It’s likely that every seasoned Instagram scroller in Cayman has seen the work of local hair legend Kelly Massias.
With a packed client list, super trendy salon, and 240,000 followers on Instagram, Kelly is in her girl-boss era and shows no signs of slowing down.
PREPARING FOR LIFT-OFF
Kelly has always dreamt of being a hairstylist.
“When I was little, I always loved going to the salon… I loved the vibe and the people,” she remembers. “I am also a creative by nature, so it was a perfect fit for me.”
She completed her basic training in Canada and, armed with a cosmetology licence, she moved to Cayman and worked in a local salon.
“Education at that time was not easily accessible, so I had to learn a lot through trial and error,” she says. “I am, for the most part self-taught.”
After the birth of her first son, Kelly decided to open a private studio – Lift Hair. “At that time, Lift was just one chair, and I spent the next 10 years working, juggling motherhood with two young boys, running a small business and learning to perfect my craft,” she says.
After a while, Kelly craved the creative environment of a team. “I truly missed working with other liked-minded people and decided it was time for a bigger space and to build a team,” she says. “We moved into our new and current location in 2018, and I now have an amazing team of four extremely talented women.”
Kelly is known both locally and internationally for her skills, in particular for the art of balayage, a free-hand painting technique in which product is laid on the surface of the hair in a gentle sweeping motion, creating a soft and natural result.
“I have fine-tuned my craft over many years of practise, and have learned to read the hair and how it moves; this helps me create customised colours,” she explains. “I am a very visual person and have taken all the classic principles of a traditional balayage to create my own style that can be easily recognised.”
SOCIALLY ENGAGING
As well as being nominated for eight industry awards over the years, Kelly’s impressive social media following is testament to her work.
“There really is no secret to gaining a following on social media,” she says. “It’s really about consistency and finding your niche or personal brand and sticking to it. “Communicating with your audience is also very important. My social media is heavily technique-based at this point, so it does attract more professionals than clients. That being said, many clients look to my page for inspiration, which I love.”
Kelly’s skills and social media outreach have helped her build a solid client base, and gain brand partnerships, as well as opportunities to collaborate and teach. “I started educating in 2019 and since then I have taught classes in Cayman, New York, New Jersey, LA and Toronto,” she says. “In my class I teach my signature balayage technique, as well as tips on social media and photography.
JUGGLING ACT
Life for Kelly is busy, balancing home life with sons Russell and Andre, and husband Jose, alongside her thriving business. “It is definitely a juggling act,” she says. “I always try to give my full attention to the area that needs it most. I honestly couldn’t do any of it without my amazing husband who is also my business partner. He has always been very supportive of all my goals, both personal and professional.”
KELLY’S HEALTHY HAIR TIPS
Healthy scalp equals healthy hair. Here are Kelly’s top tips for a healthier scalp.
- Exfoliate your scalp by gently brushing it before every wash. This will help lift off old product and residue so it can be more easily washed away.
- Always double shampoo.
- Massage scalp often to stimulate blood flow circulation and hair growth. Use firm circular motions with fingers or a scalp massager for best results.
Environment plays a large role in healthy hair. Here are Kelly’s top tips for the Cayman lifestyle.
- Always use a moisturising UV and heat protector on your hair. Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the UV rays. SPF30+ recommended.
- Thoroughly rinse your hair with fresh water directly after salt water or chlorine exposure. Leaving salt water or chlorine in your hair will make it brittle, dull and discoloured.
- Braid it. Whether exercising in the humidity or diving in the sea a braid is the best way to keep your hair out of the way. It keeps the hair from knotting and causes the least amount of friction and stress to the hair during physical activity.
This article originally appeared in What’s Hot Spring 2024 issue.
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