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Cataanda believes in universal beauty. Her concept of beauty is healthy and innovative and radiates from the inside out. In our multicultural and evolving world her easy charm and her high level of technical expertise allows her to bring out the inner and outer beauty of everyone who crosses her path.
With experience spanning over thirty years, Cataanda James has been a pioneer and influencer in the beauty industry. She began attending Cosmetology school while in high school in vocational studies. When it came to practical, hands-on skill, she found herself teaching the instructors and her peer’s application and advanced styling techniques. Cataanda’s natural talent exceeded the standard. Her ambition to strengthen and advance her technique ushered her to the discovery of Dudley Cosmetology University. Without hesitation, she enrolled, completed her hours, and graduated top of class amongst some of today’s top beauty professionals.
Starting her work as a Licensed Cosmetologist and behind the chair stylist, she has evolved throughout every avenue of the beauty industry. You might be familiar with her work at L’Oréal USA as a beauty consultant for the Consumer Products Division: L’Oréal Paris, Garnier, Carol’s Daughter, Dark & Lovely and Soft Sheen Carson and professional brand: L’Oréal Professionnel. Later Cataanda was promoted to Senior Technician of Training and Education at the L’Oreal New York Technical Center. This role involved product testing for both the general market and multicultural brands, earning her industry respect as a Hair Color and Curl Expert. She has also contributed as a brand educator for The Mane Choice, as a member of Luster’s Style Team, and as a Makeup Artist for MAC Cosmetics and Dior Cosmetics. She has handled consulting projects for a variety of consumer and high-profile events across various brands within L’Oreal USA, most recently leading US new formula product testing for L’Oréal Professionnel’s hair color system, INOA, which launched in 2023.
Cataanda has used her experience to develop a specific and highly effective methodology that separates her from others in her industry. She conducts all of her work with the overriding mission of authenticity. Her brand promotes embracing individuality, and her artistic style reflects unique individual beauty. All of her work has an emphasis on magnifying beauty enhancements that highlight the best in one’s natural features. By focusing on her client’s most favorable qualities she encourages her clients to radiate their inner beauty. By showing up to work as her most sincere self, she influences those surrounding her to do the same.
For Cataanda, creating a comfortable environment for whomever she is working with is always a top priority that includes clients, coworkers, and consumers. Building a strong relationship with the client allows them to relax and become vulnerable with her. In addition to her warming presence which gives them confidence in her judgment, she understands that establishing a secure space allows others to trust her to be artistically free. Beauty environments can be bustling and lively, so her ability to remain and radiate calmness within a busy space is what has led to her position as a top competitor in her field. This balanced workplace culture is what led to her network expansion. Her commitment to being a team player and a flexible, cooperative person is her “special sauce” that rises to the top.
In an industry with endless potential for new skills, Cataanda is constantly expanding hers. In her journey to becoming a Color Expert, Cataanda had to expand her comfort zone by diversifying her talents. Hair coloring, a service that once presented a challenge, has become one of her most acclaimed abilities. Perfecting hair color requires more precise technical solutions whereas other services allow for more spontaneous creative expression. This gave her an opportunity to learn from other peer experts, something only a truly secure team player can do. This speaks to her humility and true willingness to constantly evolve through her work. Becoming an acclaimed Dark & Lovely Hair Color Expert for this revered brand of hair color in her cultural community has been one of her proudest accomplishments in her career.
A desire to move forward has led to the launch of CJ The Beauty Group. Synthesizing her communications aptitude with each experience has brought her to her latest consulting ventures. From an expert point of view with efficacious innovation and consumer centricity at the core, CJ The Beauty Group is where Cataanda has formed a home that encompasses every skill she accomplished throughout her journey. It is the platform that will allow her to introduce and practice her philosophy of universal beauty. Through her passion for multicultural and universal beauty, Cataanda continues to influence and impact the industry. With a wide array of past experiences in her arsenal to reference, Cataanda moves forward well equipped to take on her most resolute enterprise yet.
