Kim Kimble is a third-generation hair stylist, having started as a shampoo girl for her mother at the family salon in Los Angeles. The individuals who inspired her and encouraged her to pursue this profession are her role models — her mother and grandmother. As she always says, “being a stylist is in her blood.” Ms. Kimble has a formal education in hair care, training professionally at both the Vidal Sassoon Academy and Dudley Cosmetology University in North Carolina. She earned her license from the Universal College of Beauty where she finished her studies in 1990.
In 1995, Kim opened her first salon, Phaze II, in Los Angeles, which has since expanded to a West Hollywood location. For the last 20 years, Kim has worked in the entertainment industry on numerous television shows, music videos, ad campaigns, and films. Her first industry job was B*A*P*S, a hair dramedy starring Halle Berry. This led to more jobs in the film industry, and she subsequently worked with Brandy on the television movie Cinderella, and Beyoncé on Austin Powers: Goldmember. Most recently, she worked with Ava DuVernay to create fantastical styles for A Wrinkle in Time.
To this day, Kim serves as the primary stylist on all of Beyoncé’s film, television, and music projects, in addition to working with celebrities like Zendaya, Taraji P. Henson, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, and even the iconic Miss Piggy. Some recent highlights include styling Shakira’s hair for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Beyoncé’s hair for the 2016 Super Bowl, and Mary J. Blige’s hair for the 2017 Met Gala.
Kim’s hairstyles and innovative techniques have been featured on the pages of Vanity Fair, Allure and Vogue, to name a few, and she has worked with fashion photographers from Patrick Demarchelier, David LaChapelle, and Gilles Bensimon, to Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz. Her work has also appeared in national ad campaigns for brands like Pepsi, Neutrogena, Nike, CoverGirl, McDonald’s, and L’Oreal. In addition to her work behind the scenes, Kim has appeared in front of the camera as a hair expert on numerous television shows, including Oprah, Steve Harvey, Ricki Lake, Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, How Do I Look? and Shear Genius. She has been a Pantene Global Ambassador, and her reality show LA Hair just completed its fifth season on WE TV.
Hows it going Kim, hows your day so far?
My day started with watching Joel Osteen – I need positive motivation and God’s word; it helps to start my day start on a positive note, then for breakfast a gluten-free waffle and veggie sausage then off to work!
Let’s start with how your day usually starts and how it ends?
My day ends with a relaxing bath; but sometimes it ends with crashing, falling to sleep -I work long hours.
As a celebrity hairstylist, is this something you always wanted to pursue a career in?
No, actually; I thought I would be a fashion designer and do hair while I went to school for fashion but quickly fell in love with hair.
Was the hair industry just as you expected it to be?
Not at all; but nevertheless, it’s rewarding to see your work on billboards magazines movies etc. But it is hard work and there are a lot of different personalities.
Did you ever aspire to be like anyone growing up?
Yes -my mother and Madame CJ Walker.
Who was the main influence on you throughout your life?
My mother and grandmother -they were both hairdressers and very strong women.
What has been the hardest challenge you have faced so far?
Being a career woman and trying to have a relationship.
The most rewarding moment in your career?
I’ve had several and I’m sure more to come but being asked to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the top 3 stylists was pretty amazing.
Congratulations on your eponymous hair and beauty collection Kim Kimble, when did you launch your product line?
Thank you! Officially my product line was launched in 2001 but I’ve always played around with “mixtures.”
Can you take us through the journey and the process?
I started with a vision, put it on paper and made a business. I was mentored by successful people already in the industry. I recommend looking for people that are more developed; find a manufacturer, test products, and study the market. Find what your brand, what it represents, who you are as a company: Stay true to these fundamental ideas. Niche is good. There’s a lot to think about when selling products: competitive pricing, packing, manufacturing, are marketing strategies are all important.
Any advice for young aspiring hair stylists out there?
It all starts with a vision. Create a vision board with as much detail as you can -it will be your blueprint for success!
What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?
Be original, forward thinking. Be your own boss. Be the best that you can be and own what you are. Be authentic, you can only be your best you.
Whats next for Kim?
Taking my brand global and producing beauty inspired TV shows and conferences.
Twitter: @KimbleHairCare | Instagram: @KimbleHairCare
