Stylist Life: Say Hey to Shay – Stylist Spotlight


The stylist and content creator, Natasha Laurent Johnson (@shayhairmuseum), also known as Shay Slay, has been a licensed cosmetologist for 23 years and an instructor for 15. 


A smiling woman in a white jacket

Her experience in the industry helped her launch education and products, while her natural acting chops and sense of humor help her create content that is engaging and relatable…and hilarious.

Natasha Laurent Johnson (@shayhairmuseum)


Based in Charlotte, NC, Natasha Laurent Johnson has run two successful salons, been a platform educator, an award-winning artist, and the designer of her own wig line featuring the clip-on SidePiece Wig. A dog-lover, she has also introduced wigs for dogs and her own fur babies appear in some of her videos.

Her take on salon work, hairstyling, parenting (she is a wife and mom to four), and life are relatable, hilarious, and often moving. Laurent Johnson has launched Shay Slay Academy (shayslayacademy.com), an online series of courses teaching the art of designing and styling one-of-a-kind hair toppers. 

She says her love for making women beautiful and building up their confidence is a God given ministry.  

Say “hey” to Shay. 

Why “Shay Hair Museum”? I wanted to create a page of all my art. I display my hair styles, my comedy, and all forms of creativity in my museum. It’s my talent collection.

My guilty pleasures: It’s taking on hairstyles that I’ve never done before, looking at a picture, and trying to make it better.

My favorite hair product I can’t live without: My favorite is ShaySlay wax. It’s the only edge control that lays the hair smooth.

If I hadn’t become a hairdresser I would have been: If I wasn’t doing hair I’d be singing with a band and traveling the world as a performer.

Every beauty professional should: Every beauty professional should have great insurance and a set retirement plan. Plan your exit properly.

Most people would be surprised to learn: They would be surprised to know how scared I am to post. My anxiety goes through the roof, but I post anyway.

Person whose hair I would love to cut/style/color and why: I would love to style Mary J. Blige. Her style matches what I do daily, and I know I’d rock out.

The best advice I ever received: My best advice given was “Nothing beats a fail but a try.” You never know the outcome until you try.

Favorite editing tools for my content: I love to use the Videoshop app to edit my videos. It’s easy to grasp for older, not tech savvy people.

Favorite social app: My favorite social app is Instagram. I connect with genuine people who find value in what I share. 

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