Rocsandra Seigle in New York City's Harlem and Maisha Johnson in Inglewood, California enrolled in beauty school right out of high school. They keep busy at ultra-urban salons  making clients feel good about themselves.

EAST

 

 

 

Rocsandra Seigle

Turning Heads Salon and Day Spa

 

Why I became a hairdresser: I grew up watching my sister make people beautiful and I just wanted to be a part of that.

Where I like to shop: Arden B., Nordstrom, Steven

Best hair show I ever attended and why: Hair Wars! It's very entertaining to see how fun, creative and competitive this business can be.

My greatest challenge as a hairdresser: Being patient with clients who don't want to listen to what's best for their hair.

My favorite celebrity hair: Rihanna

My biggest tip and what I did to get it: $100. I always squeeze her in and make her fabulous.

Favorite day as a hairdresser: A day filled with my fave clients.

Favorite hair to work on: Healthy hair is the best hair!

Favorite product and/or tool: My GHD Flat Irons, that's my life!

Who I would like to have in my chair: Amy Winehouse. Her hair is a mess!

What I would like to be doing in 10 years: Working behind the scenes in fashion shows and working with celebrities.

My motto: Always think positive. If you believe it you can achieve it.

My mentor: I have lots of people in my life who believe in me and my talent and they are always pushing me to follow my dreams.

 

WEST

 

Maisha Johnson

Melvina's Golden Touch Salon

 

Why I became a hairdresser: My grandmother motivated me to go to beauty school. She saw a gift in me.

Where I like to shop: Nordstrom, Saks, Macy's

Best hairshow I ever attended and why: The Bonner Brothers Hair Show in Atlanta because it covered all areas of hair and fashion and showed unique styles that you don't see at a basic show.

My greatest challenge as a hairdresser: Correcting a messed up hair cut.

My biggest tip and what I did to get it: $50 because I fit someone in.

Favorite day as a hairdresser: The day I made $1,500. I did about 16 clients that day.

Favorite hair to work on: Full, coarse hair because it holds the style really well.

Favorite product and/or tool: My favorite products are Affirm Relaxing System by Avalon and Stay Holding Spray by Straight Request. My favorite tool is Milstan
Multi-T Thermal Iron.

Who I would like to have in my chair: Fantasia. I feel that her hair has a lot of potential.

What I would like to be doing in 10 years: Owning my own salon and teaching at a beauty college.

My motto: Always make your clients feel good about themselves.

My mentors: Stephanie Mack and Melvina, the owner of the salon where I have worked for the last 11 years. When I was having a hard time and wanted to stop doing hair they talked me into sticking to it.