Hotheads Stylist Feature: Oliva Smalley

Oliva has been employed at a salon since she was 13 years old and has always been stimulated by the hairstylists around her, who at the time were the finest in the industry.  As soon as she started the salon Oliva was constantly booking up freelance jobs and recognized the need to create a brand for herself. Eventually she wanted to turn her company into an agency, where she would have freelance artists available to work on celebrities, concerts, events and weddings. "As of right now, I currently have 10 hair and makeup artists working under the OMG name and on a day to daybasis and get asked by potential artists to join the ever growing OMG team." - Oliva Smalley

HH: What your favorite Hotheads Hair Extension colors?

OS:  I have a partial opinion toward blondes considering I am one, but by far number 24 is my favorite. It’s what I refer to as true “baby blonde.”

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

OS:  Yes! By far my favorite person I would love to work with would be Jennifer Laurence, I feel like we would be best friends!

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?

OS:  I can honestly say anyone can train to apply makeup and curl hair but it takes a genuine artist to produce magic, to engineer face-altering techniques with contouring and highlighting and create unbelievable designs with solitary strands of hair. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is exercising your mind on a daily basis and becoming inspired. It’s possible for all but it may come easier to some than others.

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

OS:  First step is always schooling, ask around to other stylist where they went and get recommendations. Now depending on your financial situation, this will determine your next step. Explore hair/makeup idols in the area to reach out to and see if they employ assistants and gain as much exposure and experience as possible. Don’t keep your eggs in one basket. Ask around considering some artists are not consistently busy enough on a weekly schedule. Go on YouTube and educate yourself, I will tell you 50% of my knowledge is based off this site; the other 50% is my experience and coaching. Your other option is to find a position in a high traffic salon and start as an assistant to a hairstylist/makeup artist. The reason for seeking freelance artists first is the majority of events are on the weekend and surely your new employer will want you to work weekends.

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

OS: 1.   Find yourself and don’t waste your time: This industry is not for everyone. It kills me when I have an assistant who just looking for a job. No no… this is not just a 9-5. You surely will fall off the beauty high in 6 months. It needs to run in your veins, you will have good and bad days but your passion will keep youprogressing forward.

2.   Have a financial plan: Though your salary is limitless, it does not all come at once. Luckily some academies have grants, financial aid or scholarships. You need to look into all of these. I was having a financial hardship when I started school and after being turned down for financial aid, I looked to my administration for help and the school actually gave me a grant, saving me thousands! You have to keep in mind yourROI (Return of Investment). How long will it take you make back the money put out.

3.   Dress for the job you want not the job you have: Dressing nice does not have to be expensive. Luckily for us, we have our Forever 21’s and online shopping. Buy yourself some professional/chic clothes! I dress professional everywhere I go. Like they say, you never know whom you’ll meet!

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

OS: You have to sharpen your pencil everyday you step out and become better today than you were yesterday. There is always someone more qualified than you out there and the only way to the top is to start at the bottom. The hardest part about the beauty industry is breaking into it. I did a ton of free work until I felt like my portfolio was decent enough to receive payment for my work. I felt as if free work led to more free work but those are the growing pains! Everyone’s free ride on my coat tails ended roughly 1 year after I graduated. I do trade work every once in a while as long as I know it’s benefiting myself and not just someone else. Know your worth!

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

OS:  Beauty school is not necessary but I would recommend it, its practice. Practice makes perfect and it will have you a full step above where you would be starting by yourself. Not only does it teach technique but also it teaches confidence!

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

OS:  I have two teachers in particular who inspired me throughout this journey and I name them in order of the date I’ve met them. My cosmetology teacher Mrs. Henry at Sheridan Vocational was by far the most humbling of teachers. She made sure you understood every lick, of every word coming from her mouth. She kept it real with her students and connected with us on everyday events. I thank her for mentally preparing me for what was ahead in the hair industry. Mrs. Victoria Duke of Academyof Glam was everyone’s Greek mother. She always knew how to keep it interesting. You could smell passion coming from her pours. In makeup school is where I learned who I was. I had previous baggage holding me down and it was not allowing me to mature. I absorbed every ounce of advice and put it into thought and action. This was not just an ordinary makeup school; it was my building block to success. Mrs. Duke lifted our spirits and encouraged us to be whomever we desired to be.

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

OS:  Listen twice as much as you speak. I use social media as my bragging rights. I post what city I am in, what celeb I’m doing and as soon as I see whomever, I say nothing and only speak about the individual in front of me. If they want to talk about me, they will ask about me. There is nothing I can’tstand more than a selfish talker. The best way to highlight you is Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc!

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

OS:  My desire to help others over exceeds my paycheck. There is nothing better then the look on a teens face when she sees her hair and makeup for the first time for her prom or a mature woman who does nothing for her self on a daily basis. I love to help others with their confidence levels and bring out the inner beauty in every client that sits in my chair.

HH: What inspires you?  Who inspires you?

OS:  My surroundings inspire me and the people I surround myself with. I am a very business oriented person and there is nothing I love more than bouncing ideas off another artist and making the unthinkable, do-able. I read blogs and magazines all day everyday. 24 hours just isn’t enough time for me on a daily basis. I find myself always craving more. I always hang on to every piece of advice I’ve ever been given. I take criticism as motivation.

HH: What are your favorite Hotheads hair products?

OS:  My favorite Hotheads hair products are by far the hair brushes. They make it so easy to care for the hair.

HH: Which styling tools do you use most often?

OS:  My CHI! I love my 1-inch Chi Curling Iron. If my house were on fire, it would absolutely be the one item I would take! It creates shiny curls that last for days. Not to mention the Hot Head extensions hold so beautifully.

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

OS:  From a moral standpoint, don’t let success go to your head and failures go to your heart. Be kind to everyone and give gratitude at every point necessary. From a business standpoint, do your homework and stay on top of your game. This business is ever growing and it’s easy to be left behind when you’re not continually educating andevolving with your skills.When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe, you rot.

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

OS:  I would say hair absolutely reflects the way you take care of yourself. If hair is dull or has spilt ends, chances are your health isn’t as up to par as it should be. Vegetables and vitamins keep strands strong and shiny. When I see an individual with gorgeous locks that have been blown, straighten or curled, to me it looks like that person has their life together. Funny to say, but think about it!

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

OS:  Speaking for me personally, if I walked out of the house with air-dried hair I would be mortified. Not that some people don’t look great with air-dried hair, I just know personally that my hair would be a fro-y mess. It would absolutely lower my confidence! The same in reverse, having lustrous bounce in your hair from a great blow dry definitely puts a nice pep in your step. It’s amazing how much hair makes a difference when guessing someone’s age as well. Good hair can surely make you look younger. Grey can work for some but not for all!