Meet Shay Dempsey | Hair Artist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Shay Dempsey and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Shay, how do you think about risk?
I have been a Hair Artist for over 25 years , and I have to say most of my success is from the Mentors I surrounded myself around . You must have the basic fundamentals first , then you need to know what you really want to excel at , I don’t believe you can do it all . I kept t perfecting my cutting skills and editorial styling .And I think we really need to be very good with People , it’s a very personal business and consultation is so important, And lastly leave your ego at the door .
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started my Hairdressing career when I was 15 . I lived in Dublin Ireland and my Mom had a cousin of hers came over from London to visit and he was a hairdresser and he cut her hair in the kitchen and I thought he was so cool , he was my first inspiration into the business, so I started going to London taking courses , in Europe it take 4 years to qualify as hairdresser and it’s very Constructive , each year you work you have to pass your exams, super challenging but also so much fun . Hair artistry you never stop learning so I constantly challenged myself and looked for the next best Mentor , some good some Bad but that’s how you learn, and in time you can make everything your own . Now living in LA for 12 years and being the Sebastian Global artistic Director is something I am so proud of , and never forget the jorrney it took to get there . Also cutting someone’s hair for the fist time gives me a thrill , That’s when you lean into all your experiences.
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 really love Topanga, great little quirky stores , and restaurants then you can drop down into Malibu and drive the PCH it never gets old . I Love Ysabel restaurant on Fairfax ,also Laurel Hardware, and if the Hollywood Bowl has an artist playing it’s a must.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well my first shout out is to my Parents, I didn’t come from a family of Hairdressers, so this was a little out of the ordinary, but they supported me every step of the way . Starting at 15 years of age I really needed a lot of guidance so all the mentors that were there for me a huge Thank you .Also the people that wernt nice , they showed me ways to not do things . Everything is a learning experience.Thank you Vidal Sassoon, Toni and guy , Sebastian Professional
Instagram: shaydempsey1
Youtube: Shay Dempsey Sebastian
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