Hair Judges: Marie Claire US Skin & Hair Awards 2025

Jennifer is the creator and founder of Renaissance Salon & Spa, a celebrity hairstylist, extension specialist, and salon owner. Beginning a career at just 17 years old, she turned a passion for hair into reality by opening Renaissance Salon & Spa in 2006.

With a deep focus on mastering the “why” behind every technique, Jennifer ensures both creativity and consistency in every look. As a certified colorist, she specializes in all coloring techniques and has extensive expertise in hand-tied and other extension methods, creating seamless, natural-looking transformations.

Jennifer's work has been featured in Elle, Real Simple, Popsugar, and more, with styling credits for NYC Fashion Week, Miami Fashion Week, and multiple celebrity shoots. Whether behind the chair or on set, Jennifer's dedicated to elevating beauty and confidence through expert artistry. You can find her on instagram @jenniferkorabhair.

Kiyah Wright is a multi-Emmy Award-winning celebrity hairstylist, renowned for creating iconic looks for stars like Tyra Banks, Jennifer Hudson, and Ciara. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Vogue, Essence, and more. Over her career, she has been a brand ambassador for P&G brands, including Head & Shoulders, Clairol, and Pantene, leaving a lasting mark on the beauty industry. As an entrepreneur, Kiyah authored From Beauty to Business, a guide on branding, finance, and building a successful beauty empire. She is also the founder of MUZE|HAIR, a premium wig, product and extension line trusted by Hollywood’s elite. You can find her on instagram @kiyahwright1.

Jennifer Yepez is a New York-based international hairstylist known for creating bold, dramatic looks for celebrities like Jessica Alba, Zendaya, Salma Hayek, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, and more.

Starting her career at 15 in Ecuador, she later trained at John Frieda in New York, assisting Serge Normant before transitioning to fashion shoots and runway shows. By 20, she was freelancing with industry legends like Orlando Pita and Sam McKnight. Her talent attracted top brands like Versace, Nars, and Dolce & Gabbana for campaigns. A former Honest Beauty ambassador, she was named Kérastase’s Celebrity Hairstylist in 2018.

A respected beauty expert, Yepez has been featured in Vogue, Allure, Glamour, and Harper’s Bazaar. She won Beauty Influencer of the Year at the 2019 Influencer Awards Monaco and was named one of Hola Magazine’s Top 100 Latina Beauty Icons. You can find her on instagram @Jennifer_Yepez.

Dr. Mona Mislankar is a board certified dermatologist practicing in Cincinnati, Ohio and is the founder of Cincinnati Skin Center and co-founder of Oathology skincare. As a dermatologist she treats skin and nail disorders, but has a specific interest in healthy hair and hair loss as well. Her practice focuses on delivering unparalleled dermatological expertise with a steadfast commitment to exceptional patient-centered care. Dr. Mislankar received her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and her medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She received her dermatology training at the University of Florida, where she served as chief resident. Additionally she has been featured in the media for dermatology, and especially the hair space and authored multiple publications in the beauty space including Vogue, People, Marie Claire, PopSugar, and RealSelf. You can find her on instagram @drmislankar.

Sunnie Brook, creator of the famous Butterfly Haircut, is a Celebrity Hairdresser with over 20 years of experience. A former salon owner and educator, she specializes in crafting relaxed, luxurious styles. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and L’Officiel, and she has styled top celebrities, including Hailey Bieber, Jared Leto, and Jenna Ortega. Sunnie has also built a loyal online audience, sharing pro hair tips and education, making her a trusted voice in beauty and haircare. With a passion for innovation, she continues to shape trends and inspire the industry. You can find her instagram @sunniebrook.

Bridgette Hill is a certified trichologist and expert colorist with over 25 years in the beauty industry, known as The Scalp Therapist.

As the founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis, she offers virtual consultations and treatments, addressing hair and scalp concerns through a holistic approach that combines products, ingestibles, and technology. Trained in Ayurveda at the Aveda Institute and certified by the World Trichology Society, she has worked in top New York salons and as creative director for The Four Seasons in Palm Beach.

Hill’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, O, The Oprah Magazine, Elle, and more, alongside appearances on The Tamron Hall Show and leading beauty podcasts. She collaborates with many top beauty brands, educating and mentoring the next generation of hair and science experts.

She is a member of the World Trichology Society and sees clients in Palm Beach and New York at Paul Labrecque Salon. You can find her on instagram at @thescalptherapist.

Kevin Kelly is a celebrity hairstylist and salon owner, specializing in extensions, color, and styling. With nearly a decade of experience, he is renowned for creating seamless, natural-looking transformations. Kevin opened the Kevin Kelly Salon in 2016, where he continued to master his craft alongside top industry professionals. His work has graced NYC and LA Fashion Weeks, and he has styled high-profile clients like Meghan Trainor, Bethenny Frankel, and Dolores Catania. In 2024, Kevin launched Kevin Kelly LUXE, a luxury hair extension line, and founded Kevin Kelly Vision, a charitable initiative supporting various community causes. You can find him on instagram @kevinkelly.hair.

