The Ulta Beauty Pro Team has officially found its newest member. Ulta Beauty announced last week that celebrity hairstylist and beauty industry pioneer Vernon François has joined its Pro Team, a collaborative group of industry leaders who bring the vision and experience of The Salon at Ulta Beauty to life.
François couldn’t help but share his excitement about the partnership on Instagram, writing in a post, “As a creative artist whose mission is to make all individuals feel their most beautiful, the possibilities with this new partnership are profound. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and excited for the future working with this award-winning pro team to deliver best in class education and so much more.”
In his new role with the Ulta Beauty Pro Team, François will amplify the hair care education and advocacy message he presents on behalf of himself and Redken, where he currently serves as a Global Consultant, Celebrity Hairstylist, and Educator. He will also customize visuals and content via the Pro Team, specifically for the Ulta Beauty community, platforms, and presentations.
Not to mention, he will work closely with Nick Stenson, Ulta Beauty Senior Vice President, Store and Services Operations, and Anna Manukyan, Senior Director, Creative and Education, along with other members of the Pro Team to drive trend and services development.
Speaking on François’ appointment, Stenson shared, “I’ve respected Vernon and his work for years, and I am excited to see this Pro Team collaboration come to life. He is an inspiring, iconic talent, and we look forward to the perspective he will bring as we create and deliver the best beauty education to our stylists.”
Manukyan added, “Vernon’s work is always top-level, and his voice is a valuable addition to our Pro Team and to ongoing conversation around texture and inclusion. His insights will complement the education we are building for and with our 9,000 stylists working across more than 1,350 Ulta Beauty locations throughout the country.”
About Vernon François
With François’s extensive background and experience in hair, as well as, his many accolades, he is sure to make a major impact as an Ulta Beauty Pro Team member. Not only is he considered to be one of the world’s most sought-after hairstylists and educators, but he’s also an expert across all hair types and textures—including straight hair. Along with championing the versatility of “Afro” and curly hair, he has helped individuals worldwide erase their fears of managing their hair at home, by showing them how to embrace its shape, volume, and personality.
Obsessed with hair since childhood, François, who was raised in a Rastafrian household, taught himself to braid, loc, and twist hair at just eight years old. By age 14, he was working at a salon on London’s Oxford Street and by 16, he had won the Newcomer of the Year award at Black Beauty Hair Awards. At 19, he was the Black Hair Junior Stylist of the Year and was featured on the list of Top 20 Influential Black People Under 40.
Now based in Los Angeles, François was recently named the winner of a 2023 Hollywood Beauty Award for Hairstylist as well as one of Hollywood’s most influential hairstylists for four years running by The Hollywood Reporter. Working as a celebrity hairstylist, François has gained global recognition for his incredibly work with A-list stars such as Lupita Nyong’o, Solange Knowles, Serena Williams, Willow Smith, Iman, Natasha Lyonne, Ava DuVernay, Cynthian Erivo, and many more. In fact, his work with Nyong’o is featured in the Top 25 Beauty Moments of the Year, and his editorial styling of Serena Wlliams’ Vanity Fair cover grabbed international attention.
A member of the inaugural Ulta Beauty Muse 100, François is a judge for Allure’s Best of Beauty Awards as well as the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA). Additionally, NAHA has appointed him to its advisory committee. Not to mention, François is also the founder of his own eponymous luxury haircare brand.
To keep up with François’s upcoming collaborations with the Ulta Beauty Pro Team, be sure to follow @vernonfrancois on Instagram.
