Meet Emma Hamblen | Hair Stylist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma Hamblen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to create a space that felt safe for myself and my clients. I’ve always worked in larger salons with old school views of how a salon “should be” and it never felt right. I knew I loved doing hair but the way we managed clients and staff needed to change.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to think that my art is a collaboration with whoever is sitting in my chair. There are too many hairdressers out there that push their style onto clients without consent and that’s never sat right with me. I love the idea of two minds coming together to create a style that makes both parties feel liberated and powerful. This is my 11th year doing hair and it was not easy to get where I am. Before I even went to hair school I was a receptionist at a salon for a few years, so I understood how a salon operated. When I finished school and began an apprenticeship I felt like I made a huge mistake and took a long break from hair. All the salons I had worked for were so toxic I couldn’t see myself making a career in this industry. After a few years doing makeup and hair on the side. I went to work for a barbershop thinking it would be at least a little different than a salon and it was for a while. Then the same toxicity peaked through. This cycle continued up until September of 2021 when I went to work for myself. I found a likeminded stylist that had a very similar experience, as many hair stylist do, and wanted to create change as well. Her name is Lindsey Jade and she is a total life saver to me. She opened her salon Looks earlier that year and we both agree this is the most relaxed, healthy, work environment we’ve ever had. I want people to know that we are trying to change all the icky stuff about the industry. However small these changes might be, we’ve seen a huge difference in our quality of life and our clients! Clients notice the toxicity in salons and they’re over it too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston has SO much to offer, it’s the major reason I moved back. I’d first ask if they could have any type of cuisine what would it be, and show them they’ll have multiple choices. The food in Houston is unbeatable in my opinion. I’d then take them to any of the incredible museums we have here and a walk around Herman park. Then we would have to hit La Carafe, the oldest bar in Houston and one of my favorite places.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people are to credit! I take every interaction in life as a lesson. Every previous boss I’ve had taught me who I wanted to be, or who I didn’t want to be. My closest friends, who are also badass female business owners, cheered me on the entire time. My family is extremely supportive, they’ve always been accepting of my dreams and I couldn’t be luckier.

Website: emmabrookshair.com

Instagram: emmabrookshair