Pinterest boards at the ready!
Whether you're a professional in the industry or you're just looking for a fresh, new way to style your hair, Mane Addicts should already be bookmarked. Founded by celeb hairstylist Jen Atkin, the site's a platform for premium, exclusive hair-related content that allows its readers to shop, discover and share. Want how-to tutorials? They've shot 'em. Want expert workshops? They host 'em. Want celebrity contributors? They've got 'em.
It's one-stop shopping for all your hair wants and curiosities, and it's run by two incredibly inspiring individuals: celeb hairstylist/editorial director Justine Marjan and creative director/content manager Ashley Alanis. It's time you got to know them.
What was your first job?
Justine Marjan: Tinker's Burgers!
Ashley Alanis: Babysitting at the age of 12, make that money.
How did you get into the industry?
JM: I worked at a hair salon in Santa Barbara for 8 years before moving to LA and assisting Jen Atkin. When I started with her, I was one out of her two employees (now she has a TEAM). As we began developing the idea of Mane Addicts, I worked alongside Jen doing everything from picking up dry cleaning to assisting her on set for editorial and celebrity shoots. I then began spending more time writing stories, producing shoots and conducting interviews as Mane Addicts continued building its own voice and personality.
AA: I stemmed from the fashion industry and was introduced to the beauty industry via Mane Addicts
What is a typical day like for you?
JM: Nothing is ever typical! On an ideal day I wake up early, go to Equinox around 6 a.m., answer emails in the morning, work on some clients, head to the MA office, go to a shoot, etc. What I love most about my life right now is no two days are ever the same. It keeps things fun.
AA: Either drowning in emails, parading around fabulous sets with rad artists for our Mane Addicts editorials or conceptualizing my life away.
Tell us about your office décor.
JM: Jen wanted to create a space that was organized, modern, bright and made a statement, but also felt like home. We sit in an open space so we're all involved in what each other are working on—it's a hub for teamwork. We also host a lot of people in our offices and wanted a space that was worthy of Snapchats, so we worked with her friends at Consort Design and Wayfair to design the perfect space.
What are your favorite items on your desk and why/what do they mean to you?
JM: Glossier Balm Dotcom because I can't live without it, my phone charger, flavored water because I'm always thirsty, and Leonor Greyl Eclat Naturel for mid-day hair touch ups.
AA: My phone charger, forever plugged to the world.
What's the best part about your job?
JM: The opportunity to connect with so many great and inspiring people.
AA: The opportunity to create with insanely talented humans.
What's the most daring career risk you've ever taken?
JM: Leaving my hometown for LA!
AA: Turning down a job in NY at Alice + Olivia to launch my own publication, which is how I dove into the editorial world. I wouldn't change it though because it led me to my career with Mane Addicts.
Who are some of your career heroes?
JM: Jen Atkin for obvious reasons. She's been so supportive, such an amazing mentor and I love the way she always uplifts the people around her. I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to work with her. Tracey Cunningham, because she's another amazing female with a successful salon and Hrush Achemyan because she's another supportive female entrepreneur who works so hard and has built an amazing name for herself.
AA: Oprah Winfrey, Anna Wintour, Simon Cowell, Michael Jordan, Jen Atkin, Justine Marjan and Anh Co Tran.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
JM: Tracey Cunningham said that no one who has ever been truly successful didn't work really hard for it. Jen always taught me to be grateful, supportive of those around me and to not approach work with a competitive spirit—there's enough to go around for all of us to be successful.
AA: ‘Prepare yourself for every opportunity.'
What is Mane Addicts best known for and why do you think it does so well?
JM: MA's known for the way we bridge what goes on behind the scenes with what happens in front of the camera. We offer a glimpse behind the glam squads that do the most iconic hairstyles, interviews with experts, and advice and inspiration for all things hair related!
AA: Mane Addicts is best known as a source of all things hair. We do it well because we're so focused on giving stylists a platform to shine while simultaneously keeping our finger on the pulse.
What celeb is doing hair "right?"
JM: I love how bold Zendaya is. The Mane Addicts shoot she did with us was one for the books!
AA: Zendaya for sure #ManeMuse forever.
What hair trend do you love right now?
JM: Messy hair.
AA: Unicorn-colored hair.
Who dead or alive would you love to have on the site (in Justine's case, style)?
JM: Brigitte Bardot because she invented sexy bed head.
AA: Rapunzel or Samson because he had power in his hair!
What exciting things do you have coming up?
AA: Shoots with Madison Beer, Jordyn Woods and Keke Palmer. We just did a fun collab with The Coveteur that we'll be releasing soon and we're also rolling out a dope new program that we can't say too much about, but it's going to be MAJOR.
Justine, finish the sentences below:
Today for lunch I had…a veggie bowl from Zinque.
The first website I log onto every day is…Mane Addicts.
My usual Starbucks order is…a venti, unsweetened iced green tea
If I wasn't doing this job, I would…be a trapeze artist for the circus.
My favorite place to visit is…Paris!
List five things that are on your desk right now…MA notepad, phone charger, mail, Christophe Robin sea salt scrub, crystals, computer.
The book I'm reading right now is…Strong Looks Better Naked by Khloe Kardashian.
Ashley, finish the sentences below:
Today for lunch I had…cucumbers with lemon and salt.
The first website I log onto every day is…maneaddicts.com
My usual Starbucks order is…trenta iced green tea, unsweetened, with lots of ice.
If I wasn't doing this job, I would…be a space travel agent.
My favorite place to visit is…home.
List five things that are on your desk right now…Post-Its galore, a selfie stick, flowers, the new dyson supersonic and lots of snacks.
The book I'm reading right now is…The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.