Jeremy Wexler is basically the definition of a Hair Nerd. Hair became his second career in life coming from the world of business, he has dedicated himself to learning, growing and sharing as much as he can. He has a passion for precision and an ability to make his clients look and feel the best that they can without compromising his craft and vision. We applaud him for is authenticity and not allowing others to stifle his voice even when being bullied for his opinions.

Describe yourself in 3 sentences…

I’m a passionate hairstylist and business owner with high standards for my clients as well as myself.

I love working with individuals that want more than just a “good” haircut and I’m never afraid to tell people the truth no matter if feelings get hurt.

I believe the good of people will always outweigh the bad and that it is never too late to change or make a difference.

What’s Jeremy’s artistic style? What influences your work?

My artistic style is meticulous clean work on very simple and practical everyday haircuts, no artsy runway, supermodel, or for hair show only cuts and styles from me. I will tell you straight up if I think a cut or style only looks good for a photograph but makes no “hair sense” for the individuals lifestyle or practical everyday application.

Simplicity influences my work most of all, stuff that just works best for my clients. I also draw inspiration from classic styles that stand the test of time like clean A line bobs, simple side parts, and classic tapers and blends. Recently I’m more influenced by other artists photography more so than anything. Some of my favorite photography influences are from @Andrewdoeshair, @Handsome_ransom and @whitneyvermeer.

Even when it isn’t popular, you always stay true to who you are. What is your advice to others having trouble with authenticity?

I never read the book but I loved that title “The subtle art of not giving a fuck.” That’s how I feel about everything I choose to post, I really just don’t give a fuck if people think its good or bad as long as I think it’s dope that’s all that matters. The reality of not caring about trying to be popular is that you have 100% more creative freedom than caring. When you no longer limit what you’ll post to garner the most likes or attention you become completely free to real artistic expression because you don’t limit yourself based off of any reward system other than your own individual style and taste.

For anyone struggling with authenticity I would recommend making a separate account where you post things you’ve done that only You think is good and what best expresses your true style and tastes. Once you get that feeling of freedom and you start to see how your body of work looks and how that account makes you feel, you might be more inclined to start doing what makes you feel the best and what’s more true to who you are as an artist on your more known account.

What stereotypes did you have of hairdressers that you feel differently about now? What myths have been broken?

One of the stereotypes I had early on was for any hairdresser to become massively popular or well known they had to be affiliated with or work for a huge brand or global corporation. I think one of the really fantastic things about the Social Media Platform is that is not the case as it once was. Now people can decide what they think is rad or whack and that balances the power out more so than ever before in the beauty industry. One myth that has been broken for me is that every hairdresser cares about their clients hair. Sad to say I’ve met and have seen artists that only care about their ego and do things otherwise unhealthy to hair just for a picture or just for show.

What’s one thing you would have told yourself on the first day of cosmetology school knowing what you know now?

Remember why you chose this career and stay true to that no matter what. I talk to so many people that start out in school and in this industry that all have similar reasons for getting into hair. They want to make people feel good about themselves, they want to have a job where they can be who they are, they want a job they enjoy doing, they want a flexible schedule, they want to open their own salon, and somewhere along the way they either lose sight of those things or get so jaded about everything they stop caring and get stuck. Write those things down and don’t let them out of your sight –work your ass off until you’ve gotten exactly what you wanted out of this industry from day one. It’s not going to happen overnight and it might take years to get one of those things, let alone all of them, but it can and it will happen if you make it happen! Possibility is determined by your work ethic and attitude.

Who are 3 stylists – dead or alive – you’d love to have dinner with and why?

Vidal Sassoon of course. He was such a pioneer and a game changer and most everything we learn and are taught about haircutting as a system comes from him. I feel lucky enough to be around in a time where I’ve met people that have met him and have heard truly amazing stories of his love and compassion not only as a hairdresser and pioneer for our industry but as a human being.

@Andrewdoeshair, because not only could we talk about stuff over dinner but from the looks of it he could also make the dinner and his cooking looks incredible.

Kelly Gorsuch, because he has an amazing story and mind for not only being an awesome hairdresser but as a successful business owner as well. Also dude knows food and would have the hookup on where to go.

Also I’d really like to have dinner with Annie Lerwill. I would love to pick her brain about the industry and philosophies, as well as branding, marketing and running an amazing business strategy for a cause that is very much selfless as well as needed!

(Thanks Jeremy! You make us blush!)

On a perfect day I spend it….. and eating……

Lazy around my house in my bathrobe until 3:30 pm and eating Pad Thai noodles.

What has been the most amazing opportunity you’ve had in the industry so far?

The most amazing opportunity I’ve had is simply being able to work with all of my clients everyday and being able to not only support myself but being able to donate proceeds from every haircut to a cause that is very close to my heart at St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. Located in my hometown of Memphis this is one of the greatest and most amazing causes in the world. I would like to encourage anyone reading this to please take some time and read more about what St Jude does with 100% of the money they receive as well as what they do there. You will also read about and hear some of the most amazing, inspiring, and incredible stories you can ever hear, so please check them out if you have a couple minutes in your day.

What do you think the biggest struggle stylists are experiencing today?

I think there is an unrealistic expectation for constant validation from EVERYONE but the actual client. I see more people worried about followers from strangers and likes on a posted photograph than actually feeling the satisfaction from doing an amazing job on their client especially if that client loves it. We are in the people business not the ME business, and I think the pressures from our current culture confuse stylists on what’s really important. What should be more important is our amazing clients that value our skills enough to pay our prices that pay our bills and support our dreams. I think that’s way more valuable than a couple hundred red hearts or likes and a few thousands followers you’ll never meet or connect with in real life.

What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?

LOL ok so when I was growing up in the 80’s in the south I rocked a short haircut with a long piece of hair growing down the back of my neck called a “Rat Tail”. We actually for some reason called it a “goochie” which is as about as funny as the haircut. Also in the 90’s I rocked a mean “skater cut” which was basically a bowl cut on top of a disconnected shaved non faded underneath.

What’s your next BIG goal?

My next big goal is to do more on the business side of things and consulting, as well as photography in the future. I love working behind the chair but I know I need an exit strategy that I can implement to stay within the industry but not have to work 10 hours behind a chair everyday. I’ve currently teamed up with Washi Scissor Company and I am really proud and happy to be working with them as the Artistic Director as well as an Educator and consultant. I’m really looking forward to growing with Washi and helping more stylist become more educated about Japanese Steels, why the price difference between the different types of steels, and what to look for when purchasing professional scissors as to not get ripped off or overpay ever again.

I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…

I cared enough about what I do to talk to other stylists about hair stuff for hours on end. I think you know you’re a #hairnerd when your personal life and work life become one. When hair no longer feels like work and it’s something you just do because it’s a part of who you are now.

Stalk Jeremy

I’m all things Jeremywexlerhair- Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, www.jeremywexlerhair.com, literally any platform if you type in my name you can find me!