The World’s Best Vivid Color Artist: Rebecca Taylor
Rebecca Taylor tells us how her life of color transformed her work and her life. A story of discovery, and US Lifestyle Magazine is here for it. We asked her about her life, her work and her transformation.
IN HER OWN WORDS:
My name is Rebecca Taylor, I’ll be 41 in July. I was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but moved to NW Florida when I was pretty young and spent about 30 years there. I grew up an only child until I was 20…my little brother was born then but I was LONG out of the house by then doing my own thing. I was always a creative kid, interested in drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I loved music, art and people.
REBECCA TAYLOR
AGAINST ODDS:
I’ve always been kind of a non-conformist, ‘alternative’ thinking/dressing kind of individual. Even in VERY conservative NW Florida (which pretty much bordered Alabama as a reference, not Miami Florida FLORIDA) I felt like an outsider in a way. I was the overweight kid, the poor kid, the kid with gapped teeth…I had it ALL going on. I got bullied a lot even before I had identity. Then I begin to identify a lot more with the alternative scene, music but also in my case…partying, ditching school and the like.
A STORY OF DISCOVERY:
Several years after high school I found what I now know to be my calling and what I feel like has channeled my creativity and helped me make a pretty amazing life for myself- Cosmetology School.
REBECCA TAYLOR
Since becoming a stylist 18 years ago, I’ve been an educator for 15 years of that time, have gone from never leaving the country to traveling to 38 countries teaching my craft, moved to Hollywood 7 years ago to work with tops brands and as an independent educator, been named as the World’s Best Vivid Color Artist by Glamour Magazine in 2016, being on Good Morning America, 600,000+ on Instagram and all kinds of other cool shit that has stroked my ego.
But besides all of those amazing opportunities that I’ve been very grateful for…I’ve also gotten pretty close to losing a lot of what I’ve been worked very hard over the years to build for myself due to putting myself on the back burner and shelving past trauma and addiction that was untreated since pretty much the age of 14-15 years old.
I’m proud to say that I have a sobriety date of December 2nd, 2020 and not only do I get to share my CRAFT with my industry/peers/on my platform but also my story. I’m very open because I know I’m not the only stylist who is an overachiever, who has trouble sometimes implementing boundaries, who takes ‘people-pleasing’ to the max and who has the tendency to put our own needs last. It happens, it happened to me and it took my industry shutting down due to the pandemic for me to take the time FINALLY to focus on my recovery, mental health and wellness to make the necessary changes.
So, the way my industry has brought me back full circle is just to appreciate the little things, the creative process, the PEOPLE and to focus on my own wellness.
ABOUT HER WORK:
How do you celebrate a diverse stylistic American lifestyle?
American culture SHOULD be a celebration of diversity. Our different backgrounds and cultures are what makes us unique and different. Our differences are what make us beautiful.
In my studio- I work with all textures of hair and I share that on my page. Potential clients feel represented and know that whatever color service they’re interested in, I’ve got them!
WORK BY REBECCA TAYLOR
What products are you currently using?
I use so many different brands, it’s going to be hard to list.
F18, Redken, Pulp Riot, K18, ENJOY, several different hair extension lines.
How do you select color?
I select color for my individual client via a consultation. I do this based on several different variables- complexion, eye color, longevity, intuition, straight up creative expression, at-home care.
As far as creatively, I get my inspiration everywhere. Nature, fashion, animals, the sky, food….quite literally anywhere and everywhere. And because of the kind of color I do, my options are limitless. Any color I see, I can create using hair as my canvas.
How would you define your design esthetic?
Elevated fashion color. If I’m doing an ’unnatural color’ or some vivid fashion tone, I literally want it to look like a work of art on someone’s head.
It comes down to shade choices, blending, precision application, rinsing, etc.
What are your clients looking for?
A lot of my clients come to me for major transformation sessions. Many travel to me from out of state. Some of these appointments can be from 6-10 hours in one session and require really tedious color corrections, black to platinum transformations, color and extension sessions, etc.
I honestly love these kinds of services…I have patience/stamina and the type of strategic, problem solving brain for long appoints and color corrections. I LOVE the big reveal after…really delivering for my clients and making their week/month/year (depending on the situation).
What are the future plans?
Honestly, I’ve accomplished so many rad things already in the industry that I never thought were possible when I was first coming up in my career. For so long I bought into this hustle-culture and said soo many times ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’. *cringe*
WORK BY REBECCA TAYLOR
Right now I’m really happy with the trajectory of my career, which is just educating part time, taking clients part time, taking ALL the weekends off and really, truly enjoying myself…not burning myself out.
What advice can you give others?
BOUNDARIES. It took me until I was 40 to start implementing these things and holy shit the difference they’ve made in my life. It’s not easy, especially if it’s new for you…but man the difference it’ll make with your stress and anxiety level.
Who inspires you?
People who exhibit kindness, humility, their truth and strength even when it’s not easy. That inspires me.
What can you tell us about your customer?
My client values communication, honesty and they know we can talk through any questions/comments/concerns they ever have regarding their hair. It’s never just a ‘you want the usual’ kind of appointment…we talk through it.
My client also values HEALTHY hair and knows that good hair is healthy hair and healthy hair takes time.
My clients are openminded, inclusive, hilarious badasses…I’m very fortunate to love the folks that choose to come to see me for their hair.
How would you define your personal style?
My personal style is very fitting to my mood. It could be vintage cords and a metal band t-shirt one day, a sundress another day and a sweatsuit another day. It’s a bleach stained sweatsuit most days…who am I kidding!?
What has been your experience in the industry?
My experience has been very eclectic. I started in a Regis in the mall in Florida to developing my own color line, to being the Director of International Education for a leading product line, I’ve been a salon owner twice…so many other roles and opportunities in between. The one constant for me has always been education. Between constantly trying to stay fresh through learning new techniques and pushing myself and through marketing myself through all the different social media platforms over the years…I think those were the two most vital vehicles which have kept me evolving over the years.
How do you see the future of American style?
My hope is that it becomes even more culturally diverse, inclusive and multifaceted and that there is no question by anyone…. that’s the way it should be.
BEFOR AND AFTER, WORK BY REBECCA TAYLOR
What do you feel are the next decades essential hair elements to include?
Cultural representation of hairstyles without social or political input. Meaning you’re not discriminated against for your hairstyle…. it’s based on your performance. Locs/braids, etc have nothing to do with your character or your performance in the workplace, school, institution, etc. It would be really nice (and necessary) to see these changes made.
