Justin Hickox

Professional Background and Early Career

Justin Hickox has established himself as a prominent figure in the hair styling industry, bringing nearly three decades of professional experience to his role as both a traditional salon owner and digital content creator. Born on January 19, 1977, Hickox was destined for a career in hair styling, having grown up immersed in the salon environment through his parents' business ^[1]. His parents, John and Sharon Hickox, have been stylists and salon owners for over 40 years, frequently appearing as guest experts on television shows and being featured in top trade magazines such as Salon Today and Modern Salon ^[2].

From the age of 13, Hickox worked at his parents' salon, describing his early exposure to the industry by saying he couldn't remember a day when he wasn't at the salon working or observing ^[3]. After completing his education, he returned to Portland, Oregon, to begin a year-long apprentice program at his parents' salon, eventually progressing to work as a stylist while taking classes to learn advanced techniques for teaching future apprentices ^[3].

Salon Ownership and Business Ventures

Hickox opened his own salon, Hickox Studio, in 2000, located at 621 SW Morrison Street in Portland's historic American Bank Building ^[4] ^[5]. The salon operates on an appointment-only basis, aiming for minimal wait times and accepting all major credit cards ^[6]. Throughout his career, he has worked on hair for television, photo shoots, fashion shows, and celebrities ^[3].

In addition to his salon services, Hickox developed his own product line, using his Portland salon as a testing ground for new products. He maintains high standards for his product development, stating that products are tested for two to three years in the salon before being made available online, and that products never make it to market if superior alternatives exist ^[3]. The product line includes items such as Phat Hair styling mousse, Saturate Shampoo, and Quick Fix hairspray, which have gained recognition among clients ^[7].

YouTube Success and Digital Presence

Hickox joined YouTube in November 2007, marking the beginning of his digital content creation journey ^[8]. His YouTube channel, operating under the handle @justinhickox, has grown to attract 581,000 subscribers and has accumulated over 66 million total video views as of June 2025 ^[9]. The channel focuses on hair tips, tricks, and industry secrets, with Hickox describing his passion as helping women love their hair and feel their best at any age ^[9].

Analytics data shows that Hickox's channel maintains strong engagement metrics, with a 4.15% engagement rate that is considered excellent for the platform ^[9]. His channel has experienced steady growth, with a 1.22% increase in subscribers over a recent 30-day period and a 1.87% increase in video views during the same timeframe ^[9]. The channel uploads an average of 0.75 videos per week, with an average video length of 16.57 minutes, which is longer than similar channels in the lifestyle category ^[9].

Content Strategy and Popular Videos

Hickox's content focuses primarily on practical hair advice, with popular videos addressing common hair concerns such as fine and thin hair styling techniques. One of his notable videos, "THIS IS WHY Your FINE/THIN Hair Is FLAT!!!" has garnered 2.2 million views ^[10]. His content often features subscriber makeovers, where he selects viewers to work with, explaining potential hair mistakes and demonstrating better styling approaches ^[11].

The channel covers various topics including hair cutting techniques, styling methods, product recommendations, and addressing common hair myths. Hickox frequently creates content that breaks down industry terminology and explains professional techniques in accessible language for home users ^[12].

Educational Initiatives and Online Courses

Beyond his YouTube content, Hickox has expanded into formal education through online courses. He offers several masterclasses through his educational platform, including the "Hickox Home Hair Masterclass" (priced at $97), "Hickox Home Hair Color Masterclass" ($95), and "Hickox Home Haircut Masterclass" ($95) ^[13]. These courses are designed to teach people how to cut and color their hair at home, leveraging his decades of salon experience and insider knowledge ^[13].

Business Partnership and Media Group

Hickox works closely with his wife, Dionna Hickox, who serves as a co-founder of Hickox Media Group ^[14]. Dionna specializes in content creation, user-generated content (UGC), and consulting on YouTube and Instagram platforms ^[14]. The couple has collaborated on various content projects, including vlogs and beauty-focused videos that combine Justin's hair expertise with Dionna's makeup and lifestyle content ^[15] ^[16].

Their business model includes brand partnerships and sponsorship opportunities, with business inquiries directed to dionna@hickoxmediagroup.com ^[17]. The couple has worked with various brands in the beauty and lifestyle space, creating authentic content that aligns with their established expertise ^[14].

Community Engagement and Client Relationships

Hickox maintains strong relationships with his audience through multiple platforms and community initiatives. He has established a Facebook community for hair-related discussions and maintains active Instagram and YouTube presences ^[17]. His approach to client relationships extends beyond traditional salon services, as evidenced by positive reviews from long-term clients who have been with him for over a decade ^[7].

The content creator also engages in charitable work and community service, following in his father's footsteps of giving back to the community. He has participated in makeovers for military families and worked with children's hospitals, finding personal fulfillment in these community-focused activities ^[18].