Meet Rachel Whitney | Hairstylist and Color Expert

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

Hi Rachel, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
The thing that stands out most in my mind that I’d love for outsiders to know about the beauty industry, but specifically hairstylists, is that we are an extremely intelligent and hard working group of people all across the board. We all are very different and no two of us are alike. But one thing many of us share is the drive to make people happy by executing our work to the fullest extent that our talent and skill will allow. We sacrifice our bodies for a hard days work. Our bodies are hurting but we are also adding numbers and creating formulas to make sure that your hair comes out firstly exactly how you want it to come out, but mostly how we expect it to. How we know it can. We aren’t playing hairstylist. As cliché as it may sound we are truly pouring ourselves into our craft. And I think that if you asked any successful hairstylist this question, they’d answer the same.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is the most important thing to me. I find it deeply within my identity. Although I’d consider myself to have a natural talent for hair I wasn’t always the skilled professional I am today. I am unique in the way that I have let little stop me in my career. I have worked in dull places and shined anyways. I am educated yet self taught in many ways. I attribute a lot of what I know and how I achieve success to seeking knowledge for myself and not just taking what I was given. It hasn’t been easy. Lots of 12 hour days, a little failure, and a lot of trial and error. I have been humbled a time or two. But I have also not let those things discourage me. I have tried only to learn from them and to be better. What I would like most for people to know about me and what I’ve created for myself is that I’m a hard worker. I have been taught to never give up. And it’s in my soul to persevere and to create amazing hair. And above all else it is in me to not only make people love the way their hair looks but to also inspire them to feel confident. I can’t particularly say that my career itself has had too many challenges other than understanding patience…but I believe my life has had many personal challenges that have made me pour myself into my job and that has created what I am today.

What sets me apart, in my opinion, is my vision for a client and my ability to give people what they desire. And I truly believe that is part listening and hearing people when they are speaking. But it is also part being able to decipher what someone is telling me and being able to deliver with the knowledge I have.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Firstly, we’d start with a trip outside of the city. We are in Colorado, right? A two or three day getaway to a cabin in Estes Park sounds wonderful. Or maybe the Stanley Hotel? Once we get back to the city, of course we have to hit up a good brunch spot. I love mimosas and rarely get to brunch so this would be a treat for me as well. I think we’d spend some time at some local attractions such as the Denver Zoo, the Botanic Gardens, or my most favorite the Museum of Nature and Science. And honestly, as a homebody I think we’d spend the rest of our time at home cooking our meals, laughing, and catching up. I also know if anyone came to visit me they’d want to get plenty of time in with my dog. His names Papa..and you wouldn’t believe how often I am greeted with, “is papa here?!” I’m chop liver! I think we’d end the week at a nice dinner. One of my favorite places is Bastiens on east colfax. I’d love to sit in a dim lit restaurant having an amazing steak dinner with a delicious gin martini catching up with a friend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had a lot of help along the way. My parents come to mind when I think of support and giving credit where credit is due. They’ve never given up on me once in this life. They’ve always pushed me to seek my full potential. They’ve always had my best interest in their hearts and I would be way behind in this life if it weren’t for them. Secondly, I’d like to specially recognize all the talented stylists I’ve met in my career. I’ve been shaped by you and you’ve contributed to my many talents and skill sets that I’ve acquired. My current coworkers, Molly and Aspen, have really made me feel at home as I was entering the second decade of my career and have pushed me to be the best that I can be. And lastly my best friend Samantha, who passed away in 2017. I am reminded every day that life is for living and that it is short no matter how long it lasts. Her memory reminds me that we do not all have the same chances in this life and that I want to be my best every chance that I get.

Website: Salonluciddenver.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/rachelthehairslayer?utm_medium=copy_link

Image Credits
Halle took the professional photos of me and the girls at the shop her ig link is https://instagram.com/hallemadeleine?utm_medium=copy_link