Ashleigh Marie

Introduce Yourself.

I am a colorist, extensionist and beauty blogger bouncing around from LA/NYC/ and Montreal.  I’m a born and raised LA native with an obsession to all things beauty, specifically hair.  I specialize in bright blondes, dimensional brunettes and seamless extensions that are all low maintenance requiring only a 3/4 month sessions.

How did you get into hair? 

I first was introduced to color when I was six and started coloring my own hair after ogling the Victoria Secret catalogues my mom received in the mail.  After giving everyone in my family makeovers, I soon found the opportunity to attend beauty school while in high school and jumped into the program.  I earned my cosmetology license before graduating high school. It was my fascination with beauty that lead me to Beverly Hills to mentor under some of the biggest celebrity stylist.

What’s your hair philosophy? 

Less is more.  I believe processing the hair less, meaning ditching old over highlighted locks for a more dimensional, low maintenance look is better not just for your hair, but your pocket book and your time.  And time is money!  As much as I would love to see my lady’s lovely faces every 6-8 weeks, it is better to let the hair rest and let some of the root grow so you have dimension to work with.

When it comes to extensions, I install keratin bond extensions individually to match the density of your hair.  Meaning, I don’t add more hair to your hair than what it can handle to keep it healthy.  When you attach bonds that are too large for the section of hair, traction alopecia can occur where the follicle can’t handle the added weight it must support and goes dormant.  I try to get my clients to see extensions as a short term solution, to look at what the underlying cause for the hair loss is.  Most of my clients actually transition out of regular extension use to growing their own real hair and kicking them all together.  I don’t believe in long term use, and I really pride myself in being a stylist who cares for the health of your hair and for you as a person.

What advice would you give to girls that don’t live in LA on how to find a colorist and take care of your hair?

So we are lucky to live in LA where most of the top colorist live, but if you don’t live in LA, I would suggest to do your research. Instagram is a great tool to find a stylist with work you love and I would search hashtags in your area to do so. Something like #chicagohair #sfhairstyist #seattlehaircolor to find someone local, but be aware of IG’s who’s photos look filtered.  I never filter any of my photos on IG because I am selling color and tone that are altered when a filter is add and I believe doing so is false advertising.  Go with someone who seems genuine and the photos look real.

I recommend to all my clients to take supplements and have a diet high in the vitamins and nutrients to feed your hair.  This can be a multivitamin or eating a healthy diet to a hair pill, either way it’s about consistency and having strong hair start from the inside.

What are your favorite hair products and why?

How do you stay healthy? 

I am a big believer in the philosophy that beauty starts from within.  Meaning mind, body and soul are connected and will radiate outward.

So at the top of the health pyramid is the mind, so I like to keep my mind sharp by having a balance between work and life as well as a career that is fulfilling my sense of purpose.  I also like to read at night and wind down turning off my phone once I hit the shower and really see it as a spa experience to pamper myself and read a good book before going to bed.  Good sleep is essential and I get a minimum  of 8 hours a night in a cold, dark room.  I also go to therapy regularly, which I have been doing for 8 years.

I really feel like when you are at peace mentally you have such a positive energy that really looks beautiful.

My body I keep sharp by starting with a big jug of lemon water I put on my nightstand the night before and finish before I am allowed to look at my phone.  I try to work out first thing in the morning, fasted and usually about 6/7 am.  I like circuit training classes, pilates, yoga; gym workouts 5 days a week.  I try to eat a low carb paleo diet 80% of the time with 3 cheat meals a week approximately unless I am on vacation.  I like to ensure I am fueling my body with a variety of nutrients; but I find that organic whole foods, and protein works best for me.

As far as my soul I try to do as much as I can for others and practice kindness.  I think disconnecting from phones and connecting with others and serving them is what life is about.  I find that dancing, going for a hike, and meditating really revives my spirit.

Favorite spots in LA? 

Food:

Belcampo, In n Out, Sweetgreen, Erewhon.

Nightlife:

Soho House, Nice Guy, Ysabel

Beauty treatment where you get the most bang for your buck?

I swear by my regular facials, it has literally changed my life.  I’ve been plagued with skin issues from hormonal fluctuations and my estheticians has helped me face the world when I didn’t feel so pretty.  I get dermal infusion facials every 3 weeks which is customizes for my skin’s needs at the moment. Her IG: skincarebysophia.

Favorite trends for summer? 

Dimensional hair color, thick looking hair, headbands, hair clips.

What are the last 3 things you bought?