Meet Ariana

Ariana is a licensed cosmetologist, editorial stylist, and the creative force behind Ariana’s Canvas. Her work centres around natural hair, wellness, and artistry - bringing her artistic touch from sketchbook to editorial shoots, runways, and short films.

Where to find Ariana: Instagram | Website

The interview

Here are all the questions we asked Ariana, so you can fast-forward to the best parts.

[03:08] How did you go from braiding Barbies to styling on Fashion Week runways?

[07:59] What’s the unglamorous reality of building a hair career?

[08:44] Why do you centre wellness in protective styling?

[14:19] How did your personal hair loss experience shape your approach to clients?

[18:47] What does your client experience look like from intake to appointment?

[26:10] How do you balance editorial work, clients, and travel?

[33:04] What are your future aspirations in the industry?

[38:00] Why should beauty brands hire hairstylists on their marketing teams?

Who has Ariana styled?

Sets and styles Ariana has styled.

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Ariana’s top tip for stylists

Ariana's top tip: Don’t wait for balance - earn it. Everyone sees the Instagram highlights, but nobody shows you the 3am drives or the unopened award boxes. You have to work hard before you can work smart. Building a sustainable career means being honest about what it really takes.

Some takeaways

For stylists 💇🏾‍♀️

Protective styles aren’t protecting anything without moisture - If there’s no leave-in conditioner, no steam treatment, no hydration before installation, you’re not protecting hair. Braiding dry hair and calling it protective is missing the entire point.

The client experience starts before they walk in - Ariana’s intake form includes everything from hair density to inspo photos to one crucial question: “Will you come with good vibes?” Setting intention from the start changes everything.

Education is power, not competition - Share your knowledge with clients. Tell them what products you’re using, how to care for their hair at home, and why certain techniques work. AI won’t replace service-based jobs, so stop gatekeeping.

The reality behind the scenes isn’t glamorous - This week alone: shoots in New York Thursday and Friday, clients in Maryland on Saturday, a wedding in New Jersey on Sunday, another shoot Monday. The hustle is real, and balance has to be earned.

Beauty brands need hairstylists, not just influencers - Having a marketing degree AND hands-on hair expertise makes you invaluable. Brands that only use influencers miss the mark on education, proper product use, and avoiding major mistakes that could’ve been caught by a professional.

You’re still learning, even years in - Ariana calls herself a “baby stylist” at 25. There’s no shame in being early in your journey. The goal is to always be a student to the craft and keep community first.

Resources Mentioned:

Tressemé Future Stylists Fund

Beauty Changes Lives scholarship program

Beauty Launchpad 30 for 30

The Bottom Line: Building a career in beauty requires working hard before you work smart. It means 3am drives, sacrificing school enrolment for opportunities, and figuring out balance along the way. But when you centre wellness, education, and intentionality in your work, you create something sustainable.

What resonated most with you from this episode? Hit reply and let me know.

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From, The Mane Cut Team

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