Instructor Highlight: Arianna DesJardin

At Collectiv Academy, we take pride in having a team of highly skilled and passionate instructors who inspire the next generation of beauty professionals. Today, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on one of our exceptional educators, Arianna DesJardin. Her journey to becoming a talented stylist and instructor is as unique as her approach to teaching and artistry in the beauty industry.

Arianna brings not only technical expertise but also a deep love for art and self-expression, making her an inspiration to both students and colleagues. Let’s take a closer look at her story, her passions, and how she helps shape the future of beauty professionals at Collectiv Academy.

From Call Centers to Cutting Chairs: Arianna’s Journey to Beauty

Before Arianna became a beauty industry expert, she had a completely different career path. Like many professionals, her journey to finding her true calling wasn’t linear. Prior to enrolling in beauty school, Arianna worked in various call center jobs, with Guitar Center being one of the most notable places where she spent her time.

This background in customer service helped her develop excellent communication skills—something that would prove incredibly useful in her future role behind the chair. As a stylist, understanding clients’ needs and being able to effectively communicate plays a huge role in delivering great results. Arianna’s time in customer-facing roles shaped her ability to engage with clients on a deeper level.

A Creative Soul: Arianna’s Interests Beyond the Chair

When Arianna isn’t teaching or styling, she continues to channel her creativity in a variety of ways. Her interests are diverse, ranging from art and self-expression to physical wellness practices like Bikram yoga. “I love anything with art and self-expression in general,” she says. “I do a lot of Bikram (hot room) yoga. I used to play bass, but now it’s mostly reading and occasionally drawing with pencils.”

Her love for the arts, whether through music or visual expression, informs her work as a stylist. Arianna’s belief that beauty and fashion are intertwined forms of creative expression drives her to push boundaries in her hair designs. This holistic understanding of beauty as art makes her a more thoughtful and conceptual instructor, as she encourages her students to explore their own creativity through the lens of hairstyling.

Graduating in 2018: Finding Her Home at Collectiv Academy

Arianna graduated in 2018, but her relationship with Collectiv Academy began before she became an instructor. While working as a stylist, she sought to deepen her understanding of haircutting techniques and precision. She found herself returning to Collectiv Academy, not as a student, but as someone looking for advanced education.

“I came here when I was working behind the chair for the Advanced Education, Haircamp/Tecnique Focus. I took it twice and was so impressed by the level of knowledge, precision, and how it took my understanding of haircutting to another level,” she shares. Her experience at Collectiv Academy helped her sharpen her technical skills, and she was equally impressed by the academy’s commitment to both technique and creative approaches. It wasn’t long before Arianna felt compelled to give back to the community by joining the team as an instructor.

The Joy of Teaching: Arianna’s Favorite Part of Her Job

For her, teaching is more than passing on technical skills—it’s about engaging with students, sharing knowledge, and growing alongside them.

“I love getting questions from students that I’ve also wondered in the past and had trouble finding someone that could answer them,” she says. “Talking through my thought process with students so we can both come to a better understanding is so rewarding.”

Why Arianna Chose the Beauty Industry

Arianna’s passion for beauty and fashion is evident in her work. “Fashion is so exciting to me in all its forms, designer clothing specifically, and of course hair design is in company with that,” she explains.

Her love for fashion extends beyond trends—she sees it as a powerful medium for self-expression. This passion for beauty as an art form has made her a dedicated stylist and educator, constantly seeking new ways to push creative boundaries and inspire her students to do the same.

The Most Valuable Lesson Learned

Although Arianna didn’t attend Collectiv Academy as a student, the lessons she learned in her early days in beauty school have stayed with her throughout her career. However, she admits that her beauty school education was quite basic compared to the advanced education she later received at Collectiv Academy.

This experience drives her desire to provide her students with the best education possible. She ensures that they not only learn the technical skills but also develop a deeper understanding of how to apply those skills in real-world scenarios.

The Impact of Social Media in the Beauty Industry

As an educator and professional stylist, Arianna recognizes the massive influence social media has on the beauty industry today. “It’s the new ‘word of mouth,’ although classically that is still the best way to draw in clients,” she says.

However, she also notes that many people turn to social media to research stylists before booking an appointment. For beauty professionals, having a strong social media presence is essential. “The more quality and unique work or perspective you put out, the more you are opening up people finding you,” she adds.

Arianna encourages her students to showcase their work on social media, as it can be a powerful tool for building their brand and attracting new clients.

Keys to Success: Learning from the Best

When asked about her key to success after graduation, Arianna emphasizes the importance of surrounding herself with people who inspire her. “I worked around and for people that were much better than myself, made sure I was always inspired to do better by seeing others do amazing work around me,” she explains.

In addition to working alongside top talent, Arianna continued to invest in her education by taking advanced classes. She also found people who inspired her to practice her craft outside of work, helping her hone her personal style and voice as a stylist.

Her advice to students is simple but powerful: “Study the curriculum, practice the ergonomics, practice everything we show you. The more you do, the better you’ll get faster.”

Overcoming Challenges in the Industry

Arianna is no stranger to the challenges that come with working in the beauty industry. “The first year or two were challenging, just trusting that I would get better and faster with practice and start to put all the pieces together,” she recalls.

However, she stuck with it, trusting the process and continuously learning. “Once it starts to come together, it’s a good feeling. But there’s always more to learn. Always,” she says.

This mindset of constant growth is something she instills in her students, reminding them that progress takes time and persistence.

What’s Next for Arianna?

It’s clear that Arianna’s passion for beauty, education, and self-expression will continue to shape her career. Whether it’s teaching students or exploring new creative outlets, Arianna’s journey is far from over.

At Collectiv Academy, we are lucky to have instructors like Arianna, who not only bring technical expertise but also inspire and encourage students to think outside the box. Her dedication to advancing her craft and helping others do the same is what makes her a standout educator in the beauty industry.

To see more of Arianna’s work, be sure to follow her on Instagram at @ariannadesjardin. Stay tuned for more instructor highlights as we continue to showcase the talented individuals that make Collectiv Academy such a special place for beauty education!