ASSOCIATE EDITORDuring this season of New York Fashion Week we saw a lot of great hair, but as usual are left wondering if this season’s hair trends can translate into real life. It’s quite difficult to make a gorgeous model look bad, but us mere mortals are a little more apprehensive about altering our precious locks. In fear of looking ridiculous or frying our hair, we often pass on experimenting with new looks . Colorist to the stars and owner of Studio B salon, Beth Minardi, makes a living by giving her clients runway-worthy hair every day. Beth was kind enough to offer some tips on how to make the hottest hair trends from NYFW S/S 16 work for you, without torturing your tresses.
Interview: T.Cooper
How long have you been in the beauty industry, and what sparked your interest?
I’ve been doing hair for almost 28 years; I began because as a child I was always fascinated with images and makeovers. As a little girl I would look at makeovers in magazines, and say “wow, they made that woman look so pretty”. After college, I was in a film, and became more intrigued by the hair and makeup than the acting. I really enjoyed watching the transformations take place while I was waiting to be made up. From that moment, I knew that I wanted to be part of this field, I just love it!
Who are some of your most notable clients?
Oh God, there are so many. I would say Tom Hanks, Julianne Moore, Renee Russo, Christie Brinkley, Uma Thurman, Faye Dunaway, Evan Rachel Wood, Brad Pitt, Willem Dafoe, Hope Davis, Michelle Williams – there’s a bunch of them.
Do you specialize in cut or color?
I’m a hair colorist, I do everything involved with hair color, and of course I make recommendations to my clients. When you change the hair color of course you have to change the makeup too, I’m the color lady. At my salon I have a wonderful staff working with me cut that hair. I also have four incredible colorists who have been working for me an excess of 20 years, they are really amazing at what they do.
How do you think hair relates to fashion?
Hair compliments fashion, hair is the accessory. Hair is like the scarf, or the handbag, or the gloves, or the shoes. It compliments a woman, and has to work with the sensibility and the tone of the fashion.
Do you ever style hair for Fashion Week?
My salon has absolutely done hair for Fashion Week. Since shows are mostly styling and I’m a colorist, I send my Studio B gang. I used to do shows years ago for exposure; I now have the exposure, so I leave the styling to my “fashion dragon”, Stephen Wang. I do a lot of color for the models beforehand; several agencies send their models to me for color change and correction.
Kate Spade Cindy Ord/Getty Images
What were some of your favorite NYFW hair looks on the runway this season?
Kate Spade’s hair team did very well, they did really soft believable hair; it was very feminine with a little bit of structure. Ralph Lauren, of course, was classically beautiful. Even when the hair was swept back, it really accented the shape of the head and the shape of the neckline in the garment. Calvin Klein did some very geometric looks, the hair was as strong as the lines of his clothing are, and it combined structure with femininity.
Where there any hair looks you saw this season, that didn’t work for you?
I’m getting tired of messy ponytails, I’m just tired of it. Everybody goes “let’s just do the messy ponytail”, and I’m always saying “why?” Look, it was cute for a while, but let’s move on. And I think the ombre thing that’s been going on for a couple of years has to end now, we need to move past ombre already.
How can the average woman incorporate hair trends from NYFW into their everyday hair routine?
They can incorporate it [the trends] by having hair that’s clean, and hair that is well cut. Having hair that is not super static (helmet-like), I think hair that doesn’t move is really outdated; even women who want a more structured look, need to allow more movement in the hair. I think even if a woman decided to go silver with the color, it should be professionally done. I always say that silver is a decision and gray is surrender [laughs]! Complimenting hair color with makeup, and working that with the line of a haircut, can really help a woman look fashionable. Some people get crazy and obsessed about looking like a certain model or celebrity, but if that look doesn’t work for them, then it doesn’t work for them. What looks good on Heidi Klum or Kim Kardashian isn’t necessarily going to work for them. Look at a trend, refine it, and then decide how much of it can work for you.
Often times, women will think that they have to sacrifice healthy hair in order to follow the hottest new beauty trends. Is there any truth to that?
There was 15 years ago, now there isn’t. In fact with my hair color line, Beth Minardi Signature, we were able to use Japanese ingenuity to spin two conditioners into the hair color; so every time you color, it improves the condition of your hair. There are also some wonderful new serums for the hair too, I think it’s a fabulous time for hair care! The innovations for shampoos and better conditioners are amazing, and we’re really able to make a nice difference now.
Is there any other advice that you can offer our readers about how to wear NYFW hair trends?
I think that it’s a really good time to invest in yourself. You should start experimenting and seeking out to be your best self; whether it’s a new version of your hair color, or a better way to wear your hair. Remember that the length of your neck, the shape of your jaw, and the shape of your forehead can either be enhanced or completely ruined by the wrong hair. We sometimes forget that hair is the accessory that we don’t take off, it’s the hat that stays on our head. I think that the right use of color, cut, and texture have really come of age, so the sky is the limit. Women can really make their hair look its best, and have fun with fashion. Adapt it to yourself, individuality is so important, now women can embrace that without fear.
To find out more about Beth Minardi visit www.minardicolor.com