Celebrity Hairstylist Justine Marjan On All Things Summer Hair

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Justine Marjan is a celebrity hairstylist best known for styling clients such as Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Olivia Culpo, and Kristin Cavallari. 

In the latest episode of our podcast, Who What Wear With Hillary Kerr, Marjan discusses her journey to becoming one of the most sought-after hairstylists in Hollywood and doing her first Fashion Week show. Keep scrolling to get a preview of our conversation, then tune in to the Who What Wear podcast to hear the whole episode.

So you moved to LA and you started assisting some amazing people like Andy Lecompte, and our friend Jen Atkin. What was that process like? Because obviously, you knew what you were doing, you had skills, but this is a different, I'm assuming level of clientele or operation. What was the biggest difference right off the bat? And then also, I feel like you probably came into assisting in LA with more experience than most people, which would probably set you up really well to move forward. Am I right in thinking that?

Yeah. I mean, I was really nervous about moving to LA and it was actually a really hard decision for me that weighed on me for a long time. I used to meditate on it. I was really, like, is this the right decision? You know, I was so nervous because I had an established career and then I was essentially moving to a city where I didn't know anyone. I was starting all over. And so I really struggled with the decision but when I wrote out my resume and started applying, I was like, why would they not hire me? Because I could do this. If you read my resume, I have the experience. And I think that that's something that can apply to anyone in any field, because I think all of us have a little bit of impostor syndrome, or sometimes we're like, Why? Why me? Why would they pick me? But then if you look, and if you're doing all of the right things, and setting yourself up, like, why wouldn't they pick you? You know? So I really struggled. But once I moved to LA, everything fell into place really quickly. And that's when I really felt like it was meant to be. So to answer your question, the world of doing editorial, freelance celebrity hairstyling is completely different from the salon world. So it was really mind blowing to me when I moved here because how people carry themselves, how the products people use, the way they style, it just is nothing you could possibly learn unless you're doing it firsthand. It was nothing like what I had, even someone like me that was taking an advanced class every six months, it's not anything you could possibly learn in that type of setting. So I really learned a lot of life skills. And I learned, you know, simple things that go a long way, like how to carry yourself how to read a room, how to read the energy in a room, how to cater to different types of personalities, or clientele. It was such an education in those few years that I spent assisting, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

Are there any situations that you get more excited about than others? Do you love a big red carpet? Would you rather do an editorial?

All of it really depends on the personalities in the shoots. Like every situation is so different. For editorials, you don't get paid, really. And so sometimes you go into it, and you're like, I have to do this, but then if it's a really creative and fun shoot, I leave being like, I'm so glad I did that because it gets your creative juices flowing. So I've had a few instances like that in the past weeks where I did an editorial and I left feeling really inspired because I was working with such talented people. And once you get your creative juices flowing, everyone's kind of like what if we do this? And what if we do that and then kind of come up with some like a masterpiece. So that's part of the fun of it is I think working with other people and getting to be creative.

You have five minutes to pack for a vacation. What are the hair products you take with you?

Oh, my gosh, the GHD Unplugged Styler because you don't need a outlet to use it. It's cordless, so that's great for travel. Tresemmé extra hold gel because I think vacation looks, like slick looks, end up working really well. So I love like a slicked bun or like sleek braids. It's really easy and you can wear it to the pool or the beach and your hair won't get frizzy. A silk pillowcase—put all your stuff in there. A detangling brush and probably hairspray. I feel like I could do anything with hairspray.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Next up, check out our previous episode featuring Bobby Schuessler.