Interview with George Caroll

 

 

George Caroll is an internationally acclaimed Hollywood hairstylist, salon owner, award winning beauty product designer, industry consultant, beauty columnist and member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Throughout his career, George has been on the leading edge of our beauty profession having introduced (wash and wear unisex hair styles, heat styling tools and professional retail hair care products in the 70's). His web site (georgecaroll.com)  was one of the first internet sites featuring Hollywood hair style beauty secrets. When not globe trotting to promote "American Beauty Culture" George can be found at his hair styling studio in Toluca Lake, just minutes from Universal and Warner Brothers Studio's.

 

What made you choose Cosmetology as a career?

A close high school friend was teaching hairdressing at a beauty college in North Hollywood and suggest I look into hair styling as a career. The minute that I walked into the school I knew this was for me as it complemented my artistic background. I've always looked at (hair cutting-shaping-styling-coloring) as a "living art form". 

 

 

 

Who influenced your career?

George Master Hollywood hair stylist responsible for Marilyn Monroe's sexy hair styles. Also hair shaping and blow dry styling from Jay Seebring, the barber stylist to the stars and creator of the "Dry Look" for men. Over the 40 plus years I've been influenced by many creative beauty industry artists, Vidal Sassoon, Paul Mitchell, Joe Oliveri and stylists from around the world. We all stand on one another's shoulders that's how each of us and our noble profession evolves.

 

  



What stars have you styled ?

With a salon located in Toluca Lake around the corner from Warner Brothers and Universal studio's you can imagine I've had the opportunity to work with producers, directors and  many actors and actresses over the years. Many are featured on my salon web site (Movie Stars Hair Styling Beauty Secrets) with styling tips, beauty innovations and a few giggles. www.georgecaroll.com

 

What can you share with us about operating a salon?

Hair styles will come in and out of fashion over the course of your career. In order to say in business you must keep up with the latest style trends but also remember that not everyone is a Fashionista. Never forget that each person is unique and so is their hair. Make every salon visit a personal hair styling experience. Presentation and follow up is Everything.

What are the major changes you've seen over your career?

I would say: unisex" hair styles, blow dry hair cut styles, thermal controlled hair styling tools, protein hair care products, salon retailing, advanced hair color techniques and salon computer programs. Perhaps the most outstanding change has been the birth of the Internet making it possible to promote your salon locally and share styling technique with like minded beauty professional around the world.

 

 

What are the achievements you're most proud of?

Designing the "Men's Hair Styles" for Gene Roddenberry's original Star Trek television series. And heading up the first every National Style-A-Thon for the Danny Thomas St Jude's Children’s Research Hospital. Together with hair stylist's across America we raised over a million dollars to help fight children's cancer.

 

 

And my Hair Flex Styling Brush. Its the "world's most versatile hair brush" . It combines three of the most popular styling brushes in one, a  (paddle brush, shaping brush and semi-round brush with a built-in comb) for shaping , finishing and blow dry styling. One styling brush does it all.
 

What is the best professional advice you've been given?

My beauty school teacher told me to always remain a student of the art. This way there will always be room for improvement and something to shoot for everyday. Its what you learn after you think you know it all that will keep your professional life challenging, interesting and enjoyable.

 

 



Do you have any hobbies or interests outside the salon?

Creative Photo Art has been a life long avocation. My photo-art images feature all aspects of life around me. I also share my professional styling techniques and experience with students by donating time to local beauty schools and writing beauty blogs and news letters.

 

 

Visit the Studio Style Salon for a hair styling experience