THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND:

Name: Alejandro Rey Bonilla

Any nicknames you go by?

Ale or Hair Ninja

What are your favorite things to do outside of the salon?

Cinema, photography, model hunt, travel, people watch, dining, kick it with the family, workout, & watch Tosh.0

What's your favorite food that you thought you would NEVER try?

Eel & rabbit sausage.

What's on your playlist?

Yelawolf, Girl talk, Portugal the man

Any body piercings or tattoos?

Used to have my nipples, belly button & eyebrow pierced, ink-free zone.

If you could have any superpower what would it be & why?

Teleportation because I hate traffic & planes.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Astronaut or a Ninja Turtle

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

Fort Worth & it was amazing. Little Ale had the best childhood & was groomed to be a successful leader & entrepreneur by his parents. Thanks, guys!

What are some of the crazy fads you and your friends went through?

Jnco's when we all Broke Dance, channel 45 local cable dance show, & Lowriders of course.

What things do you find yourself doing that you said you'd never do?

Flying on planes & taking days off work.

Tell me a time in your life that was a time you'll never forget.

Mowing yards as a kid. I would spend hours alone thinking of ways to make more money & it was so therapeutic. 

The Dallas night scene in my early 20's as a club promoter & the ideas it spawned for business. 

What is something you're really proud of and why?

When my parents say they are proud of me. "When I grow up I'm going to be just like Alejandro" - Chris Bonilla (father)

What are some goals you're still trying to accomplish?

Inspire the world through my craft, education, cinema, & photography (capturing souls one at a time)

What are you scared of?

Drowning & having my phone die.

Ever been in love?

One too many times but it feels great to feel. Maybe little ninja soon! 

BEHIND THE CHAIR

How long have you been in the Hair industry & how did you get started?

23 years & I had a neighbor kid ask me to fade him up. I did a good job & craved more. I haven't gone more than one week without doing hair since I was 13 years old.

What Sebastian product can you NOT live without?

Whipped crème is to die for! I use it on everyone & myself when I want to show off my mane.

Favorite client quote?

“You go tell Ale that he used to cut my hair in his garage!”- Patrick Ramos

What is your favorite service to do on a client?

Full makeover. I like it when someone trusts me so much to make them look good & feel good.

Why do you love your career?

Making clients cry. The feeling you changed someone's life with self-esteem & beauty so much that they cry tears of joy! So rewarding.

Any Fashion pet peeves?

Ladies, hide your damn bobby pins & at least use the right color for your hair.

What smell reminds you of hair school?

Rotten eggs & smoke. (Perms & lil old ladies who only shampooed their hair weekly)

Tell us about your first haircut.

My first clipper cut was at the tender age of 13, it went well. My first woman's haircut was at the age of 15. The consultation went like this: “How many layers do you want? 2 or 3? LOL!

Training & Certifications:

Ogle school of cosmetology Alumni, Video education for the state, Employer of the year, Advisory board

Toni & Guy classic, advanced, DFW educator for 3 years, advisory board DFW

Additional advisory boards: Duvall's, Paul Mitchell, ITS Academy, Avenue 5, Rusk shows, classes, & host for 5 years

Wella color, wet line, & world studio training with essentials in NYC

Sebastian color, wet line, & National Design team

Nioxin wet line & scalp expert

Delilah Damage free extension expert (Cold Fusion & Tape methods)

Creator of Next Level Stylist video training, producer, director, director of photography, & talent

Co-Creator of Next Level Photo editorial workshops

Esoterica Studios Cinema Producer, director, & director of photography, premiere editor

Esoterica Studios Model Agency casting director

Esoterica Studios Photographer, design, photoshop editor

Four Day Weekend Improv Level 5 graduate, Hollywood Improv workshop, Dallas Comedy House Improv free play

MEDIA

As seen on TV: Ogle Commercials, Texas Women season 1 & 2, Operation Rock the Troops TV episode 1, WFAA Ch8 Family     1st, CBS Ch11 Fashion forecast, InStyle magazine Sebastian spread, Blackbook magazine. 

