American Salon's new series spotlights leaders in the beauty industry and their real tips for finding success. First up: Justine Marjan.
LA-based celebrity stylist Justine Marjan has a beauty journey that was kickstarted like so many: from a love of hair and making things beautiful. She started out assisting her icons like Jen Atkin, when she was just starting Mane Addicts and OUAI. Her hard work paid off—Atkin recommended Marjan to Tresemmé to be their global ambassador, and from that point on, Marjan's career was on an upward spiral. Here, the beauty guru shares more about her journey and her advice to stylists that want a future as a brand ambassador.
Who were your mentors and your role models in the industry when you were starting out?
When I was first working in a salon I really looked up to Guido and knew I wanted to work backstage at fashion week. I moved to LA right when social media was in its prime and really becoming a thing. It was through social media that I gained insight into celeb stylists and I really loved following Jen Atkin, Jennifer Yepez and Kristin Ess. Before them, there were not a lot of women to look up to in the industry and I really admired that they did such beautiful work and created a name for themselves.
Tell us about was your first experience being hired by a brand.
My first big brand partnership was with Tresemmé in 2017, which led me to amazing opportunities like being a key hairstylist backstage at New York Fashion Week and two seasons of Bravo’s Project Runway. Since then, I’ve also worked with ghd, Kitsch and Great Lengths, companies that I am honored to work with and believe in so much.
What is your approach to working with brands?
I am always very excited when an opportunity comes up to work with a brand I love. My partnerships are authentic, and I wouldn’t support a brand I didn’t believe in. I was so excited when I had the opportunity to work with Great Lengths because they have such an incredible reputation, were the pioneers of the hair extension industry, and have transparency and incredible ethics when it comes to hair sourcing. It truly is a company I believe in and was excited to partner with.
What appealed to you about the brands you’re working with now?
I love the way Tresemmé has been creating space and uplifting women in the industry and women of color. When I started working with them, I was one of the very few women leading shows backstage at fashion week, and they had made a mission to have all female led teams, which they have upheld for the past five years I’ve worked with them. They also created the Future Stylist Fund as an initiative to create opportunities for aspiring black hairstylists and created one of the only texture certification courses for hairstylists. I started my career as a hairstylist by working at a British salon, so I was introduced to ghd hot tools when they first came to the American market, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I had my first ghd flat iron for seven years and it was still working great! Ghd has the most innovative technology when it comes to styling tools and is constantly working to create tools that work without compromising the integrity of the hair. As someone who is styling hair for women who need their hair styled nearly every day, this was so important to me. I want to make sure my client’s hair is healthy and shiny and that I have tools I can rely on. I was so excited to work with Great Lengths because of their amazing reputation, commitment to ethical sourcing, and the incredible quality of hair, colors and technology they use. Their keratin bond extensions are made from a synthesized keratin that mimics the keratin our hair is made of. This is amazing because it means the bonds actually expand and contract when in contact with water the same way our hair does.
What was your journey to becoming a brand ambassador like?
It’s a mutually beneficial relationship as a brand partner to further the mission of the brand in an authentic and engaging way. Many of my partnerships have started with my love of a brand and use of their products and sharing that organically.
What is your advice to someone who wants to become a brand ambassador? How do they get there in actionable ways?
Start creating content, sharing your knowledge, forge relationships in the industry, put out quality work, and be nice to everyone!
How do you balance your individual style and authenticity with the goals and vision of a brand?
Usually, the two go hand in hand. I wouldn’t work with a brand that didn’t have a vision I believe in!