 | | | Caroline Wiseman curling a client at Shelby Sexton's in Lafayette
Photo Sophie Braccini
| | | | | | When you see her, it's easy to believe that Caroline Wiseman was an actress as well as a hairdresser and makeup artist in Hollywood. The pretty mother of two Burton Valley School students comes out very sunny-looking, charming and real. Maybe it is that genuineness that drove her and her family to relocate to a more down to earth location - Lafayette. Here, far from the celebrity hair that earned her an Emmy nomination in 2010, she wants to establish herself as a creative and productive member of the community.
Wiseman started her hairstyling career in Santa Monica. She was raised in New Orleans and knew she wanted to follow an artistic path. She thought of architecture or the graphic arts, but while in Santa Monica City College she heard of a cosmetology school where she could get a hairstylist license. She registered without telling her family. "I had been cutting hair since I was 12 and made some money with it in high school, but I was seeing it more as a hobby than a job," she says. She was lucky after graduation to get an apprenticeship with a talented professional in Beverly Hills; that's where she met and worked with her first celebrity, Kelly Preston.
Her website, CarolineWiseman.net, has pictures of all the celebrities she worked with. The Emmy nomination came from a full year of doing the hair of Leah Remini, co-hostess of The Talk on CBS (also known for her role in The King of Queens). "Every morning she would show up with her hair wet and no make-up," recounts Wiseman, "I challenged myself to do something different for her every day." Wiseman believes that hair is the first element to express a personality, "Hair and make-up can really change the mood of someone," she believes, "but it has to be in accordance with each individual personality and lifestyle." The Emmy nomination validated her work, since it arises from a vote from hairstyling professionals. But Wiseman felt it was time for a change.
"I had many fun and stimulating professional years in Los Angeles," says Wiseman, "but after my daughters were born my perspective changed, I was getting tired of constantly having to reinvent myself, of the harsh competition, the expensive and stressful lifestyle. We were ready to simplify our lives and I want to be more of a mother and a wife."
Wiseman's husband, Michael, is a former Burton Valley student. He became an actor in Hollywood, so it made sense for the couple to live there. "But every time we came to Lafayette to spend time with Michael's family, the children never wanted to leave and asked why we couldn't live here, so we finally decided to take the plunge."
The Wisemans moved to Lafayette a month ago and Caroline rented a station at Shelby Sexton Salon. "I'm starting to build my clientele through word of mouth," she explains, "my family is very loud and talks about me everywhere, and I'm also starting to auction $100 gift certificates at each PTA meeting." Wiseman is discovering what it means to be part of a community and already wants to give back, "I never had a community in Los Angeles, I am so happy to discover that here."
Reach Caroline Wiseman at (818) 442-1843. Shelby Sexton Salon is located at 33 La Fiesta Square in Lafayette (in the corner, between Red Wagon and Teacake Bake Shop.)
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA