THE ELEMENTS: EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER

T H E   E L E M E N T S

For the 2013 "Show Us Your Vivids" Pravana hair color contest, I wanted to come up with a really cool theme/inspiration for the color and styling.  After a lot of sleepless nights and too much thought, I finally came up with "the Elements."  Unfortunately though, I figured it would be hard to find four different models to represent each element, who would each let me go crazy with their hair color.  If I found one model that was open to it, I couldn't exactly change her hair color four times in one day for the photo shoot either.  So I resorted to the most logical answer: extensions!  After a week of buying, coloring, and prepping extension hair, we were ready to shoot with Miss Kelsey! I loved how these photos came out, but ultimately decided that it wasn't relevant enough for the contest, so I ended up later doing something totally different anyway to enter in the contest.

E A R T H

Color Formulas Used (On Prelightened Hair Extensions):
1. VIVIDS Rose
2. VIVIDS Magenta
3. 4 parts VIVIDS Yellow:1 part VIVIDS Green
4. VIVIDS Green

Products Used: Silk Degrees Shine Serum, Super Shape Hairspray, DETAIL Shine & Define Polish

How To Get This Look: First, I created a smooth pony tail, then split the pony tail in half and back-combed to create fullness. Then I curled 1-inch strips of the colored hair extensions and placed/pinned the green curls first to create the "leaves." Then I pinned the pink extensions on top of the green extensions to create the"flower." I used two tones of each the green and pink to create depth, contrast and dimension. I wanted a pretty, sleek and polished flower to represent the element "Earth."

A I R

Color Formulas Used (On Prelightened Hair Extensions):
1. 1 part VIVIDS Blue:4 parts Conditioner
2. 1 parts VIVIDS Violet:4 parts Conditioner
3. VIVIDS Silver

Products Used: Elevate Botanical Root Boost, Super Shape Hairspray

How To Get This Look: Unfortunately, Pravana's gorgeous PASTELS were not available yet when I created the "Air" look, so I used the VIVIDS mixed with conditioner to achieve softer, pastel hues. I flat-ironed my model's hair and then back-combed diaganal-back sections at the roots, starting above the ear and working up to her part. I then pinned the 3-inch strips of pre-colored extensions symetrically on each side onto the back-combed base. A few high-powered fans were my friends for this look, plus an amazing model who could really "whip her hair back and forth!"

 

 

F I R E

Color Formulas Used (On Prelightened Hair Extensions):
1. VIVIDS Red
2. 1 part VIVIDS Red:1 part VIVIDS Orange
3. VIVIDS Orange
4. VIVIDS Yellow
5. VIVIDS Magenta

Products Used: Super Shape Hairspray, DETAIL Shine & Define Polish

How To Get This Look: Mohawks are amazing. Period. I created a fun but soft mohawk to resemble "Fire." I teased the mohawk section and curled and pinned the pre-colored extension hair down the center. Using a combination of back-combing and lots of hairspray, I tried to create flame-like fierceness!

W A T E R

Color Formulas Used (On Prelightened Hair Extensions):
1. VIVIDS Blue
2. 1 part VIVIDS Blue:2 parts VIVIDS Green
3. 1 part VIVIDS Green:1 part VIVIDS Yellow

Products Used: Bold Defiant Design Gel, Super Shape Hairspray

How To Get This Look: Sometimes, as hair stylists, we have to IMPROVISE! This look wasn't my original idea for "Water," but sometimes things don't go how we envision, and we have to resort to our back-up plan! For this look, I created a sleek, simple fishtail braid with deep blues and greens to resemble my last element, "Water." I gave her a deep side part and did two smal cornrows right at the part to create a base. I then pinned the 5-inch strips of pre-colored hair extensions onto the cornrows so they layed flat over her brown hair. Using water and gel, I created a bold, wet-looking fishtail braid.


Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Kira Bourque
Model: Kelsey Sidell
Photo: Dawn Kingston of 439 Photography

THINNING HAIR SOLUTIONS

T H I N N I N G   H A I R   S O L U T I O N S

An insanely popular topic that clients ask me about in the salon.  I know, poor you, it sucks and it's been a daily battle your whole life. I'm not saying it's an easy answer or simple thing to fix, but here are some ideas.

SOME TYPICAL CAUSES FOR THINNING HAIR AND BREAKAGE:

- Rough styling habits

- Excessive chemical services

- Poor scalp health

- Hormonal imbalance

- Stress/trauma

- Illness/medications

- Genetics/age

- Weight fluctuations/diet


 TIPS AND TRICKS ON STYLING FINE/THIN HAIR

Pick an appropriate hair cut.
- This is the most important place to start. I'm sorry thin-hair-people... for most of you, you just need to cut it short. Long, straggly, thin hair just isn't helping your case. Longer hair does not make you look like you have MORE hair. Keeping it shorter with some layers or stacking and texture will help you achieve volume and fullness.

