Iles Formula Hair Talk Featuring Ryan Mckinley from Ryan M. Scottsdale Salon

Ryan Mckinley is the owner and top stylist to his namesake, Ryan M Scottsdale. Working over 20 years in the beauty industry, his journey began at 18 by leaving his home town of Salt Lake City, Utah, At the 7 year mark, he had conquered the beauty industry of Utah and was ready for something bigger, hence here it is Ryan M Scottsdale.  Take a look at Iles Formula's first intro to Ryan M Salon which today is an actual reality.

Ryan M Scottsdale Salon

IF: Tell us what you think is the biggest challenge in hairdressing today?

A) The first biggest challenge is Social Media, when you see 15 clients a day the challenge to keep up on capturing your work is very arduous. In order to stay on top, it is so important to have your work photographed and seen through social media.

B) Second is the importance of the new generation to have the skill set required to cut short hair. All I see is long hair and extensions in the salon. It’s just a matter of time before that trend fades away and shorter hair comes back in.

IF: What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?

The most enjoyable part of my job is making my clients feel beautiful and allowing that beauty to glow from within. To me, there’s no greater feeling than having someone sit in your chair with an unhappy vibe then have them leave feeling like a million bucks.

IF: Why did you choose the path of hairdressing and was it easy to fall into this work?

I feel as though this path chose me, ever since I was 4 years old I knew I wanted to be a hairdresser. My cousin had thick long gorgeous hair and I would stare at it and literally be hypnotized by it. I started playing with hair at that point next thing I knew I was in high school with a lineup of friends wanting me to color, cut, style their hair. It was a natural gift I was born with I couldn’t imagine a career in any other field.

IF: If you had not made the decision to be a hairdresser what would you have been?

If I wasn’t doing hair I could see myself in real estate, that is really the only other career that draws my interest. I would probably be flipping homes because I love to create and design. I guess you could say I’m in love with taking anything from drab to fab.

IF: What is your greatest strength?

My greatest strength lies in my people skills. I can converse and find common ground with anyone. I love people and I love diving into someone and trying to figure them out.

IF: Your favourite hairdressing tools?

My favorite tool would be my vent brush. I can achieve great results on any hair texture or style with a vent brush and a blow dryer. I can use it to flat wrap, leaf, create body and with the vents it allows the hair to dry very fast.

IF: Tell us about your relationship with Iles Formula. How you discovered us and which formula is your favourite?

I first read about Iles in a magazine, and then shortly after a close friend mentioned it and how in love she was with it. Once I tried it, it all clicked and I was immediately drawn to the holy grail of all products. This is hands down, in my opinion; the biggest game changer our industry has had in years. I couldn’t pick just one product as a favorite because the entire line is my favorite, it can transform literally any hair type and texture to hair that clients dream of.

IF: What was the most challenging job you ever made?

I had a celebrity client that came in to me for their first visit that had a head full of extensions. I’m talking all the way up to her part line on the top of their head. The hair was a disaster, and she wanted every bit of it highlighted in foil, but didn’t want the extensions taken out. Foiling around a million keratin bonded strands was a total nightmare. Somehow I got through it and she was very, happy but let's just say that was the hardest.

IF: What was your worst hair moment and why…. privately or on set/stage or in the salon?

Luckily for me, but not my wife, my worst hair moment happened on her. I was fresh out of beauty school and she asked me to highlight her hair. This was back in the day of the thick striped zebra look. So I foiled her set her under the heat and about 5 minutes later the foils were smoking. I immediately washed her and every bit of her hair I highlighted came out with the foil. Well turns out she had chemically straightened her hair at home with some over the counter stuff. Major Lesson learned consultations are a must before coloring a new client.

IF: If you could style anyone’s hair, who would it be and why?

Britney Spears would definitely be on the top of my list, she is such a pretty girl but always has bad hair. I know if she was in the right hands I could help her in a major way! “Britt call me”

IF: Where do you pull hair inspiration from?

I pull my bins from everywhere, I eat, sleep, and breathe fashion. I love creating cutting edge and trending looks and pull from the past, present, future of hair to inspire me for the new creations.

IF: Your advice to young hairdressers starting out?

My advice would be that when starting out you need to be hungry, and start from the bottom. Find a mentor that you can look up to, and like a sponge absorb everything you can from their skills. I’ve also noticed a big problem with young talent coming in. They can learn to do hair, but have no clue how to communicate, no people skills. It is a new generation where all communication is done through texting and social media. Clients are not going to be confident or comfortable unless you learn the skill of eye contact and clear communication. Charismatic people skills are the other half of being successful in this industry.

IF: Thank you Ryan for sharing a moment with us all.