It’s both exciting and stressful to change a client’s look, and even more so when that client is your daughter.

Jen Dozier, a frequent Artist Session attendee, asked if she could bring her daughter, Kylie, to MODERN’s fall photoshoot workshop. The beautiful teen surprised us all when she said, “I’m 13, but I turn 14 tomorrow!”

Dozier owns Bombshell Salon in Ellicott City, Maryland, and the trip to NYC was a birthday gift for Kylie. Attending the workshop and shoot was an added bonus for her because she aspires to be a photographer.

After 82 top models showed up for the casting with an exciting variety of hairstyles, Kylie asked her mother (actually, begged) for a hair cut. Dozier, a Paul Mitchell national educator, hesitated.

“I was afraid she was caught up in the moment and would have regret when she got home. Most girls her age don’t have a fashion-forward cut and I was afraid she would feel out of place with her long-haired friends.”
According to Dozier, Kylie said this was not making a decision on a whim.

“I’m not a typical 14 year old,” Kylie said. “I am the daughter of someone in the fashion industry and I’m exposed to a variety of styles. I want to do this.”

The young teen woke up the next morning hoping that this would be the big day.

“She washed her hair in the hotel, expecting I would cut it right then and there!” Dozier said. “I was hoping to give her a few days to think about it.”

Instead, Kylie needed just a few hours. When Dozier’s Artist Session model went to makeup, Kylie decided to take advantage of the break, sat in Dozier’s chair and said, “Mom, let’s do this now.”

Dozier caved. When the MODERN team saw what was happening, we decided to capture it on set, asking her to give us the step-by-step details.

“She has a ton of hair—it’s dense and healthy,” Dozier said. “I decided to cut her hair dry because I’ve learned that wet hair tells lies. I needed to see where to take out weight. I wanted to see it fall and move as I was cutting it.”

Dozier cut to the shortest layer from her face frame. After the basic cut, she went back in to graduate and add texture.

“I didn’t want to add layers,” she said. “Baby steps.”

Kylie saw the new look and was thrilled.

“Then it got even better,” Dozier said. “Rod styled her and David used a lighthand to touch up her face to make it an even more exciting experience. The models at the session helped her pose, showing her how to move and avoid being blinded by the lights.”

When they got home, Kylie returned to school with a fresh look and an empowering confidence.

“Kylie got such positive reinforcement from her friends that she knows she made the right decision,” Dozier said. “She’s since asked to go a bit shorter.”

Dozier adds that now, instead of her signature ponytail, Kylie is having fun with her hair. “Before I had to style it. Now she has learned to use an iron and is doing it herself.”

Hair: Jen Dozier, assisted by Reyes Rivera
Photography: Roberto Ligresti
Make up: David Maderich using Ecru Beauty
Fashion styling: Rod Novoa
Nail artist: Armani Je’ton using Essie
Products and irons: Paul Mitchell
Pin kit: Straight Pin Studio LA