This month, we’re thrilled to introduce our newest Role Maudel, Kaynahn Martin — a hairstylist in Fayetteville, AR, whose story and outlook on beauty inspire everyone she meets. Through her personal journey with alopecia, Kaynahn has created a platform that empowers women to embrace their authentic selves and find confidence in exactly who they are.
Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Kaynahn to talk about her story, career, and her inspiring views on beauty.
Kaynahn:
Ironically, I have always loved doing hair. When I was young, I was always braiding and styling my sister’s hair. It came naturally to me. After high school, I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do. I took a leap of faith and decided to go to cosmetology school. I immediately fell in love with being a hairstylist. I’ve been doing hair almost 4 years now, and I am convinced I have the best job. I love being able to connect with clients and build relationships with them. Everyday I get excited about getting to be creative, and having people leave feeling more confident. It is fulfilling to get to encourage people emotionally while also getting to make them feel more physically beautiful. The beauty industry is great but it can be fullof drama and physical comparison. My goal being in this industry is to create a positive environment that causes clients to leave feeling heard, encouraged, and loved.
Kaynahn:
I define beauty as a genuine confidence that comes from within and radiates. When I was young, I thought that beauty was a symmetrical face or the perfect body. When you grow up different than the people around you and maybe not fitting society’s definition of beauty, you start to wonder if you are beautiful.
I wore wigs off and on for a while hoping I would fit in or feel beautiful, but I actually didn’t feel like myself. I felt more like myself without a wig and I think that is beautiful. Beauty is loving who you are including your “flaws” or insecurities. Beauty is taking all your makeup off and feeling content. Beauty is being your authentic self.
Kaynahn:
It is normal to struggle with insecurities in a society that has unrealistic beauty standards. Instead of overthinking what other people will think of you, focus on how you think of yourself and speak to yourself. What lie are you telling yourself internally that is causing that insecurity to become bigger? How can you replace that lie with truth. The truth is you are made in the image of God and He doesn’t make mistakes. Remind yourself of and be grateful for how amazing your body is, and all of the things it does for you instead of picking at every little thing you wish was different. Being confident in your skin is a daily choice.
Kaynahn:
As a hairstylist and especially as someone with alopecia, I know how important hair is to people’s identity. Understanding that on a deeper level, allows me to take my job even more seriously and help my client’s leave feeling more like themselves after a fresh haircut or color.
In life, alopecia has taught me so many lessons that I am extremely grateful for. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from having alopecia, is how important it is to put your identity in something greater than yourself. What you put your identity in completely shapes the person you are and your motives. My identity is in Jesus Christ. That is truly the reason why I can be completely comfortable and confident without hair. When my identity wasn’t rooted in my faith, I really struggled with standing out and not being like everyone else. After I chose to give my life to Christ and put my identity in Him, I realized that being different is a platform to glorify Him. That changed everything and how I live life daily.
Kaynahn:
I hope all women that sit in my chair feel heard and encouraged. Life can be heavy and I work really hard to create a safe space at my salon where my clients can open up about how they’re actually doing. I hope that the women that hear me speak feel encouraged to not let their insecurities define them, but instead to use them as a strength to help others like them.
Kaynahn:
“You can’t control how people treat you, you can only control how you react.”
This piece of advice has helped me realize that peace doesn’t come from changing others but instead focusing on how I react.
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