Zoie Rose
Zoie McClouskey is by far one of our most favorite #hairnerds on the planet. The first time we met her was at a hair show and we thought she was way too cool to ever force her into becoming one of our BFF’s, but she is one of the most down-to-earth people we’re lucky enough to call our friend. To know her is to love her and if you’re around her for even a few moments you’ll definitely walk away with new info of some kind. Her passion for the craft is unlike any other and the pursuit for education is that of a true #hairnerd.
If you had to sum up your Hair Journey in 3 sentences or less, what would they be?
Oh, crap this is a hard first question.
My hair journey has been an ever transforming one. I entered the hair world at a weird point in my life, fast tracked to making the most money I ever had while earning my dream salon position- but being miserable in the environment I was in, to having the rug ripped from under me and having it all taken away.. And then, a sense of badassery/ freedom when I made it work and came out better than ever.
Zoie with her educators winning Wella Trendvision in 2012
Why is education so important to you?
Education is huge, huge, HUGE to me! In life in general. I have always loved learning. I feel more well rounded when I’m more aware. I think there’s a sense of humility when you can admit you don’t know something, but try to find the answer. I always want to be surrounded by people better than me so I can grow. I think it’s important to have a team of cheerleaders around, but I also am not for the “yes man” mentality of this positive forever no matter what age we are in. I want someone to tell me “This is good but you probably should’ve done x, y & z to make this better.” In this age of everyone being a winner and never wanting to offend anyone, I think it’s super important to remember constructive criticism and healthy competition is necessary for growth! There are fifty thousand salons on every street, there is room for everyone! It’s up to us to continually strive to be better and learn more and grow and build each other up to be better as an industry. And we need education to make ourselves and the industry the best it can be.
What sparked your interest to becoming an educator?
I always knew I wanted to be involved in teaching in some capacity. I had a pretty terrible experience in cosmetology school for the most part as far as the people I was around. I had a few people that I considered friends, but for the most part, the best relationships I had were with my educators. I had a rough time in my personal life and I was super young! I started cosmo school when I was 17!! My educators went majorly above and beyond in my career and life and to this day continue to do so. I wouldn’t be where I am without that, and that’s what I hope to be to someone else. Not only that- if we are being transparent here, hairdressers tend to have a shitty reputation for being uneducated or stupid and I want to change that. I have never met a successful beauty professional that wasn’t extremely intelligent.
When my teacher became my boss and I annoy him every chance I get- he’s lame and doesn’t have instagram anymore.
How has being an educator impacted your life as a stylist?
Being an educator has impacted my life as a stylist in a lot of different ways. Obviously I sacrifice my time behind the chair to be at the school, so I have to maneuver my schedule around to make it doable. (Thank god I work for myself or that would be a problem.)
I can say I definitely find myself thinking more about why I’m doing what I am when I’m working on my guests. Or taking photos of random things to show my students later. I try to involve myself in more things to be able to show my students the opportunities this industry offers, so I put myself in situations I normally wouldn’t, so I can bring it back to them. I’m a very awkward human, so most times I would rather not go to certain events or compete in certain things, but I don’t think it’s fair of me to encourage them to do those things if I don’t as well, you know?
Who are the Top 3 Stylists you would love to work with and why?
Oh gosh… another hard one damnit.
Well… Mona Baltazar – I’ve done makeup for a model of hers once- but every time I’m around her it’s such good times. I’d love to create with her for sure.
Traci Sakosits of course. I mean that’s a big obvious one for me.
And….. hmm…. Probably right now I’ve been super inspired by Mari de Monte I think her work is super rad and just her as person seems like someone I would vibe with for sure. Plus low key, want to steal all her jewelry and hats????
What is Zoie’s artistic style? What influences your work?
I hate this question!!! I feel like I want someone else to answer what my style is. I like anything that’s suitable honestly. It’s really not about me. My guest influences my work. I am fortunate to have a clientele that trusts me and my opinion, but at the end of the day – whether it’s a guest or a model, it’s their hair and they should love it. When I’m doing concepts for shoots, I try to keep shit simple and classic. I feel like everyone lately tries to out weird each other and it’s getting kind of old. Suitability is the most important.
Dress up like someone who inspires you day, and my student came in as me and I cried. Green silly string on her hair y’all. come on
What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of cosmetology school knowing what you know now?
Hmmm… The people you think are cool- usually aren’t, so trust your gut in who are good people that have your best interest at heart- not their own. Be mindful of where you put your energy.
How you like that blurry scene girl?
What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?
Okay wow this is rude. So many! Most of my hair has been bad. But like I LOVED it at the time so it wasn’t bad at all… so punk rock. I don’t have any photos on my phone except one.. I didn’t have a phone back when I had bad hair!!! instagram wasn’t a a thing back then… it came out when I was in beauty school
Greatest accomplishment of your life so far?
The greatest accomplishment probably has been … hmm okay so ew, this is a really cheesy answer but it’s legit. Facing shit that scares me on a regular basis. I am a ball of nerves and anxiety and thinking the worst, and in January 2017 I made a promise to myself and set a goal that I wouldn’t let me being anxious hinder me from opportunities given to me in the hair world. Whether it was events, classes, modeling for stuff whatever- I forced myself to say yes… I cried and pep talked myself in car rides on the way to things, anxiety attacks mid hairshows in corners hoping nobody saw, and it honestly has changed my life. I’m still scared shitless to do things but I know somewhere in my dome that I’ll survive and it’ll be fine so I should shut up and Nike- just do it.
I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…
I remembered people by their hair color formula not their name. Haha!
Want to stalk Zoie?
I don’t even have a website how lame am I? (Annie is sitting there laughing reading this because we have talked about this multiple times… my baaaad!)
Instagram! Everyone has instagram now right?
Oh and Target… you can always find me at Target.