Delaney Trosclair - Hair Stylist

Hi, my name is Delaney Trosclair, and I’m 19 years old. The beauty industry has been threaded into my life for as long as I can remember. My mom and grandma are both hairdressers, so I grew up watching transformation happen every day. When I was eight years old, the only thing on my Christmas list was mannequin heads to practice on. I would spend hours styling them—until my patience ran out and I avoided brushing out the knots.

As I got older, I drifted away from cosmetology and focused on sports. I earned a scholarship to play softball in college, and at the time it felt like the right thing to do—at least to prove to myself that I tried. Even through my athletic career, the beauty industry always showed up quietly in the background. I was the girl doing full hair and makeup before a game (even though I’d sweat it all off), and the one who loved expressing herself through fashion any moment I wasn’t wearing a uniform.

When I started college, choosing a major felt overwhelming. I picked Fashion Merchandising simply because it was the only thing I could see myself in. But during that first semester as a student athlete, I began feeling a clear pull from God—like I wasn’t stepping into my full potential, and the beauty world kept calling my name louder and louder.

After a lot of prayer and self-reflection, I made what felt like a huge decision: I left college athletics and came home to pursue cosmetology. The moment I did, it felt like a weight was lifted off my chest. Once I started school at John Jay, everything clicked. It felt like something I was meant for all along.

I always knew I loved making people feel beautiful—but I never expected how fulfilling it would be to see confidence bloom right in my chair. Watching someone look at themselves differently, more proudly, is a reward I get to experience every day. And it’s in those moments that I know I chose the right path.