Scott King has always had a passion for hair. He trained at the Graham Webb Academy in Washington, D.C. and soon became a sought-after stylist in DC before moving to Los Angeles in 2012. He has since become most known for enhancing his client’s natural beauty when cutting and styling while adding a creative edge. Scott’s loyal celebrity clientele includes Sabrina Carpenter, Jennifer Coolidge, Bailee Madison, Julia Michaels, Lucy Hale, Lisa Rinna, Jenny McCarthy, Kate Beckinsale, Rita Wilson, Jackie Tohn, and Heather Dubrow. Editorially, his work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Who What Wear, InStyle, Euphoria, Rollacoaster, Schon!, etc. You can find him on instagram @scottkinghair.

Born and raised in California, celebrity hairstylist Florido Basallo, started his creative career as a dancer. Later, he followed his childhood passion and transitioned into a career of hairstyling. His 16 years of experience at Nine Zero One Salon is accompanied by extensive set experience where his work has graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, Rolling Stone, Cosmopolitan, i-D, Wonderland, Von and more. His impressive list of loyal clients include Justin Bieber, Sydney Sweeney, Anitta, and Paris Hilton. Florido is constantly inspired by collaborating with artists and talent; his 21 years of experience is only the beginning. You can find him on instagram @florido.

With an eye for fashion-forward detail like no other, Pete Burkill entered the industry at a young age and has taken the industry by storm with his unique vision and eclectic style. Pete is the go-to stylist for stars such as The Beckhams, Katy Perry, The Kardashians, Millie Bobbie Brown, and more. In addition to his celebrity clientele, Pete leads his own hair team at London Fashion Week and has been featured in Marie Claire, Elle, Dazed, and more. Pete’s reputation has catapulted him onto the tip of the tongues of those in the know and those who want to know. You can find him on instagram @peteburkill.

Jake Gallagher is a British hairstylist based in Los Angeles, renowned for his work in fashion and celebrity hairstyling. He began his career in London, honing his craft on runways and editorial shoots before establishing himself on the global stage. Gallagher has worked with industry icons like Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, and Chloë Sevigny, styling major campaigns for luxury fashion houses such as Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Dsquared2. Known for a punk approach to hair, he continues making his mark in the industry. You can find him on instagram @jakegallagherhair.

Jay B. is a renowned global hairstylist with over 15 years of experience shaping the hair and beauty trends of the fashion world. Jay’s artistry and expertise has earned him an impressive roster of high-profile celebrity clients, including Khloé Kardashian, Sofia Richie, Shay Mitchell, Eva Longoria, Maya Jama, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Rochelle Humes, and Madeline Argy. Jay is especially celebrated for his expertise with textured hair, wigs, and extensions, bringing a refined, personalized approach to every client’s look. Jay harnessed his extensive industry knowledge to create his eponymous haircare brand with modern, performance-driven formulas that empower people to achieve salon-quality results.You can find him on instagram @jay.bhair.

Born and raised in Colombia, expert hairstylist Jhonatan Rendon was influenced by a rich culture from a young age. Jhonatan mastered his craft and propelled his career in the hair industry, becoming recognized by various revered professionals. Editorially, Jhonatan has a portfolio that is ever-expanding. His looks can be seen in magazines such as Vogue Italy, Elle Mexico, Maxim Columbia, Esquire Latin America, Glamour Bulgaria, Marie Claire Indonesia, Elle Vietnam, and more. He has also worked on various runway shows including those for Rebecca Minkoff, Alice and Olivia, Helmut Lang, and many more. Jhonatan resides in New York, NY. You can find him on instagram @_jhonatan_rendon.

Tai Simon is a licensed hairstylist originally from Baltimore/Chicago now living in Los Angeles with over 10 years of experience. She has dedicated herself to providing excellent hair care for natural, relaxed, lace and extensions lovers all over. Tai’s impressive roster of clientele includes the likes of Zendaya, Cardi B, Beyonce, Coi Leray, Nicki Minaj, Megan Thee Stallion, Dominique Jackson, Leiomy, Ari Fletcher, B. Simone, Dababy, Rico Nasty, Kyla Pratt, K. Michelle, Azealia Banks, Chance the Rapper, Law Roach, Jordin Sparks, Shensea, Dreezy, and Muni Long. Tai is also the founder and CEO of her haircare brand, Love Taije. You can find her on instagram @lovetaije.

Master wigmaker and hair stylist Frederic Aspiras has earned his reputation as one of the leading artists in the industry and is best known for being Lady Gaga’s go-to hair stylist. Frederic has worked exclusively with Gaga since November 2009, creating some of today’s most memorable hair looks for numerous performances, red-carpet looks, and editorials. Frederic’s work has been featured in several major publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Allure, L’uomo Vogue, Billboard, and Parade. In 2022 Frederic’s work was recognized by the Academy Awards for his contribution to the film House of Gucci. You can find him on instagram @fredericaspiras.

HAIR AWARDS JUDGES