About Susan
“I approach hairstyling as a form of art, rather than a job. Together we will find the style and look that best describes your inner beauty and display it for the whole world to see.”
Susan Antonishek Benefield has been in the world of high fashion hair styling since age 17. She began her career at Emiles Salon in Beverly Hills, Mich. Always interested in learning the latest techniques, she traveled to Boston and Chicago to John Dellaria’s and learned their cutting technique known as “Parametric.” Susan was then brought to the mecca of high fashion … Beverly Hills, Calif. At the legendary Jon Peters Salon on Rodeo Drive, she worked on television spots and hair for the stars with Allen Edwards.
Expanding her talents
Always looking for more opportunities to grow, Susan then learned about a new company, Carlton Hair International. Carlton was originally created by Gerd Hoher, Michael O’Rouke and Russell Herwitz. They were known at the top of the field as cutting-edge hair professionals, and Susan joined their team. The company grew to more than 35 salons. Besides being well known in the California area for their salons, Gerd Hoher is highly known in the industry as owner and creator of artease®colors, while famous hair artist Michael O’Rouke is known all over the world for his product line “Big Sexy Hair Products.” Susan feels very blessed to have worked as a master stylist alongside both of her mentors, Gerd Hoher, for 10 years, and Michael O’Rouke, for another 10 years. Susan says they were not just amazing artists to work with for more than 20 years of her career, they both were very humble in their trade.
A different kind of art
For more than a decade, Susan has dabbled in the world of photography, noting that the artistic flair required to excel in the hair business aligns neatly with the artistic skills required for photography. While living in Los Angeles, Susan was hired as a professional photographer for many famous artists in the music, film and fashion industry.
Settling into Texas
Since 2007, Susan has resided in Austin. For her first five years in Texas, she continued to travel monthly to Los Angeles to take care of her loyal clients. Then, while building her clientele in the Austin area, she met the man God created for her to marry, and it was time for her to settle her place of business in one location: Lakeway, Texas.
Her education continues
After all these years of working in the industry and working for “The Best,” Susan continues taking advanced classes, participating in hair shows where she sees her friend Michael O’Rouke, and taking color classes with good friend and Mentor Gerd Hoher and wife Lulu. Susan even assists occasionally with the famous hair artist for the stars, Billy Yamaguchi, who flies in from California once a month for a few days at the Spa on Lake Austin. Susan loves what she does and feels fortunate and blessed to continue to have such amazing experiences in the beauty industry.
Stylishly yours,
1970s
1980s
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About Susan
“I approach hairstyling as a form of art, rather than a job. Together we will find the style and look that best describes your inner beauty and display it for the whole world to see.”
Susan Antonishek Benefield has been in the world of high fashion hair styling since age 17. She began her career at Emiles Salon in Beverly Hills, Mich. Always interested in learning the latest techniques, she traveled to Boston and Chicago to John Dellaria’s and learned their cutting technique known as “Parametric.” Susan was then brought to the mecca of high fashion … Beverly Hills, Calif. At the legendary Jon Peters Salon on Rodeo Drive, she worked on television spots and hair for the stars with Allen Edwards.
Expanding her talents
Always looking for more opportunities to grow, Susan then learned about a new company, Carlton Hair International. Carlton was originally created by Gerd Hoher, Michael O’Rouke and Russell Herwitz. They were known at the top of the field as cutting-edge hair professionals, and Susan joined their team. The company grew to more than 35 salons. Besides being well known in the California area for their salons, Gerd Hoher is highly known in the industry as owner and creator of artease®colors, while famous hair artist Michael O’Rouke is known all over the world for his product line “Big Sexy Hair Products.” Susan feels very blessed to have worked as a master stylist alongside both of her mentors, Gerd Hoher, for 10 years, and Michael O’Rouke, for another 10 years. Susan says they were not just amazing artists to work with for more than 20 years of her career, they both were very humble in their trade.
A different kind of art
For more than a decade, Susan has dabbled in the world of photography, noting that the artistic flair required to excel in the hair business aligns neatly with the artistic skills required for photography. While living in Los Angeles, Susan was hired as a professional photographer for many famous artists in the music, film and fashion industry.
Settling into Texas
Since 2007, Susan has resided in Austin. For her first five years in Texas, she continued to travel monthly to Los Angeles to take care of her loyal clients. Then, while building her clientele in the Austin area, she met the man God created for her to marry, and it was time for her to settle her place of business in one location: Lakeway, Texas.
Her education continues
After all these years of working in the industry and working for “The Best,” Susan continues taking advanced classes, participating in hair shows where she sees her friend Michael O’Rouke, and taking color classes with good friend and Mentor Gerd Hoher and wife Lulu. Susan even assists occasionally with the famous hair artist for the stars, Billy Yamaguchi, who flies in from California once a month for a few days at the Spa on Lake Austin. Susan loves what she does and feels fortunate and blessed to continue to have such amazing experiences in the beauty industry.
Stylishly yours,
