From career highs to great assistants and the support of loved ones, today's top stylists and pro beauty stars took a moment to share with LP what they are most thankful for this holiday season...
“What I am thankful for is the opportunity to be in a position to be of great service to many others. “
-John Paul DeJoria, CEO/Co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems
“I am thankful that I have a career where my clients feel more fabulous when they leave me than when they walked in! It's not just the eyelashes - it's that they sincerely feel better about themselves, which then gives them a spring in their step and encourages them to pay it forward! I can't imagine doing anything else that would make me more grateful.”
-Alicia Hunter, NovaLash Advanced Stylist
“What I'm thankful for is that I have a career that doesn't feel like work -- a job that gives me the opportunity to let people know that you can do, have and be anything you want in life!"
-Wendy Belanger, Pureology Artistic Director
"Throughout the year, I'm thankful for the opportunity to inspire and motivate stylists around the world to develop their own creativity. It gives me great joy to see the genuine excitement and energy in someone when they realize there are no limits to their personal growth. Happy Holidays!"
-Damien Carney, Celebrity & Editorial Stylist, International Artistic Director
"What I am thankful for this season is my nearest and dearest. I am always very thankful to have the love and support of my family and friends, especially since they are all the way over in Scotland!”
-Jenny Balding, Redken For Men Consultant
"What I'm thankful for is simple: Health, healthy relationships, abundant work and Shades EQ."
-David Stanko, Redken Haircolor Consultant
"Choosing what I’m thankful for was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Once I stopped to contemplate, I realized how many things I really am thankful for. Picking one seemed an incomplete answer as each wouldn’t be possible without the other. So here, in order of what I couldn’t imagine life without, are my three most precious gifts…
My husband, daughters and parents: Support, inspiration and unconditional love in endless supply is readily available from this group. Working retail type hours, traveling for education and striving to stay “the cool Mom” is only achievable with the support of my loved ones.
My Pravana family: I’m thankful and proud to be part of a company that has grown with the standards, ethics and integrity of our founder. I’m incredibly lucky to work for a woman who I trust and respect, to be part of an educator group that inspires and challenges me, and to see places and meet people I may have never know otherwise.
My Salon Partner: Partnering with someone to open a salon is like a second marriage. You must share a vision and work ethic, and you must trust them completely. They become your therapist, your cheerleader and sometimes your reality check. My partner is all of these. She’s given me the opportunity to pursue my dreams both in and outside the salon and for that I am most thankful."
-Vadre Grigsby, Artistic Director of Haircolor Pravana Naturcueticals
“I am thankful for all the amazing stylists and creators of new technology that lead the way and inspire us. I am thankful for my loyal clients. I am thankful for architecture, music and nature; all places I draw inspiration from. I am also thankful for great journalists who document our work.”
-Sean James, Workshop Director, Fred Segal Salon
"Each holiday season I reflect on how fortunate I am to have my family, friends and our team. I know how lucky I am to have a support system in my life who love me no matter what. There is no price you can put on the peace that feeling brings."
-Deborah Gavin
Fresh Hair Studio
Goldwell International Guest Artist
“What I am thankful for, first and foremost, are my family and friends. I am thankful that I am in an industry that makes me a better person daily from the people I meet and the adventures I take. I am thankful I have the ability to work hard and make a difference.”
-Dean Banowetz, Bosley Professional Spokesperson
“As I reach this time of the year, like many I think about what I am truly thankful for... The first is that I have the health to keep my busy schedule inspiring and motivating across the globe. Second to have the mind and the hands to find beauty in everything I do and everything I see. Third, to have my color tools in Goldwell that let me create magic every day. And last... That I have such amazing eyebrows!”
