Bombshell Hair Studio

Brooke LeMasters, Owner and Stylist of Bombshell Hair Studio in Sistersville, WV, Sunlights Balayage Artisan Educator, and Ambassador, Educator, and Platform Artist for YOOR has been selected as one of three Finalists for Hair Colorist of the Year, in the Southeast Hairstyling Awards!

The Southeast Hairstyling Awards website states that they, “recognize and celebrate the best of the best in the Southeastern United States beauty industry.” Brooke is absolutely thrilled at the honor of being chosen as a finalist. “I was completely surprised and humbled to know that my work was even noticed by some of the top names in the industry. I was overwhelmed with emotion and cried tears of joy,” said Brooke.

Brooke recently began working with a new color line called YOOR. The entire YOOR brand is centered around elevating the industry, which speaks to Brooke’s heart. Always, in her 16 years behind the chair and 7 years of owning a salon, Brooke has always strived to break stereotypical ideas surrounding the beauty industry, specifically hairdressing. She has been known to say, “It takes brains to do what we do and do it well!” She explains that colorists must employ aspects of chemistry, color theory, geometry, and natural artistic vision. Not only do hairdressers need those skills, but they must utilize them while focusing on customer experience, and running a proper business, in many cases. “It’s a career choice and passion that is deserving of respect,” says Brooke.

While enjoying the new color line, she was noticed by the founder of YOOR, Ray Brumfield. He personally took time, while on tour to promote his new line, stop in the small, rural town of Sistersville, WV, to meet Brooke! Ray quickly became a friend and mentor to Brooke and has continually pushed her to grow both in her career and creatively. One example of this was suggesting she enter a regional and national hair competition. Brooke had never considered doing hair competitively, but Ray saw the potential and encouraged her to step out of her box and break free of the limiting beliefs. Being from a small, remote area, and that, even though she received a wonderful education in Cosmetology and has continued to seek prominent continuing education, her education was not as prestigious as many of the distinguished artists in the industry. On top of these, Brooke knew that most entries into these types of hair competitions have more resources behind them- creative teams, wardrobe directors, makeup artists, etc. She decided to take it on as a learning experience and a tool for growth. She never expected to be named a finalist.

Brooke LeMasters wears many hats- wife, mother, family member, business owner, employer, hairdresser, artist, and educator, to name a few. She makes balance a priority in her life. Maintaining that balance is especially hard as a mother, but she reminds herself that it’s good for her son to see her as the best version of herself and that version includes succeeding in the career she loves so much. It’s important to Brooke for her son to understand taking pride in the work you do and finding your passion because when you do, life is better. She says that nurturing her passion allows her to be a better mother, and person because she’s happier when doing so. Brooke makes sure that Jace, her 4-year-old son, knows that she loves doing and teaching hair ALMOST as much as she loves him.

What does it take to achieve something like this? Brooke says it takes belief in yourself, a strong support system, with which she is extremely blessed, grit and fight, and the understanding that there is always room for growth and improvement, and the guts to push yourself outside of your comfort zone on a regular basis.

As mentioned before, Brooke struggled with limiting herself. Her business coach and mentor, Jennifer Foo with Inspiring Champions, says that Brooke, “has a gift to give to the industry,” and reminds her to be her authentic self and go into experiences with an open, giving, humble heart. Brooke is forever grateful for this and says that everyone, no matter their position in life, should be reminded of these things on a regular basis.

What other bits of knowledge and advice does Brooke LeMasters want to share with other stylists, despite their level of experience?

1.       Take it upon yourself to grow.

2.       Reach out to someone you admire and learn from them. Learning from another of her mentors, Candy Shaw, was a definite turning point in Brooke’s career, which has opened countless doors.

3.       Push yourself creatively and within your business.

4.       ENJOY WHAT YOU DO!

5.       If you need to adjust your clientele to achieve your goals, then learn how to do so.

6.       Remember that the opportunities and clientele that you attract will mirror your energy and how you present and market yourself.

The Celebration Event will be held at a beautiful Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 7^th. Brooke is looking forward to attending the event where they will feature runway shows from some of the top influencers in the industry, announce the winner of Southeast Hair Colorist of the Year, who will move on to Hair Awards USA, the national competition, and more! Even though the winners have yet to be announced, Brooke LeMasters already feels like she has won, just by being named a finalist.