Use appropriate shampoos/conditioners.
- You may think that your hair is dry and that's why it's breaking off, so you go to your super moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Too much moisture is going to way your hair down and make it impossible to achieve volume. Depending on the reason that your hair is thin, you probably want to go to your thickening, proteinizing, and clarifying shampoos. Use a zero-weight conditioner. Shampoo only at your scalp, and let it rinse through your ends in order to reduce damage and breakage. Condition only at your ends, so to keep your ends healthy, but not weigh down your hair at your scalp.

Use a volumizing styling aid.
- There's no way around it. No styling products = flat, limp hair. Find a root booster or thickening serum and load up before drying/styling. Mousses are also great for adding memory and thickness.

BLOWDRY.
- If you have fine, thin hair and you want full, luscious locks, why the hell are you taking a flat iron to it? Spend a few extra minutes, blowdry your hair with your head upside-down so the roots are lifted up, until your hair is like 85% dry. Then section your hair so that you're starting from the bottom and working up to your part and figure out how to use a blowdryer/round brush combination to add some bounce to the few strands left on your head. Style it with your part on the opposite side, then after you're completely dry, move it over to your part that you normally wear. THEN if you still have issues with frizz, polish it off with a curling iron or flat iron at the ends of your hair. And don't be shy about hair spray.


TIPS AND TRICKS TO REDUCE THINNING AND BREAKAGE

- Limit chemical services, especially extreme hair lightening.

- Limit heat styling/use on a lower temperature.

- Use TREATMENT products, to address your specific hair needs.

- Choose an appropriate style/cut that allows for a gentler styling routine.


MY RECOMMENDATION
If I had thin hair, these are the products I would use, no question about it...

EUFORA'S THICKENING COLLECTION

THE COMPLETE THICKENING REGIMEN

30 DAYS TO THICKER, FULLER HAIR

*All of the following information came directly from Eufora*

Eufora's Thickening Collection delivers the latest in scalp and hair science to create the optimum scalp environment for healthy hair growth and to improve the strength and elasticity of hair that is prone to breakage.

ProAmino Cell Therapy:
The breakthrough technology with Aloe Plant Stem Cells and ProAmino Peptide Complex brings together the best of the botanical and clinical worlds to create youthful and beautiful hair.
- Plant Stem Cells nourish and protect the scalp, promotes oxygen to help follicle asphyxia.
- Neem Seed Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E, Licorice Extract are known for antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial benefits to stimulate the scalp, calm irritations, soothe dryness and prevent follicle atrophy.
- Butyl Avocadate helps regulate 5-Alpha Reductase, a cause of premature hair loss in women and men.
- Key Amino Acids minerals and polysaccharides help to improve scalp and hair strength, shine and helps to repair internal and surface damage.
- Vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B7 are essential for healthy scalp and hair growth.

CLEANSING TREATMENT:
A zero-weight antioxidant enriched shampoo creates an optimal scalp environment for healthy hair growth. Revitalizes the scalp and helps strengthen hair to prevent further breakage.

CONDITIONING TREATMENT:
Energizing formula moisturizes and nourishes hair and scalp with zero weight. Eufora's ProAmino Cell Therapy strengthens thinning hair to prevent breakage and increase elasticity. Delivers shine and silky softness.

SCALP TREATMENT:
Concentrated formula works above and below the scalp, creating an optimum environment for healthy hair growth and helps prevent fallout with maximum ProAmino Cell Therapy.

THICKENING SERUM:
Styling prep solution to create volume and fullness with scalp and healthy hair benefits.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT:
Daily vitamin supplement with the essential dietary support required for beautiful and healthy hair growth.

Do you have any other thin-hair-advice or stories? I'd love to hear your ideas!

e-mail me at

lizkidderhair@gmail.com
or comment below.

PRAVANA KIND OF MADE ME FAMOUS

 Featured in Modern Salon March 2013 Edition

 Featured in Modern Salon September 2013 and October 2013 Editions

P R A V A N A

Haircolor inspiration can come from anywhere!  For my Pravana “Show Us Your VIVIDS” contest entry for 2012, my inspiration came from the sunrise.  Unfortunately, I did not win the contest, but to my delight, Pravana contacted me and wanted to feature some of the photos I had submitted in a few of their advertisements! After that, Behindthechair.com also ended up posting the feature on their facebook, website and e-mail!  Great exposure!

