Ulta Beauty, the nation’s leading beauty retailer and premier destination for beauty services, today announced hair and beauty expert Vernon François (@vernonfrancois) has joined its Pro Team, a collaborative group of industry leaders who bring the vision and experience of The Salon at Ulta Beauty to life.

One of the world’s most sought-after hair stylists and educators, the British-born, Los Angeles-based talent is an expert across all hair types and textures. François also serves as Global Consultant, Celebrity Hairstylist and Educator for Redken, a leading hair care brand at Ulta Beauty and key hair color services partner to The Salon at Ulta Beauty.

The Ulta Beauty Pro Teamwas established in May 2017 as a pioneering group of artists and educators from the industry’s top level of beauty brands and market relationships. Drawing on extensive expertise, the Pro Team collaborates to support the company’s community of stylists, makeup artists and skin therapists with education, trend spotting and industry-wide, leadership-level representation.

A creator of many A-list celebrity hairstyles, François’clients include Lupita Nyong'o, Solange Knowles, Serena Williams, Iman, Willow Smith, Natasha Lyonne, Ava DuVernay, Cynthia Erivo, Kerry Washington, Jaden Smith, Angela Bassett, Janelle Monae, Lil Naz X and many more.

Obsessed with hair since childhood, Vernon works with all hair textures which includes straight hair, with a keen sense of championing the versatility of Afro hair. He helps individuals worldwide erase any fear of managing their hair at home by encouraging and showing them how to embrace its shape, volume and personality.

His new role with the Ulta Beauty Pro Team will amplify the hair care education and advocacy messages he presents on behalf of himself and Redken, while customizing visuals and content via the Pro Team specifically for the Ulta Beauty community, platforms and presentations.

François will work closely with Nick Stenson, Ulta Beauty Senior Vice president, Store and Services Operations, and Anna Manukyan, Senior Director, Creative and Education, along with other members of the Pro Team to drivetrend and services development. 

“I’ve respected Vernon and his work for years, and I am excited to see this Pro Team collaboration come to life,” said Stenson. “He is an inspiring, iconic talent, and we look forward to the perspective he will bring as we create and deliver the best beauty education to our stylists.”

“Vernon’s work is always top-level, and his voice is a valuable addition to our Pro Team and to ongoing conversation around texture and inclusion,” added Manukyan. “His insights will complement the education we are building for and with our 9,000 stylists working across more than 1,350 Ulta Beauty locations throughout the country.”

François’ background in hair and accolades are extensive. Raised in a Rastafarian household, Vernon taught himself to braid, loc and twist hair at just eight years old.  At age 14 he worked at a salon on London’s Oxford Street, won Newcomer of the Year at Black Beauty Hair Awards at age 16, Black Hair Junior Stylist of the Year at 19, and was featured on the list of Top 20 Influential Black People Under 40.  

Now based in Los Angeles, François is the winner of a 2023 Hollywood Beauty Award for Hairstyling, and he was named one of Hollywood’s most influential hairstylists four years running by The Hollywood Reporter.  His work with Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o is featured in the Top 25 Beauty Moments of the Year, and his editorial styling of Serena Williams’ Vanity Fair cover grabbed global attention.

A member of the inaugural Ulta Beauty Muse 100, François is a judge for Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards as well as the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA). Additionally, NAHA has appointed him to its advisory committee.

François’ work graces the pages of VOGUE, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Allure, Glamour, V, i-D, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Essence and more.  His presence is highly visible at red carpet events including The Academy Awards, Met Gala, SAG Awards, Golden Globes and Hollywood film premieres.  

Watch for Vernon François’ presence and visual influence on upcoming collaborations from the Ulta Beauty Pro Team.