How Jen Atkin Became the World's Most Influential Hairstylist

Welcome to Second Life, a podcast spotlighting successful women who've made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode will give you a direct line to women who are game changers in their fields. Subscribe to Second Life on iTunes, and stay tuned. 

This week, we're rebroadcasting and expanding upon one of our favorite episodes from the archives, which happens to be our very first Second Life episode, with Jen Atkin.

In addition to being the most influential celebrity hairstylist in the world (according to none other than The New York Times), Atkin is the founder of Mane Addicts, Mane University, and, of course Ouai Haircare. 

Believe it or not, Atkin got her start in the hair world as a receptionist at a salon after doing a series of odd jobs upon moving to L.A. from Utah in 2000. Atkin saved up enough money to get her license to become a hairstylist. Fast-forward to now and Atkin is perhaps the most famous hairstylist in the world, with a client roster that includes the Kardashians and Jenners, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Chrissy Teigen, and an Instagram follower count of three million. She parlayed her successful stylist career into that of a hair entrepreneur as well, founding Mane Addicts and Mane University, and founding and becoming CEO of the wildly popular Ouai Haircare.

Head to iTunes to subscribe to Second Life and listen to this episode to get all the scoop on Atkin's career, and shop some of her standout Ouai products below.

Next, how Anine Bing went from modeling to designing the ultimate L.A.-girl brand.