Zach Kilian
Zach is literally a creative wig MASTER! We are in love with everything that he creates and will eventually accidentally leave LA with one in our car. If you are a RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, you may have recently seen All Stars Season 2 winner, Alaska, sporting one of his creations. Get out your rain jackets, kids, Zach is defiantly making a splash.
What inspired you to enter the beauty industry? Was it a path you always saw yourself taking?
I’ve always been fascinated by hair, I used to try to recreate the blowouts that my mom would have done at the salon by our family hair guy. The transformation of shape and texture is what attracted me to it.
I always knew hair was an option, but it wasn’t my initial goal, I studied theater in New York right out of high school and decided that getting my cosmetology license would help support me while I was finding my path as an actor. It was the best decision I ever made, as I’ve matured my career goals have changed and I’ve found that hair is the ultimate creative outlet for me.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This is tough, I hope to be happy and creating new and exciting things that aren’t even on my radar yet. Also would love to be able to travel while doing what I love, whether through education or set work.
A product you would pay (gasp) retail for…
Oh my god, Oribe’s Dry Texture Spray. My hair is 75% dry texture spray.
What drew you into making these larger than life custom wigs?
It’s been a long road… I used to order wigs from the Paula Young wig catalogue when I was in middle school, or have my grandma drive me to the local wig shop. I had unique interests for an 11 year old boy, and luckily a supportive loving family. I would set the wigs with hot water (a method to curl synthetic hair), cut them, style them, comb them out and do it again.
Through the years I progressed to doing wigs for theater productions I was involved in, and styling pieces for a dear friend in New York that was part of the drag queen scene. From there it was constantly slowly evolving with my styling techniques through playing with different textures and different ways of shaping the hair. I’m always kind of daydreaming about different silhouettes and shapes I can make.
Describe a day in the life at Hairroin Salon.
You never know what you’re going to see, we have an incredibly diverse team, with an array of strengths and a bottom line of quality work. You might start the day with a client wanting shattered colorful unicorn hair, and end it with a precision bob and natural root touch up. We are lucky as a team to be constantly surrounded by inspiring work.
Would you ever consider entering competitions like NAHA or What’s Next Awards with your wig creations?
Maybe, just maybe…
What do you think the biggest struggle stylists are experiencing in the industry today?
Managing client expectations. There are millions of inspirational hair pictures online, and not everyone’s hair is going to look like the color corrected and airbrushed photos that they bring in. In depth consultations need to establish realistic goals. Always under promise and over deliver.
Something most people don’t know about you.
I’m left handed, but cut hair right handed.
What traumatic hairstyle have you been guilty of rocking?
Haha, I have no regrets. Maybe having comb marks in my gelled hair in 6th grade???
Words to live by…
Do your best.
I knew I was a Hair Nerd when…
My apartment looked like an episode of Hoarders, but with wigs. They all have memories, lol.
Want to stalk Zach??
Instagram – @zachkilian