Cornell Jermaine’s Top 10 YOU Must Watch Hair Professsionals of 2016…
I decided this year to highlight my top 10 must watch hair professionals because I am always inspired and excited to see other professionals in the hair industry doing great things. These fellow hair stylist, educators and business owners in my opinion are occupying their space within the industry exceptionally well. To me they are the cream of the crop. Their ambition and innovation is remarkable and I believe this year will be a significant year in their careers.

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Pekela Riley: pekelariley on IG
This second generation celebrity hair stylist hails from the sunshine state of Florida. What drew me to her was her fun and inviting personality but it was not long after that I realized her awesome ability to cut and style hair. Her work has been featured in publications such as Essence, Ebony and Sophisticates Hair to name a few. Though she’s done some notable things in her career I believe we have yet to see the best of her. She is a in my opinion a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Anthony: Anthonycuts on IG
Hampton Virginia native Anthony of Anthonycutslive.com is a hair stylist after my own heart. Not only do I love his hair styling and cutting ability but I love his work ethic. He is an exceptional hair artist but beyond that he does make-up. And not just a basic beauty face he puts a beating on those beauties. When I see a young black man taking strides like he is I can’t help but to take notice. His creative abilities and work ethic makes me smile. And to me that makes him a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Micha B: iammichab on IG
This next young lady is a talented hair stylist with a body of work that is remarkable but if I am honest what attracted me to her was her sweet and humble personality. Being in the industry for as long as I have you come across many people with talent and skill out of this world but it’s not very often that you find one that is just as humble and nice as they are talented. Well Ms Micha B of Los Angeles California is just that. Her work has been seen on celebs such as Raven Symone, Rachel Roy and Erica Campbell of Mary Mary to name a few. She is a great stylist and a sweet spirit and that to me is the perfect formula for success. With that said she is for sure a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Angela Christine: angelacstyles on IG
You’ve seen this young lady featured on the hit TV show “LA Hair”, Ms Angela Christine Stevens. She wears so many hats in the industry and in my opinion she wears them very well. Not only is she a hair stylist but a Bi-coastal hair stylist which means she maintains a clientele over several states. In addition to that she is a platform artist, brand ambassador, educator and TV personality. Her ability to juggle the varying titles that she holds all while operating in excellence makes her to me a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Najah Aziz: liketheriversalon on IG
Master Stylist and Salon Owner Najah Aziz is one of the industries top educators. And a beacon of inspiration. She left a 16 year corporate career to pursue her passion and as a result we have the phenomenal Atlanta based salon “Like The River Salon” a haven of beautification and pampering. Her inspiring attitude and quality of service is A-1 for that reason she is without a doubt a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Andrea Cheese: andrea_cheese on IG
I have admired the work of this next hair care professional for many years. Not only is her skill-set and artistry exceptional but her passion for education is second to none. This hair professional, salon owner, educator, magazine editor and amazing hair artist has been influencing the hair industry for many years. On behalf of myself and many hair professionals in my generation I want to thank and honor Ms Andrea Cheese for being a pioneer and blazing a trail for other talented stylist. Her innovation, drive and love for the craft of hair continues to touch so many, for that reason she is definitely a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Kellon Deryck: kellonderyck on IG
As a hair professional that finds joy in the progressive movement of this great profession I must say this young man makes me proud. I am always excited to see black men taking their craft seriously and operating in it with a unique fresh edge. Kellon Deryck the owner of “Flawless Illusion” a retail hair company that provides beautiful tresses for many celebrities and hair enthusiasts (and I hear there is a salon coming soon) is definitely about his business. He’s doing an amazing job and at the rate he is going he is destined to to do great things this year and beyond. Certainly he is a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Derickus Crawford: derickus on IG
My next featured stylist hails from the city of Charlotte North Carolina. I have admired his work for many years. Being a native Detroit stylist I grew up with an exceptional taste for great hair styling. There are many professionals that can care for hair and keep it healthy but there aren’t many who can style hair, especially when it’s short. This guy has been styling hair exceptionally well for several years. He is a master stylist, educator and the personal hair stylist for American Idols Fantasia Barrino. I am thoroughly convinced that we can expect some great things from him which makes him a 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Tokyo Stylez: tokyostylez on IG
This young man began his career at the age of 11 years old. Since then he has honed his craft and built a mega empire within the beauty and entertainment industry. With a celebrity clientele that ranges from Naomi Campbell to Lil Kim his unique ability to style hair has been seen around the globe. In addition to his exceptional celebrity clientele he spends countless hours traveling and educating hair enthusiasts. On top of that he is well known for his masterful wig creations. Tokyo Stylez is a definite 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂

2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro!
Ming Lee: iamminglee on IG
Last but certainly not least this young lady is a Lifestyle Beauty Expert and is revered by hair professionals, bloggers and customers alike. She took a $500 investment and turned it into a million dollar company. And in my opinion her innovation and business acumen is second to none. Her brand “SnobLife” has been inspiring and beautifying women for some time now and I don’t foresee it taking a back seat anytime soon. This to me makes her a bonafide 2016 You Must Watch Hair Pro. 🙂
Well, this concludes my Top 10 You Must Watch Hair Professionals of 2016. Trust me, if I had the time I could list hundreds of hair stylist that are making a mark on our industry and building exceptional brands but I had to narrow it down to 10. I picked these hair care professionals because something about their story, ability, work ethic, presence, and professionalism resonated with me. They among many are doing an amazing job in our industry and for that reason I think they are sure to do some bigger, better and more remarkable things in 2016, watch and see! 🙂 CJ