About the Stylist
   - Patricia Davis
     First Impression's lead stylist boasts an extensive history of top notch quality and personalized care. With over 25 years in the beauty industry, Patricia Davis has expertly satisfied hundreds of customers, effectively making First Impression Hair Designs one of the longest standing business in downtown Oakland.
A Story About Myself

    Let me tell you a story about myself... Picture a scabby-kneed schoolgirl whirling through her playtime in hometown San Bernardino -- from tetherball to jump rope, from hopscotch to baseball with her brothers. After school. In the summer. That was me. And somewhere in between all that, this child was disappearing for curious little stretches, often to be found by her sisters in front of a mirror rearranging her hair, several times a day. I'd switch from one ponytail to two, then back to one atop my head. I'd put in a part, or take it out. I'd brush in some bangs, and then maybe sweep my hair across my forehead and back over an ear. Hey, it was style then! And it's back now!

   My brothers didn't notice, but my older sisters would tease: "There she goes again! How many times a day are you going to change your hair?" My mother didn't tease, for she was highly pleased when I learned to press and curl my own hair at age 12. One less job for her, one wonderful joy for me.

   Since then, hairstyling has continued being a lifelong joy. I went right from high school in San Jose, Ca., into a cosmetology program, finished that and was soon at one of the most prominent African-American salons in my new home, Oakland, Ca. It was a struggle at first, getting a career off the ground, working strictly on commission.

   One of the main things I learned was the value of consistency - showing up for work every morning at 10, and staying all the way through for at least eight hours, whether I had any appointments or not. I figured that my job - my career - was something to take seriously, so I committed myself to a strong work ethic. I built my clientele one walk-in customer at a time, and five years after obtaining my license, I opened my own shop in downtown Oakland.

   I have thrived ever since, embracing the challenge of keeping ahead of an ever-changing profession, expanding my repertoire with new techniques in color, braiding, extensions, chemical processes, and more. There are always new classes to take, new products to learn about. For me, hairstyling never gets old.



- Pat Davis

Professional Highlights include:

 

  • Numerous hair show awards from competitions in Atlanta, Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and Chicago.

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  • Certification in Susan Lipson's On-Set Hair Productions, Santa Monica, Ca., 2002.

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  • Styling for the Actors and Others for Animals Charity Fashion Show, Burbank, Ca., 2002.

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  • Work showcased on BET, MSNBC, and the front cover of Oakland Magazine and by the Carol H. Williams Advertising agency, 2004-2005.

     

  • Certified representative of Cinderella Hair Extensions products.

     

  • Certified volunteer for "Look Good, Feel Better" a national collaboration of the American Cancer Society, the National Cosmetology Association and the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, dedicated to helping women cancer patients maintain their physical beauty, self-esteem and overall well-being.
    • Personal Highlights:

     

  • Watching happy, satisfied wedding parties rushing off for ceremonies.

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  • Getting a hugs from teenagers who thought they weren't pretty enough to go to the prom.

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  • Receiving heartfelt thanks from cancer patients after addressing their special hair care needs.

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  • Seeing the smiles on the faces and happiness in the eyes of hundreds of clients who've left my shop with spirits upraised.
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    Copyright 2008 First Impression Hair Designs
    All rights reserved.