Clayton Hawkins is officially the new brand ambassador for Donna Bella Hair Extensions. Hawkins whose clients include Gen Z icons Olivia Rodrigo, Addison Rae, Dove Cameron and Rachel Zegler among others (and more!) is bringing his expert touch to the pro-loved extension brand.
As established by his brilliant social media content, Hawkins was both born to do hair and forever hair-obsessed. He started applying hair extensions to his older sisters at age 10 and by ninth grade, he was booked solid doing prom looks on all the seniors. Hawkins specializes in wigs, extensions and the art of transformation. But most importantly, Hawkins lives to make his clients look and feel beautiful, which is why they keep coming back. Now, he’s lending some of that magic to Donna Bella.
Known for its 100% Remy human hair and seamless, long-lasting application, Donna Bella offers everything from tape-ins to K-tips, making it a go-to for stylists and style-seekers alike who want effortless transformations. The Tease linked up with Hawkins to talk about his new role with the brand, what other pros need to know, and much more. Read on for our convo.
The Tease: What drew you to partner with Donna Bella Hair as a brand ambassador, and what stands out to you about their extensions compared to others you’ve worked with?
Clayton Hawkins: I’ve tried every extension brand under the sun, and Donna Bella is the one that always delivers. The hair is high-quality, the shades blend like a dream, and most importantly — they don’t give me a heart attack when the paparazzi flash goes off.
What does being a Donna Bella brand ambassador mean to you and how do you see yourself supporting pros through this partnership?
Hawkins: It means championing a brand I actually use on set, not just posing with a logo. I want to help other stylists feel confident using extensions — whether they’re finessing a bob or building a mermaid mane — and remind them that it should be fun, not scary.
What impact do you hope your work with Donna Bella will have on both the brand and the wider extensions industry?
Hawkins: I want to take extensions out of the ‘secret add-on’ category and put them front and center as a styling essential. With Donna Bella, it’s not just about longer hair — it’s about giving clients that movie-star confidence, whether they’re on a red carpet or in the carpool lane.
As a stylist who works across red carpets and editorial shoots, how do you adapt extensions for different contexts?
Hawkins: Red carpets are about bombproof glam — nothing can budge. Editorials are about flexibility — we’re changing looks all day. My secret weapon is blending and texturizing so the extensions disappear. If you can’t spot them in HD flash on Getty images, I’ve done my job.
For stylists new to working with extensions, what’s one piece of advice you’d give them to set themselves up for success with Donna Bella?
Hawkins: Don’t rush the color match. It’s like dating — if the shade’s even a little off, everyone notices. Luckily Donna Bella has so many tones, it’s basically Tinder for extensions — there’s a perfect match for every head.
To see what Hawkins and Donna Bella Hair Extensions get up to, together, be sure to follow the brand on social media. And, if you’re not already following Hawkins, run don’t walk.
