Joseph Christopher Hair

My name is Joseph.

I never wanted to be a hairdresser or a barber. In fact, I looked at who I knew as hairdressers and barbers and thought to myself “who would want to DO that? I don’t want hair all over me.” That changed years ago. I found myself at a crossroad, continue the way I was living or do something of substance. I broke out a sheet of paper and wrote out what I wanted my week to look like. Mornings consisted of a local coffee shop and some great waves to surf. Afternoon, well, “insert job here,” Night, go to my own recording studio and jam with some friends. I had my mornings and nights filled with the things I wanted to do, but here is where I broke it down further from those two integral parts of my life. I wanted to fill my afternoon with something I could consistently be challenged with. I wanted to problem solve, adapt with the ever changing challenges. I liked working with my hands and my mind. I wanted to do something creative and for others. I wanted to be in service to others and in turn, feel accomplished and feed my soul with something where I felt the benefits of making people happy. I also love getting to know people and allowing others to get know me. Ok, so be creative, work with my hands, use my mind and give to others.

Now what environment do I want to do this in? I want it to be fun, creative and have those moments of peace and calm, just like the ocean. I want there to be music, music I enjoy. I want to dress the way that I want to dress and express myself. Eureka! I’ll be a tattoo artist, or a hairdresser. Tried two years of dedicating my self to becoming a tattoo artist. Let’s just say it didn’t last forever. So my second and last shot at the glory was to enter the world of beauty… and it stuck. After reuniting with an old friend turned hairdresser, I was astonished by just how happy he was and how much he loved the industry and the craft. I was sold, two weeks after catching up, I enrolled into beauty school.. and I say that with pride that I did not “drop out.” Although I came close to it.

I bounced around from Paul Mitchell the School in Sherman Oaks, to Cinta Aveda Institute in San Francisco, to finally graduating from the Aveda Institute of Los Angeles and earning my license as a cosmetologist. with 1,400 more hours than the required 1,600 for the state of California I was eager to practice my skills and create my own destiny woven from hair.

My first assisting position was at The Harlot a salon by Marylle Koken with my old friend and mentor Chad Cook helping me to get the job. I was in shock and awe at the talent that was demonstrated at The Harlot. The dedication to doing the most cutting edge hair was overwhelming but very inspiring. I quickly learned one of my greatest lessons “I know NOTHING”. Wow, did I know a lot of that. I witnessed haircutters cut with authenticity and focus almost like a dance that was well formulated and structured but completely free form. I listened and watched as hair colorists worked like chemists and painters, using hair as a canvas. I saw amazing stylists drape and dress hair like molding together a delicate sculpture.

I wanted to get my hands in on the action, so I took what I learned about the craft and the guest experience and went to a barbershop where I could learn by doing more than watching. This is where I became a team member at Floyd’s 99 Barbershop in Venice, CA. Seeing about 250 heads of hair a month I learned how to cut mens hair. I didn’t really know what I was doing, so I watched videos, took private one on one lessons, as well as shadowed the most experienced barbers/stylists at my shop.

Soon, seeing 14-17 people a day made me resent being a hairdresser. Plus, I wanted to do more women’s hair, and learn the art of color and styling. So I split my time between the barbershop and assisting at Norma Blaque Studios in San Fernando. I learned so much from Norma, how to be kind, how to listen and how to encourage. On top of that I learned how to do more hair. Her approach to educating her assistants was to have them help with services hand in hand and once there was a bit of confidence, allowing me to work on guests by myself. Sure my timing was bad, my colors were ok, and everything else in between needed work, but I was learning.. and growing. For that I am forever grateful.

Time came for another crossroad, after leaving Floyd’s and going full time behind the chair at Norma Blaque Studios, I received a call from my good friend Chad Cook. “I’m opening up my own studio”. Yeah there were many more words shared but thats all I needed to hear when he asked me if Id like to join his team. Sadly I parted ways from Norma Blaque studios to work with my first mentor in the hair industry, but what came next was the greatest learning and growing experiences of my life. Helping my best friend to open and run his own studio. I never have, and still am not made to feel like it’s his, I feel like everyone who is a part of Chad Cook Hair is made to feel like they own a part of it as well. This is where I made my home. I struggled for a couple of years to finally build a clientele in a place where the salon is secluded from any walk-in traffic.

Through hard work, and relentless dedication I went from having absolutely no clients to having my very own clientele that I love and am thankful for to this day. Under Chad’s wing, I learned new ways of cutting/coloring and styling hair, that you couldn’t brainwash out of me. When I felt confident enough, I wanted to give back and share what I learned to people who were just like me… eager to learn. And so, I became an educator at the very school I completed my education, Aveda Institute of Los Angeles. At AILA I keep my focus on teaching the fundamentals of great hairdressing, and business. I teach what I know, and what I wish I knew when I was a student.

Since my the first day I threw on the legendary all black uniform at Paul Mitchell the school to today, I have done quite a few things I am proud of. I have been featured in various blogs and magazines. I have done work for an indie film or two. On top of that I work at Marina Del Rey’s voted best salon, Chad Cook Hair with my best friends and colleagues. With the most amazing people that sit in my chair and trust my perspective and ability to create. I am also the Artistic Director for CCH Scissors where I teach the most innovative ways of cutting hair with CCH Scissors as my tool. I have countless certifications in hair color, hair cutting and hair styling as well as earning my newest credential of extension installation.

What it all boils down to, is that I love what I do, I love the road I am on, and I love that tomorrow there is always a promise for more to come!