Entrepreneur | July 3, 2025

Texas-Sized Hair & Heart: Ashley West’s Rise in the Beauty Empire

Entrepreneur | July 3, 2025

By Kate Flemma

From hospitals to her hair tutorials, Ashley West went from a speech language pathologist to a viral internet sensation. Through her large social media following, West has curated a perfect digital space that feels more like being on FaceTime with your best friend than just watching another celebrity. Known for her hair routines, beauty tips, and “Get Ready With Me” videos, this Texas-based mother of two brings relatability and southern charm to people around the world. We chatted with West about how her background in healthcare shaped her online presence, and she also gives us an inside look into her closet and beauty staples.

Texas-Sized Hair and Heart: Ashley West's Rise In The Beauty Empire

HAUTE LIVING: You transitioned from a Speech Language Pathologist to a full-time content creator with 1.4 million followers, known for your viral heatless hair tutorials and soft-glam beauty routines. How did your background in healthcare shape your approach to building an authentic, relatable platform that feels like a conversation with a best friend?

ASHLEY WEST: I have always had a passion for helping people, but more importantly, connecting with people on a personal level. Treating each content piece as a personal relationship with the viewer came fairly easily after working as a speech pathologist. You want your patients to always feel seen and heard – what I hope to achieve with my audience.

HL: Your content seamlessly blends luxury fashion finds with drugstore beauty gems, all while sharing your life as a mom of two. What’s your process for curating haircare and styling routines that resonate with such a wide audience, and how do you balance high-end glamour with everyday accessibility in your “Get Ready With Me” videos?

AW: I always strive to keep the mind of a consumer. I was once the viewer of curated fashion/beauty content and a chronic online shopper (still am), but it was somewhat disheartening when I couldn’t consistently purchase anything that was being presented because they were out of budget at the time. Of course, I want to remain my authentic self- I do use a variety of luxury and more accessible products. I hope to equally feature both ends of the spectrum to provide my audience with well rounded content that isn’t consistently out of reach. And when you can get luxury results and feel for a fraction of the price- who doesn’t love that?

Texas-Sized Hair and Heart: Ashley West's Rise In The Beauty Empire