We are so excited to bring you our new segment in which we spotlight our favourite top hairstylists, learn more about their place in the hair industry, and about them as people. This week, we start off with Heather Chapman, who is well known for her intricate updos, delicate hands, and soft but cool aesthetic. Read on...
If your an avid peruser of Insta-famous hairstylists, you've likely already heard the name Heather Chapman. A self-confessed Braid Lover as well as online educator of all things hair, Heather boasts more than 700,000 followers on Instagram, with whom she shares her stunning updo creations, braided hairstyles, professional techniques, bridal hairstyles, and more.
Based out of Houston, TX, Heather got her start in the hair and beauty like most creatives - experimenting at home. "I was always doing home hair jobs on myself, from hot pink baby bangs to all over black. It has always intrigued me, so it was a natural choice for me to do hair," she says.
Heather's signature style is "soft, pretty, and cool," and judging from the Goddess braids, volumized bridal hair, updos with intricate braids, and pastel pink hair all over her Instagram page, it seems that Heather knows her niche and plays well within her talents. In fact, her braided looks have even been featured on Khloe Kardashian's app!
Heather now runs a successful online academy, Heather Chapman Hair Online, where she teaches motor skills for certain types of braids, hair prep work, hairstyle tutorials and more.
"The most challenging thing today would probably be keeping up with a very fast paced and ever changing social media world. The most rewarding is education and inspiring others."
Working in the hair industry over the year, Heather's most memorable learning experience has to do with her working conditions to keep her creative juices flowing. "I've learned that I perform my best with a team that inspires me, so I'm specific with my environment," she says.
Out of all the clients Heather works with regularly, she says her favourites are brides.
"I want to relieve their stress by them knowing that they will get a beautiful hairstyle for the most important day of their life...they're so appreciative when they see their final look!"
Heather says her brides' emotional response to their wedding looks are so moving, that she feels a life long obligation to do the best job she can on their hair, or to teach others how to style beautiful wedding hair.
At the moment, Heather says her favourite hair trends are Bardot bangs, French Fishtails braids, and Russian textured updos (see georgiykot, fshairdo and victoria.schimbator) with her foreseeing more uniformity and textured updos in 2018 plus "a LOT more braids!"
For those who don't have a subscription to Heather's online academy, here's a little insider styling tip to get natural texture in your hair: spritz the top of your hair with some volume spray, and then let the underneath air dry! And if you're running late and only have a minute or two to do your hair? "Dry texture spray and a cute bobby pin" is the ultimate go-to style for Heather.
Here's another styling secret to creating fullness and length in half updos: "I like adding fullness and length with hair extensions for my half updos," she says.
Heather says her dream clients are Sarah Jessica Parker, Gigi Hadid, and Sofia Vergara, and that she would love to work with hairstylist Ruslan Nureev, hair assistant to celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton of Kim Kardashian fame.
If you're inspired by hair and are starting off in the industry, Heather's best piece of advice is to master the basics. "Learn lighting, composition, and patience," she says.
You can check out Heather Chapman's work on her Instagram page @heatherchapmanhair and subscribe to her online academy here for more tutorials, insider tips, and professional education.
