FEATURE

By Misty Browning  

Beauty and hair styling came naturally to Weatherford College cosmetology student Sydney Smith.  

As the youngest of five sisters, she watched all the beauty trends her older siblings tried throughout her childhood. In a large family, being the first in the bathroom is the key to being on time, but Sydney loved every minute of watching and learning from her older sisters.  

“I couldn’t imagine growing up with brothers; having four sisters was the best thing God could have done for us five,” she explained. “We all get along so well and know that we will have best friends for life. As the youngest sister, I’ve had the chance to watch my sisters through growth, failures and love. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I truly am so blessed.”  

As the girls grew up and became adults, the older sisters took their love of beauty and makeovers and made a successful career in cosmetology. Sister Kasi owns a custom lipstick lab called Haute Habits Beauty Bar on Magnolia in Fort Worth. The oldest of the Smith sisters, Britany, became a certified cosmetologist and opened House of Blonde, also in Fort Worth. The salon became a family affair, with sisters Kortney and Kelsey coming on after school; Kelsey is a WC cosmetology graduate. A combination of the sisters’ involvement in cosmetology and Kelsey’s success at WC encouraged Sydney to follow in their footsteps. As soon as she was able, she enrolled in WC’s program.  

“I went to Weatherford College cosmetology because my sister, who is a year older than me, went there the previous year and loved it and the instructors,” Sydney said. “I thought by going there, I would be as successful as her. Weatherford College is a friendly environment in all aspects.”  

Valerie Hopkins, cosmetology program director, speaks highly of Sydney and her work, calling her one of the most hard-working students. She’s excited to see what her future holds.  

“One of my favorite quotes that fits Sydney is, ‘A True stylist works for it, walks it, wears it and lives it,” she gushed.  

With Sydney scheduled to graduate in May, she has joined her sisters as a blonde specialist at House of Blonde. It’s the perfect conclusion to years of hard work and studying, with the bonus of working with some of her favorite people.  

“Working with my sisters is a blast! Being with them every day and working in an environment with all women is just a blessing,” Sydney said. “I wake up excited to go to work every day. Our guests say the whole salon feels like a family because it mostly is and because the other stylists are pretty much sisters, too.”  

Many people believe getting one’s hair done isn’t all that important. The beauty standard is no longer just about looks but how they live their lives, the difference they make, the compassion they show and the love they extend.  

No matter what, everyone can make a difference because we all have gifts and talents that will make this world a little bit better. For Sydney and her sisters, their gifts are helping their clients feel more confident when they leave their salon.  

Helping a client achieve confidence can be a life-changing event, and Sydney loves this aspect of being a hairstylist.  

“I love helping women become more confident and feel more beautiful,” she said. “I think it’s so important to make women feel more beautiful. We have guests come in with hair they don’t like daily, and they walk out feeling ten times better than when they came in.”  

For now, Sydney’s future is painted blonde. She will continue to work with her sisters until life takes her down a different path.  

“In the future, I hope to be as successful as my two older sisters,” she said. “They have a full clientele and have schedules set to their lifestyle. Starting as a fresh stylist, you must take every client because we have to build your clientele. As stylists who have been doing hair for over nine years, you can choose your clients. That’s my goal.”