Cosmetology Student Success Story: Niyar Mammadova

About Niyar Mammadova

Niyar Mammadova has spent her career making sure people feel heard.

Niyar and her 4 daughters

As a multilingual interpreter, she sat with people during some of the most important moments of their lives, bridging languages so nothing essential got lost. She speaks five: Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkish, Georgian, and English. Each one is a door she can open for someone who might otherwise feel unseen. That instinct to connect, to truly understand the person in front of her, is the same thing that drew her to cosmetology.

Niyar came to beauty school with more experience than most. She had already earned her nail license in Georgia Republic. When she arrived in the United States, she was unable to practice nails here. Rather than see that as a setback, she saw it as an opening. “I have always loved the creativity of beauty and the way a new hairstyle can help someone feel confident,” she says. The beauty industry had been calling out to Niyar, and EBC was ready to welcome her with open arms.

Through all of it, she has been raising four children. Four kids, a nail license from another country, five languages, a career as an interpreter, and now cosmetology school. “I want a career where I can work with people, express my creativity, and make a positive difference in how they feel about themselves,” she says. Niyar works hard every single day, and it shows in everything she creates.

The Evergreen Experience

Niyar came to EBC’s North Seattle campus knowing exactly what she was looking for: hands-on training, real clients, and instructors she could genuinely learn from. “I have the opportunity to learn from instructors, work with clients, and grow more confident with each new experience,” she says. With hard work and dedication, Niyar found her joy early on.

Niyar in a hair extension course

Hair color and styling are where Niyar comes alive, especially soft, dimensional blonde looks and polished styles for weddings and special occasions. “Every client has a different vision,” she says, “and I love finding a way to create a look that feels right for them.” Niyar takes her time with every client, listening closely to what they need and enjoying the process of finding the look that feels just right for them.

Working with real clients has been the most valuable part of her training. Each appointment teaches her something new. “It has taught me to listen carefully, plan each service, and keep learning as I work,” she says. Every client who sits in her chair can expect to feel comfortable, heard, and taken care of from start to finish.

At the end of August, Niyar took it upon herself to attend a Bellami Hair Pro masterclass on hair extensions and walked away certified in Weft Extensions, Tape-In Extensions, K-Tip Extensions, and L-Tip Extensions. Outside of school, on her own time as a mother of four, she is still finding ways to grow. That says everything about who she is.

Outside the classroom, Niyar goes above and beyond to win awards and give back to the community. She joined the Back to School Event as a hairstylist, bringing her skills to give free haircuts to kids within the community. As a full-time student and mother of four, she also earned the 100% Attendance Award, the Digital Marketing Award, the Successful Start Award, and the Culture Award. “As a student and mother of four, these awards mean a great deal to me,” she says. “They reflect the dedication and positive energy I bring to school each day.” Earning four awards while raising four children and showing up every single day is no small thing, and Niyar makes it look easy by being exactly who she is: determined.

The Next Step

After graduation, Niyar plans to step into a salon and keep building. Her sights are set on hair color, blonding, extensions, and styling for weddings and special occasions. She knows what she loves and she is building toward it with intention.

The long-term dream is a salon of her own. Not just any salon, but a welcoming space where every client walks in and feels like they belong. “A welcoming place where clients feel confident and beautiful,” she says. Niyar brings patience, attention to detail, and a genuine care for the person sitting in front of her. We know Niyar will bring that to her future salon.

Her advice to anyone thinking about enrolling: “If you love beauty, give yourself the chance to pursue it. Be ready to practice, ask questions, and learn from every experience. Seeing your skills grow makes the hard work worthwhile.”

Niyar Mammadova is expected to graduate from EBC’s North Seattle campus in April 2027. We cannot wait to see the salon she builds. Follow Niyar’s journey on Instagram at @niyar_mammadova.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the beauty industry, check out our Cosmetology program or Schedule a Virtual Tour at one of our campuses: Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, North Seattle, Renton, Olympia, and Yakima.