Get To Know Christa: PRISM South’s Cutting Specialist!

While she’s been a part of the PRISM family for most of its journey, we’re finally getting the chance to sit down with one of PRISM South’s gems! Christa has been cutting hair from coast to coast, growing up in California & then living in New York City! While she still spends some time up in the Big Apple taking guests, we’re so grateful she’s found home at PRISM Hair in Richmond, Virginia! See below how her journey started, her insight on learning color with our owner, Brittany, & more tips & tricks

Q: Tell us a little bit about your hair journey! How did you get started?

Christa: Oh my. What a journey it has been! I started doing hair in LA at the Vidal Sassoon Academy. It doesn’t exist any more but it was a really special place back in the late 90’s and that’s where I learned the basics. They were very strict and particular about everything. Not just hair. They took everything into account from what you wore to class to the way you held your scissors to the way that you shook hands with clients. I guess it was kind of the hair equivalent of a really strict military school. I don’t know why, but I loved it! I’m into precision. 

Q: What’s your favorite part of being a Hairstylist?

Christa: Everyday is a new day. I’ve been doing hair for a million years but every client requires something a little bit different. I like having a new challenge every hour, on the hour! I especially like the challenge of a corrective cut because you have to engage with what’s there (or not there) and it can lead to some really unexpected solutions and ways of cutting. There’s no way to teach you that in school. You have to really figure it out on your feet every time.

Q: What’s something you love about hair cutting?

Christa: I love that all you need is a pair of shears and a comb and you can totally change the way someone looks with just a few snips. It’s awesome that such a simple action can have such a dramatic effect. Is that called a butterfly effect? I think so. I guess I like the butterfly effect that hair styling can create. I snip my sheers in Richmond and it creates a tsunami in Australia!

Q: You’ve recently been dabbling in some color and working alongside our owner Brittany, how has that been for you so far? 

Christa: It’s great. I have been having fun learning something new after all these years. Brittany is a great teacher. Color has always been an integral part of every cut and now that I’m formulating and thinking about both sides of it, I feel like I have a whole new puzzle to solve.

Q: How does it compare to haircutting?

Christa: Color is not always a “quick fix.” A haircut is a quick fix - but with color - sometimes you have to work with your client for a few sessions. It’s a process. Also it feels like hair gets a say when you color it. You know? Like it might not lift as much as you think it should or it may not pick up as much color as you want and you have to really engage with the hair in a different way and trust the process. Cutting’s not like that. The hair doesn’t get a say. You just chop it off cuz you’re the boss!     

Q: What’s one hair tool and hair product that you can’t live without?

Christa: I heard someone say this before and I am stealing it: my hands! Also, I can’t live without a sea salt spray. My favorite right now is by Davines. 

Q: What’s the best piece of hair advice you’ve ever heard or been given?

Christa: It’s not about hair specifically, but my old boss in San Francisco used to say it about punctuality.

Early is on time. 

On time is late. 

Late is unacceptable. 

We’d roll our eyes, but I hear it every morning as I’m leaving for work.