Here to hair and back

Michael Rains has done quite well for himself throughout his career as a hair stylist.

Rains, born and raised in Chaffee, Mo., is the son of Sherrin Rains and the late Dwain Rains. He graduated from Chaffee High School in 1985. He followed in the footsteps of his mother as a hair stylist, and the two even had the same instructor while attending Stage One hair school in Cape Girardeau, although attending years apart.

Rains lives in Orlando, Fla., and leads a busy and exciting life including working as a full-time stylist with a wide clientele base including the comedian Carrot Top Thompson. He is also the stylist for the Orlando Magic Dance team and travels with the team across the country.

Q: Growing up in the small town of Chaffee, how did you end up in Orlando and how did you know you wanted to be a hair stylist?

A: Doing hair is just in my blood. I have been doing it all my life. I graduated from hair school in 1992 and eventually moved to St. Louis, where I did hair for several years. I got to the point where I couldn't go any further with my career, and moved to Orlando for more career opportunities.

Q: You were recently recognized for a charity event that you hosted for raising awareness for breast cancer. What was this and why did you decide to help with the cause?

A: I started helping with breast cancer awareness after my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, and I just want to help in anyway I can. We hosted a three-hour party, The 4th Annual Get Your Pink On, where I put in pink hair extensions and raised $1,000 from gift card raffles and donations that I donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In three hours I had 69 clients in my chair for pink extensions. It was a great party.

Q: You have a pretty impressive resume. What are some other gigs that you have been a part of regarding hair styling?

A: I work with 28 other stylists at Stella Luca in Winter Park, Fla., and we have many celebrity clients. This is my fourth year with the Orlando Magic dance team. I travel with them all over the country. We recently just did a photo shoot with a famous photographer in Biloxi, Miss. I was actually approached about that job because they had seen my talent. I was also the hairstylist for Project Runway fashion designer Casanova, and I was a judge for a beauty pageant at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Q: What is your favorite thing about coming back to Chaffee to visit?

A: Visiting my family. But I just love being back home; it's still home.