ABERDEEN. Far from the fashion capitals of London or Paris, a stylist in the northeastern corner of Scotland institutes a paramount creative reinvention upon the industry. He just seems to be ignoring all rules, and no antibiotic works for his rebellious spirit. Justin Mackland, age 34, works as a freelancer based out of Vanity Studio. He has reached a level where he mixes the artisanal approach with digital dexterity and sheer courage, worthy of commanding attention in an era hungry for authentic voices.
A Late Start, Yet More Passion
Unlike many, whose careers start at the tender ages of 14 and 15, Mackland found his calling later, at 25. Earlier he had been attracted toward fashion and the theater; he started a retail career but was promoted at the early age of 19 to departmental supervisor, an experience which gave him great customer-focus and leadership confidence.
“But at 25,” he says in an interview with Hairdressers Journal International, “hairdressing fell into my lap, and I said, all right, that will do.” Mature tracings to apprenticeships were few and far between then, but a prime salon in Aberdeen took the risk with him and changed the whole course of his life.
The Power of Digital Identity
From early on, Mackland knew the power of storytelling. Under @justinmackland, he built an Instagram presence that went beyond glamour shots to depict true irresolution. He did not consider himself an influencer but rather a voice, not an echo, to lead others into pursuing their dreams.
All his efforts online eventually paid off: in 2019, he was named digital ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professionals’ top-level #SKPCollective in the UK and Ireland, where he shared in photo shoots, judged the British Hairdressing Awards, and took his seat for Schwarzkopf at Salon International in London.
Recognition and Community
His rising profile also earned him the title of Society Aberdeen Hair & Beauty Winner 2022, a milestone proudly highlighted on his Lnk.bio page. He’s frequently featured in podcasts and interviews, candidly discussing everything from artistic ambition to the emotional journey of coming out as gay.
Mentor Mentee: Project Scotland 2025
Looking forward, Mackland has been positioned as a 2025 mentee on Project Scotland-a gilded Fellowship Hair initiative designed to nurture Scotland’s premier hair talent in terms of styling, cutting, and coloring. Classroom days, photoshoots, stage appearances at HairCon Manchester, and a showdown at the Projects Grand Finale are on offer. It is made for talent hungry to extend both skill and artistry.
A Vision for Industry Change
What is such a big separation between Mackland and others? A restless, thoughtful drive to evolve industry education itself. In his featured profile for HJ New Wave, he expresses a desire to refresh apprenticeship curriculum in Scotland, using new techniques like lived-in coloring, and arguing that fundamental techniques like the graduated bob must be taught earlier in the apprenticeship.
He also stands for a more connected, united industry: “Lockdown was a big moment… now I’ve got friends for life in all corners of the country,” he says, describing an industry community he finds collaborative rather than toxic or bitchy as he had been told.
Style, Substance, and Self-challenge
Accompanying Mackland are a few design and construction ideas culled from peers: one such premise highlights world-renowned hairdresser Tim Scott Wright, whose works he admires for their immaculate execution and sublime vision. His aspirations are lofty-but-pragmatic: having produced a winning collection for the British Hairdressing Awards, standing side by side with his contemporaries at Salon International, and gaining a British Hairdressing Business Award.
This, however, is more about growth and less about glory. His social-media output is anti-trendy and spotlights transparency, where process, vulnerability, and genuine creative experimentation are juxtaposed.
In his own words, “Coming out and losing my father at a young age were very formative experiences; I think they gave me a lot of resilience as well as the embrace of hairstyling as a much broader medium of expression and healing.”
Looking Ahead: Beyond Stylist to Leader
With Project Scotland being set up and his craft refined, Mackland is filled with ambition and intention. He is not merely following the trends anymore; he is father’s scenes with every snip, post, or inspired comment regarding the future of modern hairdressing in Scotland: an inclusive, creative, and completely human art form.
