WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN: MEET AMANDA

“I am honest. I am lighthearted.  I am sarcastic. I am Amanda.”

 

MEET: AMANDA

Amanda is an LA-based hairstylist who hails from Pennsylvania. She’s used to working behind the scenes with all types of inspiring women, including celebrities and models and she especially loves this creative profession that enables her to make people feel good. Working with such a variety of women which has shown her that nobody is ‘perfect’ and we should love ourselves (and our hair) just the way we are. This bubbly, hard-working stylist encourages others to experiment with their hair, do what makes them happy, not take things too seriously, and simply have a good laugh every now and then.  

 

How would you describe your current relationship with your hair?

I am enjoying it. I'm kind of cheating because I do wear extensions from time to time. I’ve really been loving that wearing it smooth and straight is in because my hair does best when smooth and straight. 

 

Growing up, how did you feel about your hair? How has this evolved?

I used to hate how fine and thin my hair was. Wearing it really sleek is in right now so currently I’m loving that I can do that with my hair. But growing up, I used to hate it. 

 

How did your family/the media shape your views about hair?

My family I wouldn’t say really had any impact on how I viewed my hair. It always was what it was, and we didn't really talk about stuff like that. 

 

The media definitely did. It  made me want to have more hair, bigger hair...I always wanted curly hair. (I kinda still want curly hair.) You see people on TV and think they have such, long hair, such pretty hair...the color of their hair. I think you always want something that you don’t have. So, I definitely can say that I grew up wanting  big, curly hair and really long hair. 

 

What was your a-ha moment when it came to understanding and identifying unrealistic beauty standards?

Working with celebrity clients and models on set. I realized that they are just like us and that their hair is just as fine, just as thin, and they wear hair pieces which we just don't know. 

 

What makes you feel confident?

I would say being unexpected makes me feel confident. I like doing things people don’t think I can do or don’t think I would do...Surprising people. Also, I love helping people, so being able to help someone and knowing that I helped them. Getting my hair done and it looks nice, having my makeup done, being good at my job….I love my job and take it very seriously, so doing it well is really important to me. 

 

What do you love most about your hair?

It’s really blonde and I get a lot of compliments on it being blonde. Especially living in LA where there's so much diversity, it’s a really unique thing to have here. 

 

Which is your favorite L’ange product? What do you love most about it?

The Ondulé Wand—I love it because it’s so lightweight and easy to use. 

 

How do you express your individuality through your hair?

I express my individuality by styling my hair a few different ways throughout the week. Because I'm a hairstylist, I do get to explore a lot of the trends and watch videos and I think changing it up all the time really makes it unique. I get to see the trends coming and going, I get to try them all and see what I think looks the best on me. 

 

What is the nicest compliment you’ve received about your hair?

It’s so healthy for being how blonde it is. I'm naturally really light color, so I lift really easy and it stays healthy but gets to be very light. 

 

What is a negative remark about your hair that’s stuck with you to this day?

I don’t think anyone has said anything (to my face) that’s stuck with me to this day. 

 

What would you like to share with the next generation that you wish you had known growing up?

I'd love to share that you have to listen to yourself. Whatever you want to do, you have to go do it, no matter what anyone says to you (even to your face). You have to find people who are going where you want to go and not to be afraid to do it. 

Watch the video here. 

 

To learn more about Amanda’s go-to styling tool, check out the Ondulé Curling Wand here.