Today we’d like to introduce you to Lani Young.
Lani, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been an artist first, I just didn’t know my medium would eventually be hair.
I started out wanting to be a photographer and work in film. For about a decade, that was my whole world. I earned my BFA in Photography from Georgia State, spent years on sets or shooting music videos, taking any creative opportunity I could get my hands on. I loved the work, but I learned pretty quickly that the film industry runs on nonstop networking… and that part never came naturally to me. I wanted to create, not constantly hustle for the next job.
Hair had always been in the background of my life. I was the one cutting my own hair and trimming my friends’ bangs in the bathroom. Eventually, the pull toward something more people-focused became impossible to ignore. In 2016, I took the leap. I enrolled in Keune Academy’s Master Cosmetology program, and everything clicked in a way that felt both new and completely familiar. All the things I loved about photography — texture, composition, color theory, storytelling — translated into hair in a beautifully seamless way. I wasn’t just creating an image anymore; I was creating something someone could wear, live in, and feel more like themselves in.
Nine years later, I’m still behind the chair doing work that feels natural — blending artistry, technical skill, and a love for helping people feel more at home in their own hair.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a straight, easy path. I’ve always been a little different in how I work and process things, and for a long time I felt out of sync with the “hustle hard, network nonstop” side of creative industries. Finding a career that let me move at my own rhythm took time, a couple pivots, and a lot of self-trust.
And then there was the timing. I opened my salon studio in February of 2020, which felt like a dream come true… right up until the shutdown hit a few weeks later. Closing my new business with no idea when I’d reopen was one of the scariest moments of my life. I had just invested everything into opening this space, and overnight the world hit pause.
But when I was finally able to reopen, my little one-on-one studio turned out to be the exact kind of environment people were seeking. It was private, calm, and felt safer than larger salons. Building my clientele after that wasn’t as hard as I feared, people were looking for exactly what I offered.
The challenges taught me a lot: how to adapt, how to create a space that feels grounded, how to run a business even when the circumstances make it feel impossible. It wasn’t a smooth road, but every bump ended up shaping the way I work today, with intention, adaptability, and a real appreciation for the clients who choose to be in my chair.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my professional life, I’m a stylist who specializes in low-maintenance haircuts, lived-in color, and creating styles that look and feel effortless. My clients are people who want great hair without spending a ton of time styling it… real-life routines, wash-and-go texture, soft grow-out, and shapes that work with someone’s natural pattern instead of fighting against it.
I’m known for being very detail-oriented. I cut hair the way I approached photography: paying attention to movement, balance, texture, and how the shape will evolve over weeks instead of just how it looks the day someone leaves my chair. Nothing I do is rushed or one-size-fits-all. I really try to understand how someone lives in their hair and build from there.
My studio is intentionally a one-on-one space. It’s calm, personal, and designed to feel grounding — especially for clients who get overwhelmed in busy, high-energy salons. Whether someone wants to talk, decompress quietly, listen to music, or have a sensory-friendly appointment, I let the space adapt to them. Creating a comfortable environment is just as important to me as the technical side of what I do.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients have in me. People come to me for more than a haircut, they come because they feel safe, seen, and genuinely taken care of. That means a lot. I’m also proud that I’ve built a business that blends creativity, thoughtful design, ongoing education, and a whole lot of love.
What sets me apart is my combination of artistry and practicality. I want hair to look beautiful, yes, but I also want it to make sense in daily life. My goal is always the same: create hair that supports who someone is, not who the industry says they should be.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
A big lesson I’ve learned is that I don’t have to fit the “traditional stylist” mold. I used to think I needed to be perfectly styled, full glam, hair flawless, but that’s not who I am day to day.
I’ve learned that showing up as my authentic self is not only enough, it’s part of what makes my work stronger. When I’m comfortable, my clients are too. They don’t feel pressured to perform or present a certain way. They can walk in exactly as they are, messy bun, tired eyes, life happening, and know they’re in a space where they’re accepted and cared for.
Real connection doesn’t come from looking like the “ideal stylist.” It comes from being human. And the more I embraced that, the more my business, my confidence, and my client relationships grew.
Pricing:
- Haircuts $50-$100
- Color $100/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.hairbylanicare.com
- Instagram: @lanicare.hair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hairbylanicare
Image Credits
Rebekah Bowles Photography
Lani Young
