Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it’s essential for success in the professional beauty industry. A curious stylist rises to the top like cream and can even become multi-talented, which makes them more marketable.
Ruth Roche, Artistic Ambassador for Pureology Serious Colour Care, interviews one of the industry’s most curious talents, Michael Devellis, Founder of The Powder Group, on his innovative business and passion for helping others fill their curiosity.
“Budgets are tight, so multi-talented people are being hired to fill numerous rolls –makeup artists that do hair and hairstylists that do makeup– because it’s cheaper to hire one person than two. Michael offers unconventional education to both makeup artists and hairstylists that help them cross over,” says Roche. “One of his motto’s is, ‘be curious about your career‘ – he wants to inspire people by helping them develop new sets of skills that encourage them to take unconventional, fresh and passionate approaches to growth. I know, others have claimed to do the same, but The Powder Group actually delivers.”
Roche is a facilitator of The Styling Sessions – a 5-day course designed to give makeup artists insight into the careers of 5 established stylists. The last session included Johnny Lavoy, Michael Duenas, William Edge, Daven Mayeda and Roche. “True, we aren’t makeup artists, but there are many parallels between the two, and learning specific techniques from stylists will make them curious about what they can adapt to promote their success and enhance their marketability,” adds Roche.
Imagine being able to do hair and makeup for shoots, stage or salon work… having the freedom to creatively execute both at the same time is powerful. “Michael knows what he’s doing – he continues to make me curious about my career too… which I in turn try to pass on to others in my sharing,” says Roche.
Roche specializes in design/finishing trends and business – she’s as captivating in front of thousands as she is in an intimate in-salon setting. She is the winner of multiple North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) awards and has contributed to Milady’s Standard Textbook of Cosmetology. Stylists from around the world learn, grow and fuel their creative fire with her. She is an established celebrity stylist (Anne Hathaway, Claire Danes, Amy Adams, Pink, Jenna Fischer, Mariah Carey…) and maintains a loyal clientele at RARE Salon in NYC, where she is both founder and creative director.