Shari Harbinger, Director of Education
Chemical expert, Curl advocate, Color Director and the Director of Curl Education for DevaConcepts and Devachan salons, Shari Harbinger has gained industry recognition as a premier color expert. Quite a career, since she didn’t even have a hairdresser’s license when she landed her first job as a sales consultant for Clairol in 1987. A native New Yorker, she began her career at the age of 23, which lead to a successful teaching career. Harbinger is heralded as a “scientist of color” with a background rich in diversity.
It was at Clairol that Harbinger got her first taste of teaching, quickly realizing she preferred instructing color rather than selling it. Soon she went from behind the scenes in sales to behind an actual chair, leaving Clairol to work at various Manhattan salons for the next few years. Throughout this period, Harbinger continued to educate, this time as a spokesperson for Schwarzkopf. It was during one of these sessions that she met her business partners Denis daSilva and Lorraine Massey, who invited her to come on board as color director at the new salon they were opening. The salon became quite successful , specifically, addressing the needs of the curly client. At Devachan, they were teaching clients make peace with their curls and literally set them free. A few years later.with a following of tens of thousands of enthusiastic clients as curly-girl devotees, the trio developed a complete collection of products for the curly lifestyle. This botanically drenched, 100% sulfate free alternative with it’s interchangeable product line allows for individuality, simplicity, and the freedom to address the hair’s specific needs. In addition, the pairing eventually led to the revolutionary, award winning highlighting technique that partner daSilva had been developing called PINTURA, which means masterpiece in Portugese. Harbinger then took the tool and the technique and developed a training format that won her Best Educational Award at the 1998 Midwest beauty show in Chicago, an honor that was very special to Harbinger.
Harbinger’s desire to educate and inspire others has been a running thread throughout her career. She trains and inspires both new and seasoned hairdressers. Her combined talent, passion and commitment to the industry have enabled her to successfully facilitate educational programs such as Curlaboration for hairdressers, distributors and trade shows nationwide. This educational program, which began in New York, is in such demand that Shari and the Curlaboration team have taken the training program on the road sharing their cutting and coloring philosophies with salons nationwide.
Shari’s work has appeared in national, international, professional publications and television. She is listed as ‘one of the most prominent colorists of our time”- Haircolor & Design 2001.