Jen Atkin’s Mane University Aims to Inspire and Educate
Hairstylist Jen Atkin on set with Khloe Kardashian. (Photo: Instagram)
When celebrity hair stylist Jen Atkin launched Mane Addicts in 2014, it quickly became a beauty inspiration destination. The carefully curated content focuses on celebrity trends and the hair masters behind them — Atkin included. It wasn’t long after launching the site that Mane Addicts also began to offer educational classes with top stylists and makeup artists like Tracey Cunningham, Sir John, and Mary Phillips, in an effort to reach other industry experts. “I started Mane University as a way to share knowledge from myself and so many other industry experts,” says Atkin. “There is a real lack of education in the hair industry. People from all over the world are hungry to learn from so many of my colleagues.” She partnered with makeup artist Mary Phillips and Khloe Kardashian for a class in Dubai back in May and is holding another next week in Syndney, Australia. Most recently, she teamed up with hair stylist Harry Josh for a one-day class in New York City that covered everything from extensions to perfect beach waves.
“This class is for the new hairstylist, for the cosmetology student, and for hair enthusiasts” says Atkin. “We make our classes intimate and relatable to both professionals and amateurs. I think there is something everyone can take away from it.” Josh agrees, telling us that the class appeals to a wide range of people and skill levels, from a young hairdresser just starting out to a seasoned stylist stuck in a rut. Tickets for the class come with a hefty price tag — $450 for one session and $650 for a full-day pass to see both Josh and Atkin. Yes, it’s a lot, but after attending both sessions I can attest that the amount of knowledge you walk out with is worth the investment (although, you won’t see me standing behind a salon chair anytime soon). I filled almost half a notebook full of tips, tutorials, anecdotes, and product recommendations not only from these two pro instructors, but also from the other students, many of whom work as freelance stylists or in salons from Chicago to New Mexico.
Josh’s does Victoria’s Secret hair for model Behati Prinsloo (Photo: Instagram)
Both Josh and Atkin demonstrated their skills on a range of models in front of the group, opening up the class to discussion, questions, comments, and a lot of photos. The setting was intimate, with around 50 attendees at each of the sessions, held at Dreamdry in New York City’s Flatiron neighborhood. Josh walked the group through his famous Victoria’s Secret waves, focusing on the importance of using the right products (for Josh, it’s John Frieda Frizz Ease Mousse, $7) and keeping hair well conditioned. “Know your basics and how to break the rules,” he told the class, spending the last 30 minutes of his session talking about his career and offering advice on breaking into the industry. “You have to live in New York or Los Angeles,” he advised. “If you’re not available, you’ll miss the opportunity.”
Khloe Kardashian, a client of Atkin’s, shows off the signature broken-up wave look. (Photo: Instagram)
For her session, Atkin encouraged attendees to stand up for a closer view as she demonstrated her signature waves — you’ve seen them on everyone from Khloe Kardashian to Chrissy Teigen — as well as how to use extensions to add length and volume to a client’s style. “I learn from everyone,” said Atkin. “I learn from watching other artists and now I am teaching what I’ve learned.” Working with her two assistants, Atkin walked the group through four different looks in four hours, peppering her presentation with wisdom about everything from the best dry shampoo (Balmain Dry Shampoo, $29, because it’s really powdery) to how to cover up (or create) your roots (Rita Hazan Root Concealer, $25).
“We have so many more artists who want to teach classes worldwide and we hope to eventually have a streaming service online,” says Atkin regarding future plans. Whether you’re a stylist hungry for more knowledge or just addicted to all things hair, Mane University will give you your fix.
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