NYFW: Charlotte Ronson, Christian Siriano

Awards:

Sebastian Whats Next Awards Finalist (twice)

Ogle employer of the year

Ogle Alumni of the year

Voted by your mom best hairdresser ever.

JUST BECAUSE

Dr. Pepper or Coke?

No sugar for me

PC or MAC?

MAC for all my design work, PC for business

Beards or Mustaches?

Full man face, exquisite mustache, and beard!

Right Twix or Left Twix?

I always eat the right one first as I am right handed

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate dipped everything, please!

MEGAN arrington 

Level Four Master Stylist

Salon Coordinator & Educator

BEHIND THE CHAIR

Any fashion pet peeves?

Socks with sandals!!!! bleh :/

What smell reminds you of Hair School?

Perms

Who is your industry mentor?

Any bad "A"  professional that I can learn from

Shine Crafter for style and shine. Dry Clean Only because who doesn't love a dry shampoo?!?! Drench shampoo & conditioner for my thirsty HAIR.

Favorite service to do to a client?

Anything really!

BEHIND THE STYLIST

Any nicknames you go by?

ROCKSTAR,  X-TREME, Megtastic, Meggers

What are you scared of?

FAILING! Which is NOT an option.

Ever been in love?

Sure HAVE

What's your favorite food you thought you would never try?

Calamari

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Where did you grow up and what was it like?

North Richland Hills "THA HILLS", and it was for the most part awesome. It's close to everything (shopping, food, fun) and I was in the middle of Ft. Worth and Dallas.

What are some of the crazy fads you and your friends went through?

JNCO pants, OMG they are AWFUL, but had a cool acronym "Judge None, Choose One."

Cara Chambers – Level Two Stylist

BEHIND THE CHAIR

Any fashion pet peeves ?

I just can't get behind black and brown together. 

What smell reminds you of Hair School?

Perms and old ladies. 

Who is your industry mentor?

Ale, of course. 

Favorite quote from a client?

"You made me feel beautiful."

Best perk about your Career?

I enjoy being able to be creative. It doesn't get repetitive or boring. 

Can't live without which Sebastian product & why?

Trilliant! I am a fan of bleach on my hair so I need all the protection I can get! 

Favorite service to do to a client?

Balyages. 

BEHIND THE STYLIST

Any nicknames you go by?
Cara Bear 

What are you scared of?
I'm not super into clowns. 

Ever been in love?

Once upon a time. 

What's your favorite things to do when not styling hair?

Cooking and I love shopping for records and antiques. 
 

What's your favorite food you thought you would never try?
Mushrooms. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A dolphin trainer. 

What super power do you wish you had?
Teleportation so I could travel the world.

Where did you grow up and what was it like?
Arlington Texas born and raised. It will always be home. 

What are some of the crazy fads you and your friends went through?

The ONLY makeup I would wear would be black eyeliner... LOTS of it.

Is there anything in particular that you wish you could do over?

I have regrets for sure but I wouldn't be where I am now without those experiences.
 

What things do you find yourself doing that you said you'd never do?
Online dating. Ha!

Tell me a time in your life that was a time you'll never forget?

I was able to spend two weeks at an orphanage in Haiti which was the most amazing and heartbreaking experience of my life. 
 

What is something your really proud of and why?

I learned to make pasta from scratch. I LOVE pasta so this was a very big deal for me!
 

What are some goals you’re still trying to accomplish?

Purchase a home, become an educator, be a professional actress, be in a comfortable place in life.

JUST BECAUSE

Dr. Pepper or Coke?

I am soda and coffee free! I do love me some kombucha though!

Mac or PC?

Mac

Sunblock or Tan?

SPF 100! Pale and proud!

Facial hair or clean shaven?

I like hairy guys.

Heels or flats?

Flats.

Any tattoos or piercings?

I have 11 tattoos and 5 piercings

Six Flags or Hurricane Harbor?

Six Flags.

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Nekesa Mohler level 4 Master Stylist

7+ years with Esoterica

MCE (Master color expert with Wella)

NYC global studio trained

Next Level Stylist educator & platform artists

Boot camp approved with the Hair Ninja

Toni & Guy Academy Alumni

click pic to Facebook Stalk