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Meet Vieve Axtell of HairZombie in Central/Downtown Phoenix

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Vieve Axtell.

Vieve, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born an artist. Everyone in my family is an artist; I come from a long line of artists; it was just natural to me. I completed high school early, and perused a Fine Arts degree, in college when I was 16. Even before that, as a child, I attended classes at IAIA, the Native Arts college, with my mom in Santa Fe, NM.

Doing hair was just something I did for my self. I always had a lavish taste and thin pockets, so learning how to do things myself was just necessary. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I decided I should consider doing hair professionally. I had been working for other people since I was 13, and decided I really just wanted to work for myself and have total freedom. In 2008 I established HairZombie. I’ve used it as my business name ever since.

I had a pretty successful run in Albuquerque, NM. I had an amazing mentor, who I worked alongside for the first few years of my career. I still hear her in my mind, reminding me to get the hair color rinsed off my client’s neck. She is in my hands, in the way I cut hair, in the manner that I treat curls. After a time, my gypsy heart led me to my next adventure, when was given the opportunity to help a woman who had inspired me, to open her first salon. It was a lot of fun to watch a dream come to fruition.

After that, I landed in Phoenix in 2013. Getting started in Phoenix wasn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be. It was a much bigger town, and the Downtown area hadn’t really grown up yet. I kind of miss those days. The community in Phoenix is so strong; I was really met with open arms by almost everyone I encountered, professionally or otherwise. With that love, I’ve been able to create a really good home in Arizona. I’ve been really lucky to work at the top salons in the Downtown/Central Phoenix area, including my current home Salon D’Shayn.

My newest adventure is becoming an educator for a color brand that I love. The company is passionate about Sustainable beauty concerning the earth and the people on it. I’m eager to see where this leads me.

Has it been a smooth road?
I think only well-traveled roads are smooth. I’m a gypsy by blood and by heart, and we like to explore. I’ve always been a bit of a lone wolf. I have a loving family that’s emotionally supportive. But I don’t think anything can prepare you for throwing your life in the dumpster and lighting it on fire.

I left a really successful career in New Mexico, to chase my heart to Arizona. And let me tell you, it wasn’t love at first sight. It took me nearly six months to find a good salon to start to build a whole new clientele. I honestly had never had to apply for a job as a Stylist before. It was extremely humbling, extremely.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with HairZombie – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I borrowed the title “Vanity Specialist” from a woman I went to school with. I loved the idea of self-love and self-worth, embracing your own vanity. To specialize in the improvement of those two things has been most gratifying for me.

I like to keep my hands in everything, there is little I don’t do when it comes to hair. I’m in love with natural curls, I really think they are misunderstood most of the time. I do a lot of Fantasy colors. I think that is what I’m most known for. I don’t document my work as much as I should. I think I get really caught up in the work I’m doing, that I forget to take photos.

I feel like I spend a lot of time on my craft, and that has improved my skills. Before I started my journey to becoming an educator, I was always seeking out the newest hair techniques. The training I’ve received this past year from Davines has opened a whole new world to me, continuing to develop my confidence, by teaching me new skills.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My childhood was just a blur of stray animals and people. I’ve been bringing home strays since I was walking.

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