Today we’d like to introduce you to Jin Bang.
Hi Jin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Career Beginnings & Training
Jin Bang began his career in 1998 at just 14 years old, when he was scouted as an apprentice at Pr @Partners under renowned colorist Michael Handsinger and London’s best stylist, Sean Stredwick (TIGI North America). During this time, he perfected his techniques under the tutelage of Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy Concepts.
By 2002, Jin started teaching academy-based seminars for Pr @Partners and later for Bumble & Bumble, educating stylists throughout Washington, D.C., and the Northeast region of the U.S. During this time, he also worked at fashion and education events in London, Paris, Barcelona, Seoul, Tokyo, Mexico City, Amsterdam, and Buenos Aires.
Privé & Celebrity Styling
In 2005, Laurent Dufourg & Franck Izqueirdo( IGK HAIR) legendary stylists from Jose Eber and Privé Salons in Los Angeles, recruited Jin as a lead educator for Privé Products. With Privé Salon and Privé Products, Jin traveled extensively, working with celebrity clients, including:
Demi Lovato, Busy Philipps, Shannon Doherty, Monica Lewinsky, Winter Zoli (Sons of Anarchy), Robert Bryer (My Chemical Romance), Kenny Johnson (SWAT, Sons of Anarchy), Jordana Brewster (Fast & Furious), Jennifer Morrison (House), Susan Sullivan (Castle), Tom Welling (Smallville)
Kim Kardashian, Chris Humphries (NBA), DJ Cedric Gervais, Cathy Guetta (DJ David Guetta), Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black), Andra Day, Mickey Guyton, Ludwika Paleta, Dominka Paleta (Televisa), Eugenia Debayle (Mexico City), Nikki Leigh (Playboy), Erendira Ibarra (Televisa), and many more.
Balayage, Natural Beauty & Industry Innovation
In 2010, Jin left Privé and partnered at Shades Natural Color Studio with Philip Wolff, mastering Balayage techniques using Kemon Color, one of the most advanced natural hair color lines in the industry.
Soon after, Jeff Orrell, Senior VP of NEUMA Beauty, recruited Jin to help spearhead the first USDA NOP-certified natural styling line for professional salons, revolutionizing eco-friendly hair care.
Runway, Latin America & Editorial Work
In 2013, Tabatha Coffey selected Jin for her LUXHAIR styling team. At ABS Chicago, Jin and his team presented a fashion runway collection that amazed the industry, winning Best Runway at ABS Chicago 2013.
Following this, Jin expanded into Latin America, consulting for JOSS CLAUDE, a luxury salon concept in Mexico City. He built relationships with top-tier runway, editorial, and celebrity clients, working with Condé Nast, Vogue (Latin America & Italy), Harper’s BAZAAR, InStyle, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Glamour, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Modern Salon, Behind the Chair, OK Magazine, People, L.A. Fashion Week (LAFW), New York Fashion Week (NYFW), and Hollywood Beauty Awards.
Smashbox Cosmetics & Living Proof Academy
In 2014, Lori Taylor Davis (Smashbox Cosmetics) and Davis Factor (founder of Smashbox Studios & Smashbox Cosmetics, Estée Lauder) hired Jin as Lead Hair Stylist for Smashbox Cosmetics. Over the next seven years, Jin led makeup campaigns, editorial fashion shoots, and beauty brand launches for Estée Lauder’s Smashbox division.
Jin was later recruited by Living Proof Academy as part of their International Education Team, specializing in advanced haircutting and styling techniques. He also became Director of Education for Enso Tools (Cocco Hair Pro, FHI Heat).
Tool Industry & Textured Hair Education
By 2018, Jin expanded his expertise into the professional tool industry, leading textured hair education for major brands, including Bronner Brothers, Design Essentials, Mizani, and TIGI Cosmetology Schools North America. His work in shears, blow dryers, and styling tools from Korea helped modernize salon education and professional techniques.
