Justine Marjan Talks Career, Kardashians, and Why Freelancing Isn't for the Faint of Heart

Why You Need to Tune In to This Episode of Hitting Pan

Justine takes us through her journey from salon receptionist to celebrity hairstylist, revealing that sometimes the path to success isn’t a straight line—more like a zigzag of braids, dry cleaning, and Kardashian cameos. And how could we forget to mention she has a three-year-old son? Because balancing a career that involves braiding the stars and being a working mom is next-level.

Hear how Justine became one of the most sought-after stylists in the game, then head to Spotify to watch her full Hitting Pan episode now!

Key Takeaways: Not Your Typical Hair Story

• Persistence Pays Off: Justine’s story is proof that if at first you don’t succeed, drive to L.A. every Monday and ask again. She spent weeks asking for a job at Andy LeCompte Salon, and while she got a ton of no’s, her persistence (and maybe a dash of astrological Sag energy) finally paid off. Jen Atkin and Kristin Ess noticed her grit, and soon enough, Justine was assisting both of them—and her career took off from there.

• Braids and Breakthroughs: Remember when everyone was rocking two Dutch braids? Yep, that was Justine’s work. A last-minute text from Jen Atkin led to a hair-appointment-turned-trend with none other than Kim Kardashian. Soon after, everyone on Instagram—plus every mannequin at Topshop—had the braid treatment.

• The Freelance Hustle Is Real: Being a freelancer might sound glamorous—traveling the world, working with celebs—but it’s also a grind. Justine gets real about the rejection that comes with the job. Spoiler alert: It’s a universal struggle for artists. But Justine learned to stop seeking approval from others (thanks, Hoffman Process!) and found a way to thrive without the need for constant applause.

• The Real Deal on Mom Life: If you think being a hairstylist to the stars is hard, try doing it while raising a toddler. Justine dives into the complexities of motherhood, from the guilt that comes with being a working mom to leaking breast milk on the job (yes, really). Her biggest advice? There's no such thing as balance—just seasons of life. And sometimes, that means letting go of the pressure to have it all figured out.

Links & Products Mentioned

• More Episodes of Hitting Pan

• Justine Marjan’s Instagram

• Justine Marjan’s TikTok

• Highlight Artists

• The Hoffman Process

• Beauty Con Masterclass

• CELSIUS 

• EMI JAY Creaselss Clips

• MASON PEARSON Brushes

• TRESEMMÉ Keratin Smooth Weightless Silky Shine Spray

• FENTY HAIR The Comeback Kid Instant Damage Repair Treatment Bond Builder

Final Thoughts

Whether you're in the beauty biz, navigating the freelance hustle, or just trying to figure out how to make time for yourself, this episode of Hitting Pan with Justine Marjan offers wisdom, humor, and a whole lot of heart. Because if anyone knows how to rock both mom life and celebrity hair life, it's her.

New episodes of Hitting Pan drop every Thursday. Follow Hitting Pan on Spotify to catch the full episodes, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. And don’t forget to follow IPSY on Instagram and TikTok for all the latest Hitting Pan news (plus so much more!).

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