Jordyn-Alyse Duncan, a hairdresser at Marion Salon in Salt Point, knew she would take up the trade thanks to her grandmother who was always styling her and her siblings’ hair growing up. That inspiration led Duncan to enroll in Dutchess BOCES CTI cosmetology program during the 2017-2018 school year, following in her grandmother’s footsteps who also attended BOCES.
“My grandmother always knew that it was going to be what I would end up doing,” Duncan said. “I was always begging my sisters to let me braid their hair and paint their nails.”
Duncan enjoyed her time at CTI where her teacher Sharon Myers, now CTI’s job placement specialist, prepared her for the working world. In addition to hair techniques, Duncan learned how to provide top-notch customer service and gained hands-on experience at a salon before taking the New York State cosmetology exams.
“It was good to be in that environment and see it firsthand,” Duncan recalled. “I felt confident going into the state tests because of the training that we did at school.”
It was not long after graduating from CTI in 2019 when Duncan started working at Marion Salon following Myers’ recommendation to apply as owner Marion Morris needed hairdressers. Duncan was drawn to Marion because of the tight-knit crew and they, along with loyal clients, have made her stay for nearly six years.
Duncan’s specialties are coloring and foilyage, a type of highlighting that requires less maintenance, but she gets plenty of positive feedback on something that has nothing to do with hair at all.
“I have multiple clients tell me it’s nice that I haven’t forced them to sit there and have a conversation,” Duncan said. “Sometimes they want to come in and chat, but sometimes they want to just sit and relax.”
Duncan’s advice to aspiring hairdressers is to understand that while what they learn in the classroom is important, working in a real salon is a different experience.
“You’re dealing with real people, not everyone’s going to be happy and like what you do, but it’s worth it,” Duncan said.
When Morris first met Duncan she found her to be quiet, but very enthusiastic about hairdressing and she has since grown into an incredible hairdresser whose work is exceptional.
“She just stood out; she’s just friendly, bubbly, has a great smile and is very professional,” Morris said of Duncan. “She is always enthusiastic to learn more … she really is devoted to her career.”
