Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Brown.
Hi Brittney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Believe it or not, my interest in hair started with a side ponytail. When I was around 6, my older sister Kim used to put my hair in a side ponytail, and I loved it. I was also obsessed with the way Aaliyah wore her hair swooped over one eye, so I started experimenting with baby lotion, hair grease, clear gel, whatever I could find in my grandmother’s bathroom, trying to recreate that signature ponytail-and-swoop look. After a lot of practice on myself and my sister Jamie, I finally mastered it, and then it was on to the next style.
By the time I was 10, my best friend Kira had taught me how to cornrow on a mannequin head she had, and that skill took off from there. I started braiding my siblings, cousins, and friends. I come from a large family (6 sisters, 5 brothers, and a bunch of cousins), so I had no shortage of practice.
In 8th grade, someone suggested I apply to Carver Vo-Tech for cosmetology, so I did, and I got in. I only made it through one year before changing schools, but I kept doing hair for pretty much everyone I knew, and around this time I started picking up manis, pedis, and makeup too, and got pretty good at all of it.
By 17, I was losing interest. I was stretched too thin and not charging nearly enough to make a living, so I slowly stepped back from all of it except the occasional sibling. At 18, I had my daughter Payton, and doing hair became almost a thing of the past.
Once Payton’s hair got long enough to really style (around age 3 or 4), I found myself falling back in love with it. Taking care of and styling her hair brought back all those old memories, and I decided I’d go back and finish my cosmetology training. I even registered for school, but I got in my own head, convinced myself I was “too old” to chase it, and told myself I should just stick with my office job and go to college instead. So I didn’t go. For a couple of years I worked as a receptionist and took classes at community college, but the pull toward hair and haircare never really went away.
Finally, at 28, while working full-time, I went back to cosmetology school part-time. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Part-time meant two years instead of one, but I enjoyed it so much it flew by; I actually miss it sometimes. My favorite part was the theory; I loved learning the “why” behind everything.
When I finished school, I got my first suite with zero official clients (lol), and somehow my career took off almost instantly from there. I haven’t looked back since. I’m constantly investing in ways to grow so I can help people reach their healthy hair goals, whatever that looks like for them. Watching the impact I’ve had on people’s lives, and having that come back around to positively impact my own, has been such a gift. I’m truly grateful and blessed for every client who’s taken a chance on me and trusted me with their hair.
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?
It hasn’t always been smooth, no. The first time around, I burned myself out. My dad always told me I needed to charge more or I’d end up resenting the thing I loved, and that people would take advantage of me if I let them. I tried to listen, but it was hard to actually do it, and he ended up being right. I resented doing hair for several years because of it.
When I finally went back to cosmo school at 28, I had two kids back to back right in the middle of the program. That didn’t stop me or slow me down though; I still finished on time.
Getting my first suite came with a whole different set of sacrifices (lol, a lot of them). My husband’s work schedule meant there were mornings I had all my kids with me at 5:30 a.m. because my first client was at 6. And my suite was small, less than 100 square feet. My older kids were a lifesaver during that time; they’d take turns pushing the stroller around the suites, and once the mall opened, around the mall. Some nights I didn’t get off until almost 8 p.m.
Looking back, those struggles taught me a lot about the value of my own time and what it actually takes to build something sustainable, not just something you love.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a licensed senior cosmetologist specializing in hair care and helping clients achieve their hair goals, whether that’s length retention, healthier hair, or a style that makes them feel like themselves. I’m probably best known for my silk presses, along with maintenance services like haircuts and trims that help keep hair healthy between styles.
When it comes to silk presses, I prioritize the health of the hair over style, sleekness, or whatever’s trending. My approach is really rooted in versatility: protecting the hair while still giving clients the look they came in for. To me, a great result isn’t just about how the hair looks that day, it’s about how it’s doing six months or a year down the line.
What I’m most proud of is the confidence I’ve watched clients build over time. I’ve had people come to me feeling defeated about their hair, and after months and years of consistency, seen them get tremendous results that completely changed how they felt about themselves. I’ve even helped some clients grow their hair all the way to their waist.
I take what I do very seriously. Every client gets a custom hair care plan built around their lifestyle and goals, and I follow up with them after every visit. When someone decides to start their hair journey with me, their hair becomes my hair (lol), and I stay invested in it for the long haul. I believe that level of care and ownership is what really sets me apart.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Yes! Give it all you have, every day, even if some days that’s just a little bit. Don’t let a bad moment turn into a bad day, and don’t let a bad day turn into a reason to give up on the whole experience. If you really want something, stay consistent. And never stop investing in yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brittneyloren.as.me/
- Instagram: @brittneyloren_xoxo
