Spotlight on a FABULOUS Mommy- Celebrity Colorist Tracey Cunningham

For this week's Spotlight on a FABULOUS Mommy, I was lucky to get an interview with the most sought after of celebrity colourists- Tracey Cunningham. She is responsible for the luscious locks of the most famous celebrities that we love to watch on TV and and read about in gossip magazines. Some of them include Emma Roberts, Kate Beckinsale, Gywneth Paltrow, and Sienna Miller. To name a few! 

Tracey is a co-owner of Beverly Hills salon Meche, and together with her partner sees about 200 to 300 clients a week! That doesn't include her house calls which are anything from travelling once a month all the way to Barcelona to give Shakira her covetable highlights or travelling to premiers and award shows around the world to tend to celebrity locks in the bathrooms of their expensive suites. 

A few of Tracey's Clients at recent events this year

Tracey has become one of the world's most sought after celebrity colourists and yet is one of the most bubbly, fun, friendly, and sweet hair dressers I have ever visited. I  absolutely love booking appointments with her at Belle Femme when she visits twice or three times a year. I always leave with Fabulous hair and a huge smile on my face. She has a son who is 23 years old and while he doesn't quite need her as much as a toddler does, she is still a doting mom. How does she do it all???

Tell me about your family?

My immediate family is small, it's my son Max who is 23 and my partner Chris. We have been together for 23 years. I'm lucky - they are great men and I like being a Mom more than anything in the world! My Mom has 12 brothers and sisters, so I have a lot of extended family!! 

How did you manage being a mom with such a demanding career?

I had my son RIGHT BEFORE my career exploded. I've always been a busy professional - but I was lucky to have friends and co workers who understood I was a young woman with a baby and with that I was fortunate. I Always put my son Max first. Of course my partner Chris has been my greatest support!

A few of the celebrities who's hair Tracey has transformed

What is your typical day like?

I'll have your head spinning if I go into detail! ;) I get up at around 6am and I'm on the go till normally 8pm in the salon. Then on some days, I'll do (celebrity) house calls after that. I love it though so when you love your work you really don't care. 

You are always travelling for your clients but do you ever take any vacations for yourself?

I love Mexico!! It is very close to LA, but it feels worlds away. This summer I was in Positano- I loved that. And I love Washington state to visit my family! 

Every time I see you, you are always energetic, in a great mood and are super friendly with your clients. Tips for remaining energetic through long and tiring days?

Well over the years, these clients have become my friends. And I'm a natural people person! I love human contact. I eat very well, love my fresh juices and I like to have fun, so whenever I see another client it's catch up, laughs and it's always something new. 

What do you do for fun?

I LOVE TV and the movies - it's a great escape!! 

Any advice for women who want to be moms as well as have a fabulous career?

If I can do it - YOU can do it!!!!! Just go for it!

Spotlight on a FABULOUS Mommy - Dalia Ali of Dee by Dalia

This week's Spotlight on a Fabulous Mommy is Dalia Ali - the talented designer and brains behind the super cute clothing brand Dee by Dalia. Her signature style is tutu skirts, off the shoulder tops and clothes that make a women embrace her femininity and uniqueness. Clothes that make you stand out from the crowd. Dalia has two sons and manages to be a big part of their lives as well as a fashion designer in her free time. How does she do it all?

Tell me about your family?
My husband and I have been married now for 8 years and we have two adorable boys. Rakan is 6 and Kinan is 5 years old. We both grew up in the UAE and consider Dubai our home.

Tell me about Dee by Dalia?
I started Dee by Dalia around 2 years ago as a small project out of my own home. It has grown since then and I now have my own studio in Dubai Design District D3 . My line is for all edgy and stylish girls out there that like to dress up in a unique way. Dee by Dalia is all about being different whether with weird cut outs or off the shoulder tops. We are stocked in Harvey Nichols and at Sauce Boutiques across the U.A.E 

Being in the fashion world requires always attending events, meeting people and looking your absolute best. How do you manage this with your hectic kid's schedule?

I love spending time with my boys so it is difficult for me to leave them. What I do is pick and choose the events that I can attend. I only go to morning events when my kids are at school or evening events when they are asleep. They are my priority so as long as they need me I don't leave them. My kids are older now so there is a lot of homework and activities everyday but with my husband's help, we are managing. I find it very possible to be a working mum!

Getting dressed every day for social events is not easy and it is honestly not always fun -  but I'm a fashionista at heart so I have to admit I love it most of the time.

What is your typical day like?

I wake up, drop the kids to school, then head to the gym. After that I go to to work which entails choosing fabrics, meeting with buyers or designing for upcoming collections.  My driver or I pick up the kids from school then we all have lunch.  I help my older son with his homework  then take both boys to after school activities. 

We go back home, have dinner with my husband then put the boys to bed. Afterwards, I either sit at home and work or go to social events.

Hardest part of being a mom?

The guilty feeling when you have to miss something important in your child's life or the feeling of not doing enough for them.

Easiest part?

My children's hugs and kisses - their love and reward I feel for being their mom means the world to me.

What do you do in your 'me' time?

I head to my favourite two places in the the world - 'The Nail Spa' for a message and then a hair treatment at 'Marquee Salon'.

Any advice for moms who also want to have a career?

Just do it!! It might never be perfect but you can keep trying to make the best out of it. 

To find out more about Dee by Dalia Click Here

Click Here to read last week's Spotlight on a FABULOUS Mommy -Mira Naaman of Nectar Juice Bar