Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Gifford.
Hi Jackie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Beauty, to me, has never been about appearance alone.
It’s about confidence, safety, and feeling truly seen. That belief is what led me to create Haute Mess Hair—a boutique salon built on empowerment, individuality, and a judgment-free experience.
I’m Jackie Gifford, the owner and founder of Haute Mess Hair. I’ve spent my career blending artistry, education, and science to create a space where clients feel confident and supported, not just polished.
My path to owning a salon wasn’t linear. Before fully stepping into the beauty industry, I earned a degree in clinical laboratory science and worked in healthcare. That experience gave me a deep respect for health, chemistry, and the long-term impact of the products we use every day. It still shapes how I approach hair and scalp care, clean beauty, and client education.
Today, Haute Mess Hair is more than a salon. It’s a community-focused space rooted in authenticity, growth, and resilience. Everything I build is guided by one simple goal: to help people feel strong in who they are, inside and out.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, and I don’t pretend it was. I’ve experienced burnout, major career pivots, and the kind of setbacks that force you to either quit or get radically honest with yourself. I’ve walked away from environments that were successful on paper but unhealthy in reality, and I’ve had to rebuild from the ground up more than once.
Those moments were uncomfortable, but they were necessary. They taught me how to trust my instincts, set firm boundaries, and stop confusing endurance with success. Every challenge clarified what I wouldn’t tolerate anymore—and that clarity is what shaped Haute Mess Hair. I didn’t just want to build a business; I wanted to build something sustainable, ethical, and human. The obstacles didn’t slow me down—they refined me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Haute Mess Hair is a boutique salon created for people who want exceptional hair without judgment or pressure. While we’re known for lived-in color, gray blending, curly hair, and healthy hair practices, what truly sets us apart is how intentionally we approach the work.
My background in clinical laboratory science heavily influences the salon. I bring an understanding of chemistry, long-term health, and product impact into every service, which allows us to prioritize cleaner, plant-based, and chemically reduced options whenever possible. Education is a key part of the experience—clients don’t just leave looking better, they understand their hair better.
What I’m most proud of is the culture. Haute Mess Hair is high-standards without being high-pressure. It’s a space rooted in trust, individuality, and confidence, where people are encouraged to show up as they are and leave feeling stronger than when they walked in.
At its core, the salon is about transformation that goes deeper than appearance. It’s about creating a safe, empowering space where beauty feels personal, intelligent, and unapologetically real.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating spaces where people feel safe enough to be themselves and supported enough to become more.
Beauty has never been about the final reveal. It’s about the experience in the chair. Confidence doesn’t come from being fixed; it comes from being heard, respected, and educated without judgment or pressure. That philosophy shapes everything I do, from the products we choose to the way we communicate with clients and each other.
Integrity sits at the core of my work. I believe in doing things thoughtfully, responsibly, and with long-term health in mind. My background in science taught me to question what’s standard, understand what’s behind it, and make intentional choices — a mindset I carry into every part of the salon.
At the end of the day, impact is what matters. If someone leaves my salon feeling more like themselves than when they arrived, then I’ve done my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hautmesshair.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haute.messhair
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556710694547
