Cliff Vmir is a name synonymous with innovation and influence in the beauty industry. From crafting iconic looks for celebrities like Cardi B to building a thriving haircare brand, FEMMÉ, Vmir has established himself as a trailblazer. This article explores Vmir's journey, his insights on hair care, and his entrepreneurial wisdom.
From Celebrity Stylist to Haircare Mogul
Vmir's career trajectory is a testament to his vision and hard work. Starting as a hairstylist, he quickly gained recognition for his talent and creativity, working with top names in entertainment like Cardi B, Jazmine Sullivan, and Sexyy Red. His ability to create unique and trendsetting styles propelled him to the forefront of the industry.
Recognizing the needs of his extensive clientele, Vmir expanded his brand with FEMMÉ, a haircare line focused on promoting hair growth and nourishment. This venture marked a significant step in his career, solidifying his position as a leading figure in the beauty world.
Building a Hair Empire
Vmir's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a 3,000 sq. foot warehouse, salon, and storefront to house his FEMMÉ brand. This expansion reflects his commitment to creating a comprehensive space for haircare and styling.
“I’m very hard on myself and have been since I was around sixteen years old. It’s a good thing and it’s a bad thing. I am excited and happy because I’m twenty-eight, and before anything, I’m Black and this is Black excellence,” Vmir said. “I really started taking my hair care brand super seriously, about 10 months ago. This is the fourth and biggest warehouse that we moved up to, thanks to the help of my realtor, Justin Smith. In my opinion, I won’t feel like we’ve made it until I reach Walmart status because I feel like I'm only 10% of where I want to be.”
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Vmir envisions the space as a hub for stylists and clients alike. “It’s going to be a store in the very front, a salon in the middle, and then in the back, there’s a double door that goes into the warehouse. I don’t mind helping stylists, and I want a lot of phenomenal stylists there. I wanted a primarily male-based salon because I feel that males bring a different energy,” Vmir said. The salon is undergoing an interior makeover done by iElevated Images, featuring nice epoxy floors from DSD Paintings, with a significant amount of money being invested in it. FEMMÈ is his first baby, but this is his first baby that he has to really take care of.
Vmir's Insights on Hair and Wigs
Vmir shares his expertise on hair care, particularly when it comes to wigs. He emphasizes the importance of quality and careful maintenance to prolong the life of hair extensions.
When purchasing a wig, according to Vmir, quality is paramount. "When purchasing a wig, you should make sure that the lace is pretty thin and the color of the lace matches your skin and [that] it's a swift lace," Cliff told us. "You also want to make sure that you are getting a nice quality wig. Quality over quantity is a life mantra that goes double with wigs. "There [are] so many different types of hair you can use for a wig and that (quality) is something you want to pay attention to when purchasing a wig. You don't want to get a wig that you spend a lot of money on or feel is a lot of money but it's not great quality. You just want to keep your eyes open and do your research, especially from the company you're purchasing your wig from."
He advises to consider the type of hair used. "[With] synthetic hair, you can't curl it, you can't straighten it, you could probably color it but it just doesn't give you that flexibility or that movement that human hair does," he explained. He also recommends proper care techniques, such as gentle shampooing and drying. "Make sure that you're very gentle when it comes to shampooing the wig. Make sure you use a mild shampoo and conditioner as well as putting the wig [under] the dryer. That's a lot better and makes the hair feel a lot softer, opposed to blow drying it or air drying it. In order to preserve your wigs you must store them properly."
Proper storage is also essential. "You can get a dome head, the styrofoam heads, or you can even put your wigs in a silk bag. If you are sleeping in the wig, just make sure that it's a silk bonnet or silk scarf."
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Vmir himself prefers Mink Brazilian hair from his company, [Hym Hair], noting its longevity and quality. "I wear my Mink Brazilian hair. That's the only hair I really wear out of my company [Hym Hair]. It's very expensive but it lasts a super long time. You can wear it for a year straight and it'll still look like you just got it. That's the only hair I wear. I've tried Indian hair, nothing really wrong with it, it's just the Mink Brazilian hair is less maintenance."
Entrepreneurial Philosophy
Vmir's approach to business is rooted in a strong work ethic and a commitment to his team. He recognizes the responsibility that comes with ownership and the importance of supporting those who depend on him.
“Ownership for me is a whole other ballgame. As a hairstylist, you may wake up feeling unwell and need to cancel appointments. When you own a business, however, people are depending on you. There are people who work for me who can’t pay their bills or provide for their families without that job. Anytime you own something, you're always the root of everything, so I can't really take days off. I could take a sick day, but I still need to ensure things are moving forward. Every day when I open my eyes, it's all about FEMMÈ and how I can advance my career. I feel that if I were to stop working today or tomorrow, many people who depend on me would struggle to provide for their families. I'm not doing it because of that, but I love to be able to put people in a position. When you own something and it's yours and no one can take it away from you, it's a really powerful feeling, especially when you're building it from the ground up.”
Vmir emphasizes the importance of leadership and a refusal to accept limitations. "I feel like I've always been a natural leader. I'm young and I've always known what I wanted. I worked for myself since I was fifteen, so I'm very seasoned. I'm twenty-eight now, and I tell everyone who has a business never to take no for an answer because I never do. If I'm expecting a package and they call me and say, ‘Oh, we're going to have a delay,' I'm going to do whatever I can to get my stuff when I need it, so I never accept no. I have always been a natural-born leader, and I'm never going to follow after anyone because how I feel matters the most.”
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