Present & Future – Beverly Hills & Northern Virginia
Jin Bang now offers luxury hair styling services at:
Brighton Salon – Beverly Hills, CA (Elite Celebrity Hair Stylist)
Part time at private appointments in Vienna, VA
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Hahhahaha smooth road.. Life is never smooth nor with creatives in the work space but that’s what makes us human and engaging in the growth of our purpose. The struggle is always real as 2pac Shakur would say.. Starting so young in the business at 14 yrs of age, reality wasn’t real for me. I was hand picked by some of the greats in the industry and as they say with age comes wisdom… At 14yrs old there is no age or wisdom just to do… I was always the youngest on every team I ever worked on, also being Korean American in the early 2000s, straight in a mainly women, colorful demographic . I was an anomaly and minority everywhere I looked. I was constantly tested by my peers and audience…
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Wow, that is an interview question!
When it comes to salon work, it’s my speed and accuracy,…. I can color grey hair, Balayage ( highlights) natural soft blonde tones with a cut, texturize and contour the hair to the individual and style one’s hair in under 2-2.5 hours…. Without damaging the integrity of hair……
Due to modern technology I was using by the Koreans prior to covid , tools and techniques coloring..was a gamechanger…
What I was known for in the industry as a whole.. Would be my passion for education… I was the first Korean American celebrity stylist to educate for the luxury white mainstream salons( Prive/Loreal/ Wella/ Living Proof and textured hair shows… ( Bronner Brothers/ Black/ Latino Salons..)
What sets me apart? Back to the previous question… I am now close to my mid forties… I started so young and worked with so many amazing talented stylists from so many different perspectives of beauty, hair and global influence… I can really honorably say I can cut, color and style just anyone’s hair… ‘I’m officially in my mid terms’.. Hair is hair.. People are people.. Do you have the awareness to understand the person in front of you to match their perspective vision? Taste, fine art.. It’s not taught…either you have the eye or you trained the eye to understand the balance of perception and perspective of everyone’s individuality of how they want to be looked at into this now reality.. And it changes and flows like the currant of water.. Think right now music is disco, wide leg baggy jeans.. Hair is distressed and fun, vibrant colors, mullets, volume curls.. People don’t want the “look” anymore….but can you enhance what they currently have…do you have a vision for them….
For my momma,
Winning the awards, movie sets, to keeping up with Kardashian shows wasn’t the trophy or my , “MOST PROUD MOMENT “….it was building a private international network where I can literally make a call and ask a fellow stylist mate, “ I have client they are you in your city for 36 hours, can you style them?”. To give clients an experience out of their city or town that is kept private, luxury and to have a local inside info..That would be my proudest moment To know I have a league of international beauty friends in almost every major fashion city in the world and to have my clients get the same VIP treatment…That is the celebrity status vip treatment for all my clients….. That is what I am most proud of is my network for global beauty and professionalism…
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Mmmm to clients.. Good luck finding the right stylist.. Internet has taught everyone in the game how to catch fish….. Read, study business pages and reviews … Personal referrals are always stronger than ever… It’s going back to the old school… if you are in a salon for 3-5 hours, that’s way too long for any service..…If the stylist can’t get you to your look in 2-3 appointments try someone new! You have a specialist that only does one thing..True luxury experience does it all with the respect of time….. Time is your money… spend it wisely with respect to the consumer to business and vice versa.
To the new generation of stylists… if you’re starting out….fear is a great feeling.. It’s your soul reminding you how much you can learn! Education is everwhere.. The problem with too much content and education is where do you begin with and don’t be a theorist… be the practitioner … If you are in transition learn the tech and marketing end of business.If your towards the mid chapter/ feeling you calves ache when you wake up the next morning due to standing all day doing hair… respect your body.. DO YOGA AND PT (Physical therapy)? I don’t have time.. Make the time!
Lastly.. Be nice, be kind.. Even if you don’t know the individual in front of you or understand their reality or perspective.. Try,… we live in a beautiful world if you choose.. Choose wisely, with light., love and respect to all.. DON”T BE A JERK.. I’f can’t say anything nice DON”T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.
Pricing:
- Women’s Cut + Blow Out | $200+
- Men’s Cut | $100+
- Highlights Partial | $250+
- Balayage Partial | $350+
- Money Piece/Facial Framing | $200+
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jinbanghair.com/
- Instagram: Jinbanghair
- Facebook: Jin Bang Hair
Image Credits
Evolue Beauty
Cosway Beauty Group
Vogue Mexico
On the Town
Christophe Salon Bevery Hills
POP Sugar
LA Fashion Week
Living Proof
Texture vs Race
Vogue Italy
