We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad’s 30 Over 30 contest, sponsored by Denman Brush.
Get to know Nicolette Renteria (@rentedhair). She is a hairstylist, specializing in curly cuts.
Q&A:
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Nicolette Renteria (NR): I love to cook and bake in my spare time. I’m currently on the verge of mastering flour tortillas.
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
NR: I started by doing special event styling. My first paid gig was $75 for a bride's hair. I showed up to her house, and I did an updo in a windowless dark room.
BLP: What is your proudest achievement in the industry thus far?
NR: I’m proud to have a consistently fully booked clientele. Being a hairstylist is like being a starving artist – Work is never guaranteed.
BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself just starting out in the industry, looking back on your whole career?
NR: Don’t let fear keep you from living life. I didn’t commit to becoming an educator at first because it was out of my comfort zone. My husband pushed me to do the most, and I’m so grateful for it.
BLP: What is your current favorite hair trend?
NR: My favorite trend of the moment is a more weighted longer layered look.
BLP: What is a valuable hair tip that you want to share with your fellow stylists (whether it’s a business tip or something related to styling/working with hair)?
NR: Being consistent and humble is always going to be appreciated in our industry. I’m an everyday person doing hair for everyday people.
BLP: What inspires your work?
NR: I’m inspired by other artists' work. It can be paintings, sculptures or movies – anything that has shape and feeling.
BLP: What is something that keeps you passionate and motivated in the industry each day?
NR: Creating looks on my clients, and seeing other artists create. I love seeing people get excited to be a part of the artistic process and artists in the thick of creating.
BLP: What changes would you like to see the industry make in order to grow/change/evolve/be better than it was before?
NR: I would hope to see more real people in our industry, which is why I love working with natural textures – It’s a celebration of who people really are.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
NR: I hope to establish a home base hair salon in NYC and Los Angeles since I’m bicoastal these days.
To see the full list of winners, read Beauty Launchpad's May/June issue.
