Meet Nicolas Al Yacoub | Hairstylist and creator of his own balayage technique

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicolas Al Yacoub and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicolas, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is the training that I had , the rigor and the discipline that I followed to get where I am today.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Growing up in Lyon, France, I always wanted to be a hairstylist. So, I naturally, without any doubts, start hairstyling school at 15 years old in France, where I am originally from.
I study 2 years for the first hairstylist diploma in France; then I continued for the second diploma for 2 more years. (The second one is needed if you want open your own salon in France.) I finished with my last diploma for 1 year, where I learned more about management and the business of hair salons.
I got licensed at 19.
After that, from 2016 to 2022, I had the opportunity to work in the same salon where I was practicing and learning about hair. The prestigious and luxurious hair salons in France called DESSANGE. During these 6 years, I worked with the L’Oréal Professional brand, created different techniques of highlights/balayage, and gave a different internship about colors, hairstyles, haircuts, and updo for students from all over Europe at the Dessange International School in Paris. I also worked on stage twice a year to present the new Dessange hair collections for worldwide hairstylists.
In 2020, I had the huge opportunity to be hired by Jose Eber in Beverly Hills.
I also create the reverse balayage/highlight technique. This balayage technique involves bringing light around the client’s face and in a strategic location to make the client’s hair and face appear brighter. This technique adapts well to blondes as to redheads or brunettes.
My clients come from all over California to get their hair done with me in Beverly Hills.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love hanging out around my work area , Beverly Hills where we can found a very good restaurants , nice park for walk.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will say Jean Régis Raberin, my previous boss in France. Manager of Dessange Lyon. He push me and support me to leave my American dream!
And of course, JOSÉ, EBER, my current boss, I get sponsored and work with him at the José Eber salon in Beverly Hills. It’s wonderful to learn from him all the secrets and techniques of his success and also share my own technique and my French touch.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolas_al_yacoub?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr