'It just blew up': Winnipeg hairstylist's growing social media following nabs influencer award nomination
A Winnipeg hairstylist known for her colourful styles has turned heads on social media, growing her massive online following into international recognition.
Kelly O’Leary, hairstylist and co-owner of The Sapphire Hair Lounge, is nominated for International Hairstylist of the Year at the American Influencer Awards. The awards recognize the contributions of well-known and emerging social media influencers in categories like fitness, beauty and fashion.
O’Leary said she started gaining a large following on Instagram about six years ago. She specializes in and teaches creative colour – a vivid and eye-catching style of hair dye that pulls hues from across the rainbow.
O'Leary specializes in and teaches creative colour – a vivid and eye-catching style of hair dye that pulls hues from across the rainbow. (Source: Sapphire Hair Lounge)
“I have these clients that you would think would never come in for something like that and then all of a sudden, they have these pictures and it’s pretty cool. I would say that that’s probably my signature,” she said.
O’Leary has amassed 255,000 followers on Instagram. Her massive platform and colourful signature styles have grown opportunities to teach locally and across the world.
“It just blew up. You get a little addicted to that kind of attention, ‘cause it’s like, ‘Wow, people like this. Imagine that.’ And then you just start doing it more and more and learning, and I’ve been really lucky,” she said.
Hairstylist Kelly O'Leary's massive online platform and colourful signature styles have grown opportunities to teach locally and across the world. (Source: Sapphire Hair Lounge)
O’Leary is up against four other international hairstylists in her category. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Nov. 3 in Los Angeles. She hopes to attend, but knows the pandemic could stand in her way.
“If somehow I can get over there, that would be great,” she said.
Kelly O’Leary, hairstylist and co-owner of The Sapphire Hair Lounge, is nominated for International Hairstylist of the Year at the American Influencer Awards. (Source: Sapphire Hair Lounge)
Voting for the awards is open to the public. You can vote for O’Leary’s category and a number of others on the American Influencer Awards website.
In the meantime, O’Leary is enjoying the nomination.
“The Internet’s a crazy place,” she said. “Who would have thought – rainbow hair?”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.