Mandi Wilson, Alfaparf Milano Artisan, emphasizes the fundamentals while taking a flexible approach to education and that’s why we’ve selected her as Premier Beauty’s March Educator of the Month!

How’d you get your start in education?

When plans fell through with the other stylists at our salon, I ended up having a one-on-one with our Alfaparf Milano Educator. I’ve always been excited about education, and when I casually mentioned this, not knowing the brand was looking for educators, he got really excited, and we spent the whole time talking about the opportunity. Things just fell into place from there.

What’s your favorite product from Alfaparf Milano?

All of the Alfaparf Milano color products are fantastic; you’re only as good as your tools, and their color products have really upped my game. They work like they’re supposed to, so I can be confident in using them without worrying about any surprises.

My current favorite is the BB Bleach Free Style Lift. It’s a perfect balayage lightener—gentle on hair but still achieves great lift.

What's the newest, freshest approach you're bringing to education?

It’s important to truly listen to the students and figure out where they’re at, so I take a conversational approach to teaching. Students don’t always know what they need, so I like to be flexible and change course if needed. Some of the best classes I’ve taken were good because the educator really listened to the students and got down on our level.

What are the common problems faced by stylists today?

It’s easy to fall into the day-to-day mentality that you’re just doing hair, but as stylists, we are doing so much more than that. We have to remember that we’re not only representing ourselves but also the salon and ultimately, the industry. We should always lead by example, striving to elevate ourselves, as well as those around us through our image, our professionalism, and how we carry ourselves.

What do you want stylists to know about education?

I can’t stress enough how important a firm grasp on the fundamentals is. Basics like the color wheel are the foundation of everything we do, and a solid understanding of them makes going beyond that so much easier.

What are your educator goals?

As an educator, part of my responsibility is to help salons select the right products for their needs, which is often overwhelming for them, given all the products on the market. I truly believe Alfaparf Milano will improve their lives as stylists like it did mine, so I’m excited to bring my experience and product knowledge to them and make that process easier.

What new skill would you like to learn?

I’ve been experimenting a lot with extensions lately. It has been a fun process and has even inspired some of the other stylists in my salon to pick it up as well.

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