My Background

Wow... Where to start?! Lets see. Growing up, like every other girl, I had Barbies. I didn't care for the play time with them, but more of the "how they look" type of deal. Even at 5 or 6 years old I would take the kitchen scissors (in secret of course) and style their hair. I didn't care about the big fancy mansions they came with. I only wanted to make sure they were in style! Obviously, being that young, it wasn't my best work, but I must say I should have listened to my gut about the talent I had.

Fast forward. Jr high. My poor hair stylist at the time. I'm obsessed with color and I started to experiment on my own head. Lets face it, what teenager would let their friend touch their hair? Even if they were all for it the parents always interfered. Which led me to my own head. Thankfully I had a mom who was supportive! I never did any strange cuts but the colors were really out there! After multiple mistakes, my hairstylist finally taught me (at 11 years old) how to color my hair, and how it all works. Obviously, a short lesson but I lesson that taught me A LOT! After hundreds of tries and studying on my own online I got really good at it.

High school days... By the end of senior year I colored many of my friends and even my moms friend hair. I wouldn't say I was an expert but I new what I was doing. I think I only had one disaster, which is a miracle for not being licensed. After high school I got married and went to college. Why the hell did I not go to beauty school?! I didn't think there was a career in beauty, so I followed what everyone else was doing... And I failed miserably. Still though, I didn't think twice about going to cosmetology school.

It took me several fails in college or the work force to realize what I was meant to do. Finally at age 24 I took the leap to attend Paul Mitchell The School, Sherman Oaks, CA. Within hours of my first day I felt like I belonged. My calling. I knew what I was meant to do with my life. I became obsessed! Outside of class I would even do my own homework because I couldn't get enough. Also because of all the teachings my hairstylist taught me I was pretty advance in coloring. I met some great people and inspirations. Can I just say I was and still am HOOKED!

Unfortunately when my husband and I decided to extend out little family I got extremely sick. Not just the typical morning sickness but EXTREME morning sickness. I was tiny before I got pregnant and I lost 35 pounds instead of gaining. In and out of the hospital for 8 months, puking non stop. It was so bad, I can't emphasize enough what I went through, which led me to drop out a little over half way through. That was a hard time for me. It should have been a happy time for me but when you have to put your passion and love on hold, it takes a toll on you. The plan was I would be finished with school before the baby arrived but God had other plans for me. Which in the end being a mom has by far been the best gift I could ever have asked for! (I won't get all mushy on you).

So... Finally after becoming a mom and adjusting back to "normal" life I am headed back to Paul Mitchell to finish my long lost dream. I have to admit though, just because I took a break from school, I haven't exactly stopped practicing hair on friends and family. How can you stop when you love what you are doing?

-Autumn Lynn
September 2014