Ray D is an L.A. based celebrity hairstylist with clients like Adrienne Bailon, Cassie, Jeannie Mai, Draya Michele, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Niecy Nash, RaVaughn, Amber Riley, and Sherri Shepherd. For each one of these gorgeous gals, he has created everything from the coiffed up-do to long breezy beach waves. Below he tells us how he got his start and continues to make it to the top.
At what point did you realize you had a talent in styling hair?
I graduated high school at 17 thinking that I would go into the criminal justice field. After careful consideration and my best friend asking me to style her hair for her one day before we went to an event, I realized that I was kind of good at it and thought, “why not try my hand at hairstyling?”
How did you develop your talent?
I developed my talent by working on my aunts’, cousins’ and sister’s hair. I know they all got burned a few times, but they all encouraged me to continue in this field and allowed me to practice different techniques and styles on them.
Did you have any mentors or sources of inspiration?
Once I started doing hair, my mentor was Kim Berry (Prince’s hairstylist), but I was inspired by a few fellow hairstylists whom I had recently had the opportunity to work alongside (Larry Sims and Ceaser Ramirez) who had been in the industry a lot longer than myself.
What hair trends are you in love with right now?
I’m usually into long hair or weaves, but right now, I’m really feeling the different braided styles and techniques I’ve seen.
Favorite styling products and tools?
My top three products and tools I can’t be without are: my one-inch flat iron, my Sebastian Zero Gravity hair spray and my Biosilk hair drops.
How do you challenge yourself?
I like to challenge myself by creating better versions of what I’ve done before or better versions of styles I’ve seen that inspire me.
What does your career look like 5 years from now?
I see myself as a global brand ambassador for a major product line and having my own hair extension collection.
Finish these sentences
Beauty is … within yourself.
Style is … ever changing.
I am … innovative and fresh (or so I like to think)
Check out some of his work below:
