Heidi Downum-Fisher – Master New Orleans Hair Stylist
Whether they’re waxing off a downy mustache or listening to clients’ most scandalous secrets, this master New Orleans hair stylist has seen and heard it all. It’s pretty tough to faze this group! But even master hair colorist Heidi Downum-Fisher was a little bit taken aback by one client’s request: a “go-cup” of hair color.
“I don’t want my boyfriend to know I’m not a natural redhead,” the client confessed. “Will you make me a matching small batch and I’ll apply it at home?” (It wasn’t for the roots Heidi had just retouched, either).
Heidi today. | Photo by Paige Felder Henderson. Source: Heidi Downum-Fisher
An ’80s Kid
It’s all in a day’s work for Heidi Downum-Fisher. She has always marched to the beat of her own drum—but you don’t need to look at her platinum-blonde pixie cut and bold red lipstick to know that. Instead, you could examine the fearless trajectory of her career. It started when she graduated from high school, and she didn’t wait long to start living her dreams. Two weeks later, she enrolled in cosmetology school.
“I’ve known [I would be a stylist] since I was a young girl,” Heidi says. “When I was 16, I was 100 percent sure. I remember my high school teachers being disappointed in my decision…until they became my clients and watched my career blossom!”
Here’s Heidi and her now-husband Steven at a high school dance in 1985. How great is their 80s hair?!
Source: Heidi Downum-Fisher
An Educator is Born
Not to toot our own horn, but we like to think our relationship with Heidi has been good for her business and ours. It all started back in 1989, when Heidi first started working for an Aveda salon in our network (we’re also an Aveda distributor). In 1997, she received an invitation that would change her life—and ours.
“As Aveda was launching its hair color line, Debra and Edwin II invited me to Minneapolis to audition to become a member of the inaugural Aveda hair color educators,” says Heidi, a Syracuse native. “I was honored and terrified all at the same time.”
Heidi in Minneapolis in 1997 for her AVEDA audition. | Source: Heidi Downum-Fisher
Heidi nailed her audition (no shocker there) and became an Aveda Color Educator. That same year, Heidi’s talents as a colorist drew national attention. Self Magazine recognized her as one of the Best Colorists in the South, Haircolor USA invited her to present in Washington DC, and Gambit Weekly recognized her as a “40 under 40” at age 28.
Imagine our excitement when in 2000, she applied for the role of Salon Director/Color Director at our very first New Orleans Paris Parker.
“When I was five months pregnant with my first child, the Neills hired me, and my journey here began,” Heidi says.
During Heidi’s 17 years with us, she has held many different roles and excelled at each one. She has managed salons, taught and mentored new artists, worked as a service team leader and served as director of staff development of all locations.
“Paris Parker has given me endless opportunities,” Heidi says. “Not just as a hairdresser, but in the areas of personal growth and development.”
Heidi’s Guidance and Gratitude as a Master New Orleans Hair Stylist
Heidi says one of her most rewarding experiences has been watching novice stylists grow in their careers under her guidance.
“My first intern is now in her 26th year in the business and a successful salon owner,” Heidi says. “I have been blessed to be a mentor—watching them have a career that they are passionate about and are successful as they make a great living doing what they love.”
Heidi counts her family among her blessings, too. Married to her high school sweetheart, she has two sons and many nieces and nephews. She loves that her career as a New Orleans Hair Stylist nurtures both her creative drive and her family.
“I do not get up a day in my life and think I am going to work,” says Heidi. “I wouldn’t trade anything the last 17 years has brought me. I am proud of my accomplishments and even more proud to live, love and work beside the Neill/Paris Parker family. For all of that I am deeply grateful.”
The original Prytania team in 2000, can you spot them? Heidi, center row, sporting her signature platinum blonde / red lip, Garrett Lemmons (center front), Chris Guidry (farthest male on the left), and Stacie Spiers (back row, curls). | Source: Heidi Downum-Fisher. Follow Heidi on Linkedin.
