About The Author

Xstal Yumi is a licensed cosmetologist and children’s author known for blending her passion for storytelling with the art of cosmetology. Xstal was raised in Detroit, a city proudly known as the hair capital of the world. A place where beauty shops were cultural landmarks, spaces for creativity, conversation, community, and entrepreneurship.

This environment helped shape her early love for hairstyling, but it was her grandmother, a licensed cosmetologist, who truly inspired her journey. At a young age, Xstal began assisting her grandmother, who styled hair from the salon-basement of her home. There, Xstal learned the foundational skills of cosmetology and quickly began styling hair for herself, her family, and neighborhood friends. Her passion continued to grow over the years, leading her to enroll in a cosmetology program offered through her high school. 

After graduating high school, Xstal’s talents led her down a different path, but she eventually returned to pursue her calling, enrolling in cosmetology school and earning her professional license. Throughout her career, Xstal witnessed firsthand the challenges many parents faced when caring for their children’s hair. The need for accessible, foundational knowledge became clear. Knowing that hair care is deeply connected to confidence, identity, hygiene, and self-esteem, she realized it's rarely taught in ways that are engaging or accessible for parents and their children.

Motivated to bridge this gap, Xstal created Cosmo Miko, a brand that combines imagination with education to make learning about hair both magical and meaningful. Through her work, she aims to inspire children and families to embrace literacy, science, and beauty in a way that feels like second nature. As she continues to grow Cosmo Miko into a household name, Xstal remains committed to leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts of her readers and the worlds of beauty and literature.