Nicole McDonald

The Journey

Nicole McDonald brings more than 30 years of experience behind the chair and over 15 years specializing in hair color. Originally from the beautiful islands of Trinidad and Tobago and now proudly based in Brooklyn, Nicole brings warmth, creativity, energy, and deep technical expertise into every client experience.

As a stylist at Adrian Fanus Grooming, also known as AFG Salon, Nicole thrives in the fast-paced and creative environment of the salon. She loves working alongside “the guys,” collaborating on transformations, exchanging ideas, and bringing fresh inspiration to the floor. For Nicole, AFG feels like family.

Nicole specializes in short styles, pixie cuts, natural hair, and custom hair color designed to enhance confidence and individuality. Known for her eye for detail and her ability to create looks that feel both bold and effortless, she is passionate about helping clients feel beautiful, empowered, and seen.

Her approach combines technical mastery with genuine connection. Whether creating dimensional color, refining a short cut, or helping a client discover a new look, Nicole believes every appointment should feel personal, uplifting, and intentional.

Beyond working behind the chair, Nicole is also a passionate hair color educator with more than a decade of experience teaching stylists how to truly understand color—not just apply it. She believes many stylists have been taught formulas without fully understanding the “why” behind them, and her mission is to change that.

Through her classes and education, Nicole helps hairstylists build confidence in color theory, formulation, predictability, and corrective color by breaking complex concepts down into practical, real-world education.

Nicole also works with the Amore Colore Color company, where she continues to inspire and educate fellow beauty professionals. Known for her engaging teaching style and deep understanding of hair color chemistry, she is passionate about helping stylists remove the guesswork from coloring hair and create more intentional, consistent results.

Outside of the salon, Nicole is always searching for her next favorite meal—trying new foods is one of her absolute favorite things to do. She and her husband are also ministers, and her faith remains at the center of her life. Her love for people, encouragement, and service flows into both her personal life and her work behind the chair.

For Nicole, hair is more than beauty. It is confidence, creativity, connection, education, and community.