Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica S. Geiger.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Jessica S. Geiger. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and Maryland.
According to my parents, my love for hair began at just 3 years old. I walked around with a comb in my hand, greasing and attempting to braid anyone I could get to. I was always in the salon— I went with my Mother to every one of her hair appointments—never missing one, and by the age of eight, I was already helping the stylists. I swept floors, cleaned stations, and threaded needles at Claire’s Beauty Salon on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, New York. Styling hair has always been innate to me—a gift from God that my parents nurtured and that I worked hard to develop.
I studied Cosmetology at Harford Technical High School in Bel Air, Maryland, but many of the techniques I’m known for today came from being self-taught and determined. I became a licensed cosmetologist in 2010 and worked in a commission-based salon alongside seasoned stylists, refining not only my craft but also my business acumen. In 2015, I opened J Geiger Hair Studio: “Where Love Is In The Hair.”
In 2012, I launched my virgin hair extensions brand, Chameleon Strands, during a pivotal shift in the hair industry. The film Good Hair had just been released, Indian and Brazilian hair bundles were on the rise, and the industry was moving away from traditional pack hair. My older brother—who has since passed at that time was interested too and said he would be “the only Black businessman in a suit with a suitcase full of hair.” His vision and encouragement helped birth my company and continues to inspire my journey.
My path to Atlanta officially began in March 2020, though the seeds were planted years earlier. At the time, I was coming off severe burnout—navigating a difficult situation with a slumlord at my first brick-and-mortar salon, recovering from an illness I am now healed from, and experiencing yet another failed talking stage. Then the pandemic hit, and the entire hair industry shut down. Instead of feeling stuck, I felt a strong nudge in my spirit that it was time to move—even though nothing about my circumstances made sense. It was the perfect out, I had to cease the moment!
During the shutdown, I immersed myself in Zoom classes, Facebook trainings, and Instagram Lives, learning everything I could about the film and television industry. What’s interesting is that back in 2017( that seed) , I attended the Bronner Brothers Show in Atlanta alone—no one wanted to go with me, but I went anyway. While there, I sat in on a barber class where Joyce Gilliard stood up and shared her story of breaking into film. I remember lighting up as she spoke, unaware that moment would later come full circle. Years later, Joyce told me that her sharing that day wasn’t even planned—she had no idea she would be telling that story at all.
Fast forward back to 2020, Joyce and her colleagues were the very hairstylists hosting the online classes I was learning from. In May of that year, I wrote on a sticky note: “I am a Film and Television Hairstylist.” I had no idea how it would happen—but I spoke it anyway.
In July 2020, I received my first offer to work on a film in Maryland. It was unpaid, but when I told my pastor, she said, “That’s God confirming you’re moving in the right direction.” Those words carried me through what came next. The obstacles were real—car trouble, housing plans with relatives fell through, financial strain—but that calling to Atlanta remained strong. I moved in the middle of a pandemic with no job lined up, relying fully on faith, prayer, family, friends, and most importantly, God’s confirmation.
When I arrived in Atlanta, I started from the bottom. I was an assistant at a salon making $50 a day, I applied for background acting roles just to get on set and understand the environment. After working as an extra a few times, I finally reached out to one of my resources for guidance. Once she saw how serious and committed I was, Mona Bowman put the word in for me to get my first day on a show as a day player/background hairstylist in November 2020. She later hired me for my second opportunity in March 2021.
From there, every job came from strong first impressions, consistency, and building genuine relationships. I continued working, earning my industry days, and in 2023, I officially became a member of the IATSE Local 798 Makeup Artists & Hairstylists Union.
Now, in 2025, I’ve worked with nearly every major studio and have been credited on multiple Major film and television projects.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This road to Atl wasn’t smooth. There was a lot of uncertainty, but I kept moving anyway. Money was real tight and I had to ask for help—thankfully, I have an incredibly supportive family. I lived with a distant relative and worried about overstaying my welcome. In April 2021 My car broke down, forcing me to go back home to work and save for another one.
In 2023, the writers’ strike sent me back home yet again. My Faith and naivety had me hopeful that it wasn’t over, God wouldn’t bring me this far for it to end, and it didn’t.
I had to learn how to handle microaggressions and hazing-like behavior from my superiors while staying professional. I learned how to work with actors, put my feelings aside, and understand that I’m not the sought after hair stylist, these ppl are being put in my chair and having to trust that I can deliver, and also it’s not my vision, I’m here to create someone else’s vision. Whew! It was alot , It wasn’t easy—but I kept pushing through every obstacle and came out stronger each time.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an IATSE Local 798 film and television hairstylist. As a film/Tv Haistylist, I collaborate with production to design hairstyles for characters based on the script, time period, and overall vision of the project. I work closely with the makeup, costume, and other production departments for specific components pertaining to the character. Because films and shows are shot out of order, I take pictures everyday of every look and every scene to ensure continuity: visual consistency throughout the project.
An average work day could be 12 to 14 hours -sometimes longer. It’s definitely not for the weak, mental and physical stamina are major parts to the job.
I specialize in creating actual hairdos, Styling, creating custom looks, Art!
Interestingly, I’m now known for braiding. It’s ironic because I once shied away from braids, doubting myself in that area, and even once I was better not wanting to be known as a Braider. As I’ve grown in this industry, braiding has become the skill God has used to exalt me in. God has a sense of humor and often uses the areas we least expect to stretch and elevate us.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come in this industry, my resilience, my growth as a person and hairstylist and rising above the adversities. My faith is what sets me apart, I rely on it solely!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Prayer! That’s my advice! I asked God to align me with every vessel and resource to get me where he wants me to be and it happened. I couldn’t come up with another answer if I tried, it’s evident in every part of my journey. Do the work, follow the right ppl on social media, go to the events, engage, and the mentor/vessel will come to you
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jessicasgeiger.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theejessicageiger