-John Simpson, Goldwell International Guest Artist
“First and foremost, I'm thankful to God. My faith in God has always played a seminal role in my life –and I credit my faith and the spiritual side of my life for my success and happiness and all of the good and positive things that have stemmed from both. I am also grateful for my assistants, as they are enormously kind, dedicated, loyal and generous in spirit. They are enormously helpful to me, and I am constantly fascinated by how much I have learned from them. Then there is my friend and publicist who is a constant creative inspiration and who continually challenges me to think beyond my comfort area, pushing me to reach the full height of my talents and capabilities. Everyone should have someone as dynamic and engaging in their lives. Lastly, my staff and coworkers have become an extended family. Their love, humor, strength of character and dedication to me and what we are attempting to achieve is precisely what family is about, and for them I am and will always be thankful.”
-Mohammad Rahebi, Stylist, Identity Salon, Encino, CA
“I am thankful for finding a career in an industry that I absolutely love! It gives me the opportunity to express myself creatively and allows me shape my career path in a way that is perfect for my life. I am also thankful for my salon clients and staff who make coming to work everyday so much fun!”
-Michael Noragan, Artistic Team Member, KMS California
“What I am thankful for is to have 86 year old parents in great health. To have a wonderful husband who makes me feel loved when I least love myself. To have a profession that enabled me to go beyond my wildest dreams. And to have the support of an amazing family called Redken. Thank you, I wish you ALL happy, safe, healthy holidays and a New Year filled with your wildest dreams.”
-Kris Sorbie, Redken Global Artistic Director
“This year has been an especially blessed. Where to begin! The new addition to our family, London Ava, born in the heart of the holiday season. An incredible team and business - Byu-ti Salon. We had a record year, and it looks like there's no stopping us.
A career that just keeps on giving, challenging and making me become a better person.
A salon partner in Pureology - a company that supports our business in a way that is beyond our expectations! My new mantra - well old actually but I think I finally believe it: ‘As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’ Thank you, Marianne Williamson for that one! Happy Holidays and a grand 2011!”
- Natasha Sunshine, Pureology Colour Ambassador and Owner of Byu-ti Salon in California
“I am thankful to have a successful business that is continuing to grow. My dream has always been to have a line of hair care products, and this winter I will be launching my full namesake line.”
-Oliver Ifergan of the Oliver Ifergan Atelier in Beverly Hills
“What am I thankful for? It seems like an easy enough question. This has been a year of change with ups and downs in our industry and in my salons. Despite a challenging year, I am truly thankful for getting to do what I love every day and fighting to keep it going every day. So thank you to my husband, my children, my friends and my amazing salon team for all of the love, hard work and continued support.”
-Lisa Vann, Aveda Guest Artist & Owner, Milagros Salon Spa, Seattle WA
“I'm thankful for being blessed with the opportunity to see the world while doing what I love the most. I’m looking forward to sharing it all with my family over the holidays.”
-Marcia Hamilton, Celebrity Hairstylist
"There are too many things in life to be thankful for! Any time you think you have it bad, just turn on the TV. No matter where we look, there will always be a story of tragedy. This always makes me realize that my life is great no matter what bumps in the road I encounter. I'm thankful for my clients who have continued to come and see me during the economic slump; that I get to love what I do for a living and the many adventures my job offers outside of cutting hair! I'm thankful for finding balance in life, mentally and physically, in and outside of work.”
-Sevin Vee, Master Stylist, Van Michael Salon, Atlanta GA
"I have so many things to be thankful for, but the things that come to my mind first are that of course I'm thankful to be alive and healthy. I'm thankful for my creativity and that it has gotten me to where I am today. I'm thankful for my mother and grandmother - they've both influenced and nurtured me and are the reason that I got into the beauty business."
-Kimberly Kimble, Celebrity Hairstylist
“I am thankful for all of the learning opportunities I have had during my career and for being able to share those lessons with others as they grow and evolve in their careers.”
-Dennis Clendennen, Aveda Guest Artist and Owner of Dionysus Salon-Spa,
The Woodlands, TX
*Image: Bochkarev Photography/istock
