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SEARCHCosmo Prof has announced the members for their 2022 Artistic Team! Here's how the retailer will expand the program to further meet stylist needs.
Brenda Espinosa
As the largest distributor of salon professional products, Cosmo Prof is dedicated to growing and diversifying the beauty industry. The retailer’s commitment to education is what sets them apart, and they continue to double down on their efforts to bring stylists quality products as well as educational tools to bolster confidence in their technique.
Today, Cosmo Prof takes another stride in education and is announcing their expanded 2022 Artistic Team who will serve as a professional community of beauty ambassadors for the brand, helping fellow beauty professionals expand their knowledge. The team features creative colorists, curl specialists and business-focused stylists, who will take part in educational shows and special events, as well as teach classes catered to stylist needs.The roster has grown to include next-gen professionals focusing on critical areas that beauty schools and salons may not cover, such as business management and textured hair education. Meet the Cosmo Prof Artistic Team:
Keon Washington
Washington is a master barber who specializes in cuts, fades, intricate designs, and men's grooming. With five years under his belt, he is the longest-standing member of the Artistic Team. Washington owns Wavelengths Barbershop in Greenville, South Carolina, and is well known as an international educator. He has a fun and playful attitude while encouraging stylists to push boundaries and harness the power of creative freedom. Washington works with top brands such as Olaplex, Kenchii, and Reuzel.
Presley Poe
Poe has been a member of the Artistic Team for three years and is passionate about sharing their knowledge with the stylist community. As a multi-specialist, they focus on hair cutting and creative coloring (including high-intensity vivids), emphasizing textured hair. In addition to being an international educator, Poe is the owner of Gold Studios, an inclusive salon specializing in all spectrums of hair, from curly to vivids. Poe has been recognized and featured everywhere from Modern Salon to Estetica Magazine.
Jon Carlos De La Cruz
De La Cruz has been sharing his talent on the Artistic Team for three years. Specializing in color, cutting, and style transformations, he is an expert educator in the arena of textured hair. De La Cruz is a third-generation Latino hair artist with a celebrity clientele based in Hollywood. He believes hair is a form of self-expression and that confidence is key. His work has been featured in Modern Salon, among other media outlets.
Kristen Lumiere
Lumiere is a new member of the Artistic Team. She is a hair educator, beauty business coach, and the owner of The Lumiere House, located just outside of Austin, Texas. Kristen is an inspiring international educator who has been recognized as a Modern Salon Top 100 Artist. Motivated by her passion for sharing social media and business management tips with fellow stylists, Lumiere created a Million Dollar Course and other online resources.
Espinosa is a curly hair expert, brow artist, Poppin Curls & Beauty Bar owner, and another new member of the Artistic Team. Her expertise is fueled by her desire to help clients embrace and love their curls and coils. Based in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Espinosa provides a step-by-step approach to education for natural curls. Her inspiring work has been featured in professional stylist publications.
"We are seeing stylists look to digital channels for access to information of all kinds," said Carolyne Guss, Group Vice President of Marketing, Sally Beauty Holdings. "As a result of closures and pivots stylists had to make during the pandemic, they realized the importance of setting a multifaceted foundation for their business and career, but there are many educational gaps. We want to be the bridge, so stylists understand the essentials of managing a business and have the necessary textured hair skills to serve the world's fastest-growing hair market."
Cosmo Prof has a long history of providing stylists with education through events, shows, continued education classes, and more. With help from the Artistic Team, Cosmo Prof is presenting the information stylists need to stay relevant through easy-to-digest content on digital platforms. The 2022 Artistic Team will support fellow professionals by participating in educational shows and special events, teaching digital classes, and sharing their knowledge through content and expert commentary.
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