "What can I learn from this? How can I be better next time?" rather than thinking I’m not a good stylist or I’m not meant for this industry.
BLP: What is a hair tip/technique you’ve learned that’s helped you be more efficient/successful behind the chair?
SS: One of the most underrated skills as a stylist is the after photos/videos. Learning how to shoot on a camera and what angles/lighting showcase my work the best is by far the skill that has impacted my business the most. Perfecting your technique on color or cutting is immensely important, but if you’re unable to capture those skills through photo or video, it does a disservice to how potential clients view your work.
BLP: What is your favorite hair trend currently?
SS: I am obsessing over the darker, warmer toned blondes. I also love that more people are leaning into their natural color and enhancing, rather than completely changing.
BLP: Who or what inspires your work?
SS: This industry is full of incredibly talented stylists that inspire me to grow and improve every day. The fact that trends and styles are constantly changing also excites me and motivates me to push my boundaries behind the chair. I love challenging myself, so I tend to find stylists that I look up to, then pour myself into my craft until I feel like I am producing the high quality work I see them producing.
BLP: What changes would you like to see in the industry to better help hair pros grow and thrive?
SS: I think more unbiased award opportunities would be amazing to see. I think the idea of healthy competition is amazing and helps us all get a little out of our comfort zone and level up our work.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
SS: I have so many career goals right now. I’d absolutely love to open my own salon, potentially a hair school, start my own online education and start traveling to teach my own classes. I would love to grow into a dominant figure in the industry, who focuses on helping other stylists feel confident and comfortable. I want to inspire others to believe in themselves and help people realize that their potential is endless no matter what background they come from, if they’re willing to put in the work.
