The Hair Whisperer! Meet Ultimate Stylist Competition Winner Christina DeMag

Article sponsored by Ultimate Stylist

The Second Annual Ultimate Stylist Competition brought together thousands of artists who showed off their insane amount of talent in hair and makeup design. With determination, drive, and a heck of a lot of fans, these four ladies persevered to the final round, proving they have what it takes to make it big in the beauty industry!

One stylist took the crown and is now the reigning 2022 Ultimate Stylist—introducing Christina DeMag!

Meet the Ultimate Stylist: Christina DeMag

Christina DeMag is a confident salon owner with a true passion for making people feel beautiful. This positive energy shines through in every area of her life.

Let’s start at the beginning, where she got an early jumpstart to her wildly successful career. “For my 13th birthday, I had a makeup make-over party. I loved the transformation we all experienced, and that’s what sparked my interest in the beauty industry. Being as young as I was helped me build a plan to start cosmetology school in high school so I could begin my career as soon as I turned 18,” said DeMag.

Since, DeMag has experienced prestigious positioning that stylists strive for their entire lives. “I have done a lot of fun things in my career like… hair on stage in Hollywood and Toronto, New York Fashion Week, and traveling across North America to teach in salons. But my most memorable moment in the industry so far has been post-pandemic becoming a thriving salon owner and wedding hair specialist, persevering through a long stretch of unknown, and now having the confidence of what success feels like. I love love being able to create formal hairstyling, and being a part of someone’s wedding day is truly special.”

Today, you can find DeMag in Burlington, Vermont, at her aptly-named business, Jubilance Salon. “When opening Jubilance, my mission was to give Vermont’s salon industry a taste of high-end quality and luxury. Our focus behind the chair is to give our guests a unique salon experience and have them feel ‘expensive’ and ‘jubilant’ leaving their appointment,” she states on her website jubilancesalon.com.

DeMag’s experience and self-confidence led her to sign up for the Ultimate Stylist Competition, and when she did, she knew she could win.

“Finding out I won the Competition was pure confirmation of everything I worked hard for to get to the finish line. Before I even submitted my application, I gave myself a moment to really embrace what it would feel like to win. I was overcome with enthusiasm before it even started. And winning confirmed my purpose in spreading that inspiration within the industry, which was overwhelmingly exciting.”

DeMag attributes her success to the many role models she’s had throughout her career. “Each time I elevate into a new phase, I find new inspiration. When I first became a hair stylist, I was inspired by Horst Rechelbacher because of his rituals and lifestyle within his Aveda brand. Through the years, I have been inspired by others for the technical aspect of what I do. Right now, my biggest role model is Pure Energy Apothecary founder Dawn Lancaster. As a seasoned entrepreneur, she has extensive experience in growing a brand on a national level. She sets an example as a professional dedicated to ‘business for good’ and how to serve others at the same ti me by lift ing each other up. We, as stylists, have so much control over people’s confidence levels, and we don’t even realize it. We have that power and should be using it in a positive way.”

DeMag is a ‘world changer’ or ‘peace maker’ in every aspect of her blessed life. “I am a mother to the most amazing teenage daughter. I enjoy reading non-fiction books and spending time by the lake. I am a natural encourager and have always had a passion for helping people find their best selves, not just in the hair industry but also in support of pursuing their dreams.”

Next up, Christina DeMag has her sights set on getting a NAHA award and opening a traveling wedding glam squad boutique, where wedding parties can either go and enjoy glam ti me at the boutique or reserve the team to travel onsite. You can follow her journey on Instagram @4the_loveofhair_tina and visit Jubilancesalon.com.

Born This Way Foundation

Ultimate Stylist is proud to support the Born This Way Foundation, cofounded and led by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, by donating a portion of the net proceeds from the competition to the organization. BTW Foundation supports the mental health of young people and works with them to create a kinder and braver world. Through high-impact programs, youth-led conversations, and strategic, cross-sectoral partnerships, the Foundation aims to make kindness cool, validate the emotions of young people, and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. Learn more at bornthisway.foundation.

The Runners Up

Edith Bonilla Chavez

Chavez is a makeup artist with an artistic and extravagant style. “It has to be extra,” she said of her unique approach to design. Born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and raised in Queen Creek, Arizona, Chavez has been featured in the NYX Cosmetic online gallery and plans to share her skills in a big way on YouTube. Keep an eye out for this beauty rocking her extreme looks.

• Signature: Cut crease
• Training: Online Makeup Academy
• Proudest Moment: NYX feature and getting 2nd place in the Ultimate Stylist Competition
• Role Models: Vanessa Arredondo, Ytzel Lara, and other online makeup artists
• Favorite Quote: “Dreams don’t come true; dreams get made true.”
• Self-Care: “Treat yourself the way you want to be treated,” and maintain a healthy lifestyle with good sleep, exercise, water, and healthy eating
• Goals: Start a YouTube channel
• Hobbies/Interests: Makeup—”It’s another world for me.”
• Fave Beauty Trend: Brazilian makeup looks
• Find her here: Facebook/TikTok: Edithb_Makeup

April Stone

Stone is an artist who owns A Stone Cold Look Salon in her hometown of Savannah, GA. Specializing in unique hairstyles, braiding designs, and extensions, Stone’s claim to fame is her signature ‘Graduation Ponytail.’ She loves to make her clients feel like celebrities and is invested in helping little girls who want to pursue hair fashion.

• Signature: Hair fantasy
• Training: Savannah Technical College
• Proudest Moment: Being featured four times on Instagram @theshaderoom
• Role Model: Her husband (Stewart Stone) for supporting her in everything she does, and her mom (Gail Porter) because she learned everything from her
• Self-Care: Pray, sit and meditate, and take walks to figure out her next moves
• Goals: To help young girls who love doing hair keep their passion and never give up on their dreams
• Hobbies/Interests: Traveling and leaving her signature on people’s heads across the world
• Fave Beauty Trend: Protective styling and protective braids
• Find her here: Pinterest, Instagram: @hairby_stone / Facebook, YouTube: A Stone Cold Look

Alexis Cosme

Cosme is a makeup artist from Hatillo, Puerto Rico, who lives to inspire others to believe in themselves. One of her proudest moments is how far she got in the Ultimate Stylist Competition. “Anything is possible if you work hard at it every day,” she said after stepping out of her comfort zone. “I can move my mountains if I work hard to achieve what I want.”

• Signature: Sunset halo look
• Training: Self-taught
• Role Model: Mario Dedivanovic
• Favorite Quote: “Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out.”
• Self-Care: Taking mental breaks for at least a day just to clear her mind so she can start fresh
• Goals: Start her own business
• Hobbies/Interests: Recreating makeup looks, drawing, and painting cartoon characters
• Fave Beauty Trend: Brushed-up feathered brows (brow lamination)
• Find her here: Facebook: Alexis Cosme-Serrano / Instagram: makeup_addict_lex / TikTok: makeup_creations_by_lex