Name: Wesley O'MearaAge: 33
Location: New York, NY
Day job (what pays the bills): Hairstylist
What was growing up like for you?
It was weird. I knew I didn't belong where I was, as cliche as that sounds. I guess I was a little more femme when I was a kid, too? I was teased a lot - school was hard. This caused me to rebel in a way and explore things that existed outside of the school environment and this lead me to the rave scene in the mid 90s. I feel like this really opened up my eyes a lot to the world of nightlife, art and creativity. It also left me with some really terrible tattoos.
Who is Wesley O'Meara?
ha. My agent just asked me this yesterday! I guess I'll spend the rest of my life trying to figure this out.. whoever he is I hope he keeps evolving.
How did you get into the hair industry? Why hair?
Well, as any young gay I LOVED playing with my sisters barbies. Like, I couldn't handle how amazing her hair was. When I moved to new york, I was a little too young to really pursue any real dreams. I spent a lot of time, years even in odd jobs and on the verge of existential breakdowns daily. Finally, I said to myself just go for it, you've always wanted this and so, I did. When you follow your dreams and you're passionate (and have help and support from loved ones), you can really become successful!
What was the response like initially from your friends and family when you became a hair stylist?
I don't know if anyone really cared. It probably seemed like just another chapter in Wesley's life. But, I think once the celebrities and the traveling started to become frequent everyone started to take it seriously. I changed a lot as a person in this process and have lost touch with a lot of people I used to be close with, and I have also gained a lot of amazing new friends out of it as well.
When you are not doing hair what are you doing?
Thinking about hair, lol. It's becoming a problem. I'm on a 6 month hiatus from drinking so hair is all I got going for me right now! jk, sort of. But, I am in the process of a new venture with some partners that will help build a brand for all of us and that is super exciting. I can't wait to start talking about that! oh, and TV... I love TV.
I absolutely love your site 'We hate your hair". Can you tell us a little bit about it?
aw!! Thanks so much! I love getting positive feedback. Well, I started my blog beginning of last year at a transitional point of my career. I was advised to start thinking about building a brand to make myself marketable to publicists and press, especially with this whole HUGE social networking thing right now that has taken the world by storm. I had a bit of free time on my hands so I starting thinking about what the industry was lacking and it hit me! I get asked questions from people on a daily basis on what they should do to their hair or how they can fix problems so I wanted to give this a platform and put a spin on it that was unique and also entertaining.
I wanted people to read it for fun and not just for advice. I chose to create a tumblr because it is extremely approachable and has a HUGE community of my target age bracket so it was a no brainer. My first post was on bangs and it was such a success that the questions immediately started rolling in. I love it. These days my updates are few and far between because I have gotten so so busy and I feel like I owe a lot of it to the blog! I like to think that everyone can get a chance to get honest advice from a professional with a bit of humor thrown in.
What are the number one hair no no's women consistently make?
Bringing in pictures of Kim Kardashian to their stylists as a reference. No, jk! I think the biggest no no is coloring your hair at home. Like, great colourists spend years mastering their craft and they still make mistakes almost everyday or something doesn't turn out the way it is supposed to. What makes someone think that they can buy a box for $10 and have a nice result with something they did in the bathroom in 20 minutes??
What do you think will be the most popular hair trends in 2013?
I feel a lot of 60s influence rolling in, judging by the runways. It was a great time for hair, too, very playful yet effortless.
What inspires you and who would you say your role models and/or heroes are?
I'm really inspired by challenges. I'm for the most part self taught when it comes to styling. I still watch youtube video tutorials on a daily basis, it is kind of amazing how I learn things from a rockabilly girl in southern cali or a girl in China that has a certain way of doing her braids. In the hair industry I always look at Julien D'ys. I love his mix of art and sculpture in hair, using so many mediums, he truly is a great artist.
Is there a difference between the public and private Wesley?
hahahaha, if you really actually know me, no. I'm quite the extrovert.
Fun loving bachelor or hopeless romantic?
At the moment fun loving bachelor but I am SUCH a nester. I love love love being domestic. But, I think right now being single is working and keeping me focused. Besides, I'm getting the best cat even in a couple of weeks, so I won't need a boyfriend anyway!
What do you look for in a partner and admire most?
Where I am in my life right now, I won't settle for anyone that doesn't have any ambitions and a stable job. Someone that compliments me and has to have the same sarcasm I have. I need to laugh but I also need to be grumpy and I need him to be ok with that.
Do you have any advise for people looking for a career in hair styling?
Assist assist assist! You can never ever stop learning. I even learn stuff from my assistants ALL the time. Once you feel like you know everything I think your ego takes over and you can never grow. Also, you have to know that it isn't your show. You are working with a lot of creative people and it is important to find a balance so everyone can be happy with the finished product.
What can we expect from you in the future?
A new venture that is going to be major and kind of change the way people view salons! I can't get too much into it now but look out and be prepared to be blown away!
Anything you'd like to say to your fans and the readers?
Thank you so much for the support and feedback both positive and negative and never be intimidated and ask away!
