Koni Bennett can add another big name to the list of celebrities she’s worked with.
The name is Oprah Winfrey and, suddenly, I can’t breathe.
A past “Hey, Beautiful” podcast guest, Koni is a hairstylist, makeup artist and all-around beauty expert who owns Vanity, A Boutique Salon, in West Scranton. Right now, she’s touring the country and hairstyling on behalf of Unilever brands (of which she is a contracted stylist) on “Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus.” Oprah’s self-care, wellness and empowerment live show will hit 9 cities and features appearances from celebrities including Lady Gaga, Tina Fey, Amy Schumer and Michelle Obama.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Hair connoisseur Koni Bennett, left, with Oprah Winfrey, is touring the country and hairstyling on behalf of Unilever on “Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus.”
Are you freaking out yet?
Koni splits her time between her hometown of Scranton and New York City and remains a star of the beauty world. She’s collaborated with iconic brands such as TRESemmé, styled hair at New York Fashion Week’s salon and has been featured in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and on “Good Morning America.” She’s also worked with celebrities such as Jordyn Woods and Marie Claire digital beauty editor Maya Allen. (The latter is a big deal because beauty editors can have their pick of who glams them up.)
A self-proclaimed small town girl at heart, Koni also opened Vanity her in home region, which is one of the only salons in the area that caters to multi-cultural hair and was named Greater Scranton Martin Luther King Commission’s 2019 Business of the Year. Koni is one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met and never forgets where she comes from.
“The women and girls in my salon in Scranton, Pennsylvania — the conversations I have with them — I’m taking what those women have to say and I’m bringing it to the corporate world and these important projects,” Koni said during our interview in May 2019. “I’m bringing what I hear in Scranton, and those voices are being heard by people who really can make a difference in the beauty world, and in the world in general. I tell everyone about Scranton. It’s my home.”
Read the Life&Times profile on Koni here and check out our podcast interview below!
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT
