Meet Michael James
Professional Background
Michael is a licensed cosmetologist and educator with nearly a decade of experience across salon services, technical training, curriculum development, and stylist mentorship. His background includes leadership roles where he facilitated workshops, supported stylist development, and helped build education-focused programs across multiple locations.
Before becoming a stylist, Michael spent 10 years as a graphic designer — an experience that still influences the way he approaches hair through shape, balance, proportion, color placement, and detail.
Behind the chair, Michael is known for his calm professionalism, refined technique, and thoughtful client communication. His approach is rooted in honesty, structure, and artistry, with a strong focus on creating hair that feels elevated, wearable, and tailored to each client’s lifestyle.
He believes great hair starts with a thorough consultation, realistic expectations, and a clear plan. Whether the service is a precision haircut, dimensional color, blonding, or corrective work, Michael prioritizes the integrity of the hair and the overall client experience from start to finish.
Specialties and Services
Precision Haircutting & Custom Styling
Michael specializes in clean, structured haircuts with soft, modern detailing. Each cut is tailored to the client’s face shape, hair texture, lifestyle, and personal style. His work includes men’s grooming, textured cuts, classic shapes, modern silhouettes, and customized styling designed to feel polished, wearable, and easy to maintain.
Dimensional Color & Lived-In Balayage
Michael creates low-maintenance, lived-in color designed to grow out softly and naturally. His color work includes dimensional brunettes, sun-kissed balayage, soft brightness, refined color transitions, and customized placement that adds depth, movement, and balance to the hair.
Expert Blonding & Highlights
From bright, natural blonding to traditional foil highlights, soft lowlights, and customized toning, Michael uses advanced techniques to create thoughtful blonding results while maintaining the health and integrity of the hair. His approach focuses on realistic goals, healthy-looking results, and color that complements each client’s features and lifestyle.
Color Correction & Advanced Formulation
Michael has a strong foundation in corrective color and advanced formulation. Whether addressing uneven tone, unwanted warmth, previous color history, or a major color shift, he approaches corrective work with strategy, honesty, and care. His priority is always to protect the integrity of the hair while working toward the best possible result.
Extensions & Glossing Services
Michael offers tape-in extensions for clients wanting added volume, fullness, or length. He also provides professional glossing services to refresh tone, enhance shine, and create a polished finish between larger color appointments.
Fun Facts
Before becoming a stylist, Michael spent 10 years as a graphic designer, which still shapes the way he sees balance, color, structure, and detail in hair.
He believes the consultation is one of the most important parts of the appointment because great hair starts with honesty, not guessing.
He would rather protect the integrity of your hair than promise a result your hair cannot safely handle.
His favorite clients are the ones who value communication, trust, and a long-term hair plan.
Michael believes luxury hair is not about being flashy, but about feeling considered, cared for, and listened to.
Client Testimonials
“From the moment I walked in, he made me feel at home… he gave me the best haircut I’ve had in a long, long time and the best color I’ve ever gotten… I’m so happy I can stop searching.”
“Michael reached out to me personally prior to our appointment to discuss my hair goals and concerns… He was very thorough… He is the first person to get the correct color and tone I wanted.”
“Michael thoroughly explained the process to achieve the look I wanted… I could tell the integrity of my hair was a priority… My hair looks so much healthier”
“I have very thick, difficult hair. MJ made my hair look better than it has ever looked in my life… My roommate immediately booked an appointment for the following day… He has serious talent and truly goes above and beyond”
“He is extremely knowledgeable and has a good eye for what works best for my face frame and hair texture… His color knowledge is next level”
