Meet Andee Hoos | Curly Hair Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andee Hoos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andee, what is the most important factor behind your success?
People are tired of the societal expectations, especially when it comes to beauty. People really want to show up in their everyday spaces as their true authentic selves. They want to wear their natural texture and their natural color, especially if they have grey or silver hair. These folks typically don’t know how to feel good in their own skin without having to change, deny, or fit into someone else’s idea of what beauty is. Some of the harshest critics are friends, family, and their spouses. I offer a refuge and for some the permission to be exactly who they are. I educate curly folks not only how to get the best out of their curls through education, I also encourage people to stop coloring their hair. I am a big silver hair cheerleader. The main focus of my service is to show people the ease of healthy hair care. As a hairstylist my most obvious job is to give someone a great haircut and I absolutely strive to do that, however to me that’s the small picture- the big picture is to be the guide that encourages them to be healthy and happy just as they are. It’s honestly a big reason my studio is called Corruption. I am corrupting people into loving their natural texture, color, and healthy hair. Unfortunately, this is not a common staple in the beauty industry. Starting in beauty school we are not educated on curly hair except how to change it, flatten it, and control it…everything except how to enhance its natural beauty.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What I noticed most when I first started getting more curly haired folks in my chair than straight haired folks is that not only were they trying to get a cut that enhanced their curls and didn’t end in a triangle shape they also didn’t know how to give their curls longevity and end the dreaded frizz. This started a decade long deep dive into products. I read as much as I could and eliminated products that had ingredients that were either non-water soluble and/or toxic and watched as people’s hair health changed for the better and that created a domino effect of people telling me their routine became easier, they didn’t have as much hair shedding, and the best part is that over time they became curlier. As a stylist you typically get wooed by specific hair brands and only carry one or maybe two full lines of product. I absolutely started that way as well until I started to notice some products were creating negative effects on the hair. I also started reading about specific ingredients on the internet and comparing to see if these ingredients were inside the products I was currently carrying. I started avoiding ingredients that I found building up on the hair and also ingredients that could be toxic not only to me, but to my clients. This led me down a giant rabbit hole of clean beauty. This had become one of the things I’m know for from my curly colleagues and from my growing list of clients. It’s not an easy task convincing others that 90% of products aren’t healthy for your body or your hair. I still get lots of resistance from my own family and friends. It hasn’t stopped me from pursing clean beauty at the salon or in my own home. I personally know a few stylists battling health issues due to the products we use on a regular basis that their bodies can no longer tolerate. The proof is in the hair and in the lives which are made better by using products that not only improve someone’s hair health, but also don’t negatively impact someones overall health. I am obsessed in bettering my clients health by educating them to read labels and use apps that help them decipher the ingredients in everything they use. I am no longer blindly attached to any brands. I choose products strictly based on their ingredients, efficacy, and sustainability practices. Most people in my industry don’t know what’s in the products that they use on themselves and on their clients, I’m hoping to change this awareness and encourage clients and fellow hairdressers to be curious and evaluate what they themselves are using by taking a look at all the products their using in their homes and in the salon. Most are so suprised by what’s “allowed” by the government. Currently the US has banned 11 ingredients opposed to the EU which has banned more than 1300 different chemicals. Legistation will likely take years or decades to change if ever so that’s why I encourage people to take action to educate themselves and not wait for someone else to tell them that they’re products are filled with ingredients that cause skin conditions, asthma, infertility, migraines, lung irritation, and cancer.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely go to the mountains! A drive and potential hike in Rocky Mountain National Park or Horsetooth Reservoir. We would absolutely make a stop at Josh and John’s for some of my favorite Ice Cream. Plan a day at the Discovery Museum with our kids in tow and eat at Beau Jo’s for a true Colorado pizza experience. I love shopping in downtown Ft. Collins for fun gifts.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is tough as I have been educated by so many talented people. Starting in beauty school I received a great foundation in cutting from Irma Lucas. Such an amazing and talented barber who gave me the tools necessary to start in this industry, incredible support, and told us many stories that inspired me beyond the chair. Before Corruption Hair Studio for 12 years I co-owned a salon with Shanette Medina who is a very skilled hairdresser who taught me so many things that has impacted my craft. The best group of people that still I draw inspiration, new techniques, and encouragement from are the other talented curl specialists I know all over the world and have met at curl classes or online. These are my invisible co-workers that I can call, text, or DM whenever I need help with a client question or a simple pick me up.

Website: www.corruptionhairstudio.com

Instagram: @corruptionhairstudio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corruptionhairstudio