Interviews

The Interview —

Sarah Potempa, Inventor of The Beachwaver

Inventor of The Beachwaver

Sarah Potempa is an innovative hairstylist whose technical versatility and singular creative talent have made her in high demand worldwide. Blessed with artistic vision and an uplifting, easy-going personality, Sarah approaches her work with a refreshing sense of originality. She impresses her clientele with a strong work ethic and an ability to collaborate with others to achieve a common vision. Sarah Potempa graduated from the Aveda Institute with a license in cosmetology and later studied business and creativity at NYU. For the last fifteen years, she has styled hair for the covers of magazines, movie premieres, ad campaigns, celebrities, and even styled the President. With a vision to help teach all women how to style their hair like a celebrity, Sarah created her own line of tools that are innovative and easy to use. Shop The Beachwaver's line of products here and follow Sarah on Instagram at @thebeachwaver and @sarahpotempa.

January 30, 2017

FacebookPinterest logoTwitter logoEmail icon

Interviews and Articles make it easy to learn more about the products that top our lists, what’s currently trending, and the leaders who inspire us. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.

R&S

What do you love most about your work:

Sarah

I love collaborating with a team to make a creative vision come to life, from clothing stylists and makeup artists, to my celebrity clients, to my Beachwaver Co. family! Hair is an art medium that you can use to create so many different styles, from basket weaving braids to old Hollywood waves.  It has been so fulfilling to see the feedback since inventing the Beachwaver and how it has impacted the lives of so many women, from my celebrity clients to working moms and their daughters!

R&S

One piece of advice you would give your 18­-year­-old self:

Sarah

When I was 18 years old, I was studying abroad in London and traveling around Europe. I would tell myself to start an app where you can post all your photos and share them with your friends, then call it Instagram! 

View Sarah's Essentials

R&S

Your most recent culinary discovery and obsession:

Sarah

For the last couple of months I’ve been eating really healthy—mainly fruits, vegetables and protein! I recently discovered the brand Brad’s Raw Foods and I’m obsessed. I love to snack on their Crunchy Kale Chips with vegan cheese. The combination satisfies the craving for actual potato chips and is so much healthier!

R&S

Your motto in life:

Sarah

My motto in life is, “Leap and the net will appear.” When I invented the Beachwaver I took a huge risk, but as a celebrity hairstylist I saw the need for a tool that real women could use at home to get gorgeous waves. I sketched out the idea for the Beachwaver, a curling iron that you hold upright and simple press a button to curl for you! From that point forward, my dreams of teaching every woman how to do her hair became a reality and I never looked back!

R&S

On Sunday, we’ll find you wearing:

Sarah

On Sundays I’ll be lounging in Vans sweatpants, cozy socks my sister got in Australia, my Beachwaver Co. hoodie and second day beachwaves! 

Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint:

Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint:

Buy Now

R&S

You decompress each day by:

Sarah

One of my favorite ways to decompress is with Green tea, a piece of dark chocolate, listening to the Avett Brothers on our record player and sitting by the fire! 

R&S

The skill or sport you’re dying to learn:

Sarah

If there’s any skill I would love to master, it’s guitar. I took classical guitar lessons in college and I have a super cool guitar, but I’m not ready to have a jam session. It’s a work in progress! 

R&S

Your longest lasting friendship:

Sarah

My longest lasting friendship is with Pat, my husband. We have been together for 12 years! He’s super supportive, helps take care of our kids and always makes me laugh. He is also a great travel companion! Last year we went to Japan together while I was on a press tour with a celebrity client and it was such a great experience.

R&S

If you weren’t a celebrity hair stylist, you’d be a:

Sarah

If I weren’t a celebrity hairstylist, I would be a musician. I’m not a good singer but I’ve always dreamed of being a rock star! 

R&S

Your whole day was just cancelled and your schedule is wide open, what do you do:

Sarah

If my schedule was wide open, I would take a hot yoga class, get a green juice and spend the day playing with my kids and our Alaskan Malamute puppy! 

View All Top 10 Lists
Arrow white

The Latest

Model and Founder/CEO of Bumpsuit, Erth Jewelry, and Erth Swim

interviews

Nicole Trunfio

Model and Founder/CEO of Bumpsuit, Erth Jewelry, and Erth Swim

View All Interviews
arrow

From Our Partners

Image credits: janeiredale

Jane Iredale

Jane Iredale celebrates 30th Anniversary with Ready to Bloom 30th Anniversary Collection

Shop Now

Arrow white

Straight-to-the-point emails to make finding what you love even easier.