Michelle Forst’s first salon job as an assistant turned into a life-changing opportunity. There she met her current employer, celebrity hairdresser George Gonzalez, who was impressed with her cutting and styling skills and hired her for the opening of his George the Salon in Chicago.
by Staff
April 17, 2012
2 min to read
Michelle Forst’s first salon job as an assistant turned into a life-changing opportunity. There she met her current employer, celebrity hairdresser George Gonzalez, who was impressed with her cutting and styling skills and hired her for the opening of his George the Salon in Chicago. The best part? She got to split her time between the salon and Oprah Winfrey’s HARPO Productions where she is now Rosie O’Donnell’s stylist for The Rosie Show.
Ad Loading...
ABOUT ME
BORN AND RAISED: Elmhurst, Illinois
MY STYLE NOW: Anything black.
MY FAVORITE TREND EVER: The high ballerina bun.
THE BEST SONGS ON MY IPOD: The new Rihanna song, Cheers.
Ad Loading...
MY BEST VACATION: St. John’s, it was amazing to share a beautiful place with family—and fun to be an “adult” having pina coladas with my parents. OMG wish I was there now!
MY PERFECT DAY: A good night’s rest, a hot, hot cup of coffee, 90210, a long run and workout, and a beach.
THE BEST THING ABOUT MY JOB: The clients I get to see every day. They have watched me and grown with me, and have taught me so much.
THE TOUGHEST PART OF MY JOB: My feet tingling at the end of each day—but it feels good knowing I have worked hard!
IF I HADN’T BECOME A HAIRDRESSER: I would have been a doctor or in some sort of medical sales—maybe a nurse because you still get one-on-one interaction.
Ad Loading...
MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN: I am a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
I BECAME A HAIRDRESSER: Because nothing else made sense. I just love hair.
Celebrating 60 years in haircare, Dippity-Do is honoring its styling heritage with its Girls with Curls collection, a reimagined Light Hold Gelée inspired by the brand's original 1965 styling gel.
Covet & Mane has expanded its Pro Color System with the launch of Color Boost Drops, completing what the company says is the first professional color system engineered specifically for hair extensions.
The 2026 Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award has been awarded to Sam Villa for his trailblazing contribution, advocacy and mentorship that has profoundly transformed and elevated the professional beauty industry.
Curl Cult founder Janine Jarman, a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and product creator, is opening a community investment round that gives hairdressers and clients the opportunity to own a stake in the company they helped grow.
Aura Salonware is proud to announce its 2026 scholarship recipients. This first-time scholarship in partnership with the Professional Beauty Association awarded three different scholarships to support beauty professionals at every point in their professional journey.
SalonCentric has announced its expansion into Alaska, marking the distributor’s presence across all 50 states and bringing additional access to professional beauty products, education and business support to licensed salon professionals in the region.
Though their Astronaut of Hope collection of brushes and clips, ERGO Styling Tools raises $33,000 to support HairToStay, the first and only national nonprofit dedicated to making scalp cooling treatments affordable for cancer patients.
At the America’s Beauty Show press conference—hosted in collaboration with Cosmetologists Chicago—these standout professionals were recognized for their contributions to the industry.
A full day of education for hairstylists and salon pros focused on pricing, personal branding, client experience, social media, and long-term career growth.
amika's new Stylist Circle is a community-first model designed to reflect and support the full spectrum of today's working stylists. Find out how you can join.