Name a trend you have pinned on your hair moodboard (e.g. space buns, bubble ponytails, or jeweled accents) and chances are high that those pics came straight from Justine Marjan’s IG. For beauty lovers everywhere, Justine Marjan is a household name and the go-to stylist for our favorite It-girls. And as the ultimate multi-hyphenate, she has pretty much done it all.
Apart from styling today’s mega stars (she counts Ashley Graham, Khloe Kardashian, and Kendall Jenner as clients), she’s spearheaded the hair looks for New York Fashion Week’s biggest shows, is a brand ambassador for TRESemmé and Fenty Hair, and has her own hair collection with Kitsch. But even with the accolades, it’s her love—and unmatched skill—for hair styling that really drives her.
“I love being able to be a part of the process of what makes a woman look and feel her best,” Marjan tells Beautycon. “I love seeing the story of an entire look come together.”
Below, Marjan talks about her journey as one of the top hairstylists in the industry and what she’s looking forward to at this year’s Beautycon. Read on to learn more.
How did you find yourself wanting to be a hairstylist?
Justine Marjan: I’ve always loved beauty, art, and fashion but never knew that being a hairstylist the way I am was a career that existed. Actually, it didn’t exist when I was growing up. I loved doing everyone’s hair growing up, whether that was braiding my friends hair before sports, or cutting and dying all my friends’ hair in our garages as a teen. When I was 18 I was randomly looking for a job and there was a salon across the street from the bus stop I used to go to that looked cool. I walked in and applied for a job and was hired immediately as a receptionist. Through working there I discovered that someone did hair for red carpets, editorials, and runway shows and I was so inspired. I decided to go to cosmetology school.
How did you make sure to create your own lane as a hairstylist?
JM: I always did what worked for me and didn’t follow any linear career path. I started building my career right when social media started becoming a thing and I really used it to market and promote myself. It was through social media that I ended up booking most of my clients and creating relationships with brands. I’ve always used the fact that I love social media to my advantage and it also allows me to use all the other creative tools that I love- like photography, art, and video.
In the era of beauty TikTok and having a viral moment, how have you adapted to the changing social media landscape?
JM: This is always a struggle because social media is always changing. Sometimes I feel like I’ve cracked the code and sometimes I feel like I can’t figure it out. I just try to post what makes me happy and inspired and showcases my work in the best way possible.
What’s been the hardest thing to deal with as a hairstylist?
JM: The uncertainty of a freelance career [and] not knowing why another artist booked a job over you or why a client stopped working with you. It happens to everyone and it’s always a tough pill to swallow.
What does beauty mean to you?
JM: Confidence.
What hair trends do you predict will be big for winter 2024?
JM: The French girl bob, Bardot style updos, Jane Birkin Bangs, Warm copper shades, mixed metal hair accessories
Any haircare or hair styling TikTok trends that you want to dispel?
JM: Wash your hair more often! It’s a myth that stretching out the time between washes is healthier for your hair. If your hair feels dirty, wash it.
What are you most excited about for this year’s Beautycon? What do you hope people take away from your masterclass?
JM: I am so excited because so many people I love will be there this year, like Dana Patterson, Jonathan Van Ness, and Marianna Hewitt. I hope people leave my masterclass feeling excited and inspired to try something new with hair and empowered to do their favorite looks themselves.
What advice do you have for turning your passion into a career?
JM: Find people doing what you want to be doing and work for them. Stay focused, be patient and don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
What are your five desert island beauty products?
JM: Tower28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, Fenty Hair The Richer One Hair Mask, TRESemmé Mega Control Gel, Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm, Emi Jay Claw Clips.
What’s the best hair care advice/beauty advice you’ve ever received?
JM: Don’t just follow trends, find what works best for you and what makes you feel your best. Beauty isn’t one size fits all.
