Hotheads Stylist Feature:Tera Stephens

Known for her uber-cool style and trend-setting threads, you would think hair stylist Tera Rae Stephenswas a celeb…Well, in the world of tresses and locks, she is the star of the salon.  Tera catapulted onto the Southern California hair scene with fierce determination and sheer certainty.

This born and bred Orange County wife and mother has always been full of life, drive, and smarts, but she didn’t always know she was meant for hair.  Originally, she thought she wanted to be a teacher—“Mainly to get the summers off,” Tera admits with a big grin.  However, this free-spirited lady was missing that passion she craved in her career. It was not until she saw her best friend finish Cosmetology school that started contemplating a life making people look their very best. 

“When you look good, you feel good,” explains Tera, “I wanted to make people feel like they could do anything. Sometimes, the right cut or color is all a person needs to make a huge difference in their confidence and self-esteem.” In her early twenties, Tera attended  Paul Mitchell The School. Tera took to hair like a fish to water—she was simply meant for it.  While learning the ins and outs at school, she also worked as a server at OC hot spot Memphis and was a full-time super mom.  Tera never gave up and one year after completing school, she not only had her own chair at the premier Corona Del Mar salon Christopher & Co., but she had an assistant…and was double booked.

Now, with over ten years of experience in her back pocket, Tera sets up shop with the busiest station atTek Salon in Costa Mesa.  Her specialty?  The ever-popular and celebrity favorite, Hotheads hair extensions.  Originally, Tera was not interested in doing extensions; earning a bad reputation for damaging hair and taking 6 plus hours to apply, but not with Hot Heads.  Tera loves utilizing Hotheads’tape technology that actually helps the hair grow and the little time it takes.  She gives her clients instant length and volume in under an hour.  “That’s my favorite moment,” says Tera, “When a client looks in the mirror and smiles from ear to ear when I’m finished doing their hair.”

When she’s not in the salon making people look red carpet ready, Tera is the queen of the Stephens family—wife of entertainment photographer Justin Stephens and mother of three radical kids: Griffin, Hudson, and Harper.  She may not have the summers off, but just like her happy clients, Tera Rae Stephens sure has a lot to smile about.

HH: When did you discover that you wanted a career in the beauty industry? 

TS:My best friend went to Cosmetology school right after graduating high school and when she started assisting, I went to work at her salon as a receptionist.  I fell in love with the energy of creativity and women getting their beauty on!  Hair stylists are really fun to hang out with!

HH:What your favorite Hotheads Hair Extension color? 

TS: Being in Newport Beach, the majority of my clientele are blondes.  I love #23 and #25, also the colors I wear!!!

HH: Is there anyone that you would like to work with whom you haven't yet? 

TS: My salon recently started carrying Kevin Murphy product and it is really fun to work with.  I would love a little time working on models with Kevin!

HH: Do you think this is a skill that successful beauty professionals are born with or is it one that can to be cultivated and perfected? 

TS: In school, it was obvious who the "naturals" were.  I absolutely believe hair dressing is something you're born with but I've also seen clumsy, insecure stylists work really hard to hone their craft and become amazing!

HH: How can young men and women who are aspiring to work in the beauty industry begin their journey?

TS: I think it's a great idea to spend some time in a salon before taking the leap into school.  Even if you're sweeping hair or working the desk, it's a good way to get a feel for the industry.  Next, chose the best school you can afford and give it your all.

HH:What are some career goals that people should set for themselves before attempting a career in beauty? 

TS: I dabbled in college and now really wish I had completed a business degree program.  It can be difficult to manage your money when you're beginning your career and I wish I had a better understanding of that and how to market myself when I was building my business.

HH: What is the hardest part about working in beauty?

TS: I work 3 days a week because I've chosen to be home more since having 3 kids.  This makes for long days in the salon.  The hardest part is the toll hair dressing takes on your body.  12 hour days are exhausting.  I've found that yoga and pilates are a huge help in keeping neck and back pain away!

HH: Is beauty school a necessary step to take toward a career? 

TS: Beauty school is the route I chose but I don't think it's necessary.  If you choose to apprentice, make sure you're in a great salon with a fantastic stylist to work under.

HH: Who has inspired you the most throughout your career in beauty?

TS: I'm most inspired by the precision cuts of Vidal Sassoon and the loose, undone stylings of Oribe.

HH: How can girls highlight their best features without going overboard?  

TS: Remember that more is not always more!  Blonder isn't better when your hair is breaking off.  Work with what you have, play up your great features and love yourself.  That's what makes you the most beautiful anyway!

HH: Why do you think you decided to become a hair stylist?

TS: I loved the salon environment, the camaraderie, fashion, creativity.  It just felt good to be in the salon, whether it was as a client or employee.

HH: What inspires you? Who inspires you? 

TS: Fashion and travel are huge sources of inspiration for me.  Also my husband who is an amazing photographer.  I'm kind of impulsive so his attention to detail and thought process he goes through before a shoot are really inspiring!

HH: What are your favorite Hotheads hair products?  

TS: I can't live without the extensions, of course!  And I also love the Silky Smooth Deep Hydrating Mask.

HH: Which styling tools do you use most often? 

TS: My 25mm Enzo Milano clamp less curling iron is my most used tool

HH: What are some good tips for young people trying to break into the industry?

TS: The owner at the first salon I rented a chair at always said, "Dress up and show up."  It will be in my head forever and I find myself repeating it to new stylists trying to build.  You have to look great when you go to the salon or clients won't feel you're capable of making them look great.  Also, never talk sex, religion or politics!

HH: How do you feel hair relates to personal style? 

TS: One of the best things about hair is that it can be easily changed to meet any personal style need.  The bohemian girl can leave hers tousled and undone while an edgy girl can do a dramatic color or cut to match hers.  Our hair is kind of the icing on the style cake!

HH: How do you think that hair relates to a person's confidence?  

TS: Have you ever had a terrible haircut or color?!!  When your hair looks great everything is right with the world!  There's a reason the term "Good hair day" came along!!!


If you live in Los Angels, Check out the invitation below for Tera's Hotheads event on Sunday January 19, 2014.

Tera will apply extensions on 2 very different models and enter a raffle for some great giveaways including a full head of Hot Heads as well as product and goodies for clients already wearing Hotheads. 

Drink mimosas and have a really fun morning with Tera!