Madison Carter
Ann Arbor
Current Role: Independent Stylist — Blonding & Hair Extension Specialist
Instagram: @the.blonde.muse
From Ann Arbor to National Recognition
Madison Carter always knew she wanted to be somebody in the beauty industry. After graduating from Douglas J Institute in Ann Arbor, she wasted no time launching her career. From commission salons to opening her own salon suite, Madison hustled to grow her expertise in blonding and hair extensions—eventually earning certifications in six methods.
With only a year of experience under her belt, she took the leap to work independently and build her own brand. Through grit and social media savvy, Madison grew a 10K+ following on TikTok and landed her first brand collaboration with ColorWow.
A Leap of Faith and a Career Breakthrough
Trusting her intuition, Madison relocated to Sarasota, Florida to chase bigger opportunities. Within months, she assisted, rebuilt her clientele, and eventually landed a spot at her dream salon—Modish. Just three months after the move, she found herself styling Livvy Dunne for a Sports Illustrated shoot, catapulting her into a new level of visibility.
Now a Go-To Stylist for Celebrities and Brands
Two years later, Madison has built a client list that includes influencers, pro athletes, and celebrities attending events like the Met Gala. Her collaborations span across leading beauty and fashion brands including:
- L’Oréal Pro
- Olaplex
- K18
- Redken
- ColorWow
- Princess Polly
- Prada
With nearly 40,000 followers across platforms, she’s also started offering shadow days and is building her own education platform to teach nationwide.
On Her Douglas J Experience
Madison credits her hands-on experience and early focus on social media at Douglas J Institute for giving her a strong foundation. “Posting on our accounts was part of the curriculum. That made a huge impact.”
Advice to Future Stylists
“There’s no one right way to do hair. Learn the basics, but don’t be afraid to bend the rules and find what works for you. If you love what you do, this industry will reward you every single day.”