BEHIND THE CHAIR TIP OF THE DAY

 H O W   T O

1. Pre-lighten hair to a Level 10 with Pravana Pure Light Power Lightener and 20-volume Creme Developer. Mix lightener with 10-volume and shampoo and pull it through some areas on the midshaft if uneven. Rinse and dry.

2. Create a sun-shaped section on the top/left side of the head and clip it. Using Pravana VIVIDS Yellow, foil around the head to create “sun rays.” Outline the sun shape in Yellow. Further outline with equal parts VIVIDS Yellow and VIVIDS Orange. Outline that shape with a thicker section of VIVIDS Magenta and foils of VIVIDS Red.

3. Place a drop of VIVIDS Violet into a bowl of conditioner and apply to the sections of blonde that were left out at the top and bottom from roots to ends for a slight purple glow.

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Teague Vivolo
Model: Anna Mills
Photo: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography

"WICKED" VIDEO SHOOT

W I C K E D   V I D E O   S H O O T

Credits:
Video: Bob Packert 
Wardrobe: Evan Michael Industry
Styling & Jewelry: Wicked Peacock/M. Stokalska
Creative Direction: R. Parsons Design
Makeup: Teague Vivolo
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Talent: Jimmy Trapella, Anna Mills, DawnMarie Currier
Behind the Scenes Photos: Katie Bishop Schaffer

Styling hair for this video shoot was SO amazing! The whole team met in Milford, NH at a diner in the morning to get a game plan together. We then went out into the parking lot to start the project! We literally spread out clothes, makeup, jewelry and hair peices over the parking lot, and I did what I could with hair considering I had no electricity to work with! First, it was blunt bang trims on both girls. I then had to attach giant (REAL!) antlers to Dawnmarie's head... It was difficult since they had to be leaning forward and they were extremely top-heavy. I was able to use her hair to criss-cross over it and secure it. I then teased her hair to make it full and messy-looking and threw in a couple of loose, messy, free-hanging braids. With Anna, I attached another head peice and tied it on with gauze, which matched her wardrobe. I did french braids accross her head in both directions and pulled out pieces with a rattail comb to create kind of an angelic/tiara look.

We drove to a big field nearby to shoot the first part. After that, we drove to an opening of a path. We sat the models on the trunk of my car and modified the hair and makeup. I took off the head pieces and teased out Dawnmaries hair to make it even bigger and messier. Later, leaves and nature-things were even added for a final touch. After shooting in the woods, the group continued on to the waterfalls for the final part of the video.

What an amazing experience! I got to work with SO MANY talented artists! I think the video came out amazing, and I'm excited to add my first video to my portfolio!

Dawnmarie and her sick antlers!

Teague doing Jimmy's makeup.

 Myself doing Dawnmarie's hair (in my trunk).

Styling touches in the field.

Me doing Anna's hair (in my trunk).

Behind the scenes, Bob in action.

WORKING WITH CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST: DEBRA MACKI

DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO TITLE THIS EXCEPT

F R E A K I N G   A W E S O M E

I was a lucky girl to be invited to work on a shoot with this BOMB-ASS team...

Hair: ME.  Yay.  Hopefully we all know that I'm pretty cool by now.

Wardrobe Styling: Fran Collazo, the best in Boston.

Model: Jennie Ross, Maggie, Inc. model.

Photo: Dawn Kingston, 'nuff said.

Makeup: Debra Macki, Celebrity Make-up Artist.  Let's just copy and paste her credits below so you can try to understand.

Debra Macki Biography/Credentials:

-She lives in both Los Angeles, CA & Salem, MA and spends a lot of time in NYC.

-She has been working internationally as a makeup artist for 23 years.

-Celebrity Makeup Artist
-Beauty Editor for Your Beauty Industry Magazine
-Style Editor for Jamn945.com and Kiss108.com
-Represented by Lily Artist Management
-Debra teaches 6 sold out classes for makeup artists per year in the following cities: Boston, New York, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and London.
-Clients include: Rihanna, Cyndi Lauper, Ke$ha, Jenny McCarthy, Maria Menounos, Kathie Lee Gifford, Idina Menzel, People Magazine, Al Gore, Christopher Lloyd, Dr. Oz, Kris Williams from Ghost Hunters, Snooki from Jersey Shore, Nina Sky, Cherish, Miss USA & Miss Teen USA, Karina Pasian, Monica Seles, Shontelle, Roshumba..
-Debra Macki has been featured in Vogue, Seventeen Magazine, Redbook, Boston Magazine, The London Times, Woman's World, O Magazine (Oprah), Good Housekeeping, Popstar Magazine, Quick and Simple Magazine, Girl's Life, Bop, Playgirl, beautyworlds.com, Modern Bride, Teen, Seventeen, Makeup Artist Magazine, The Knot, the San Diego Union Tribune and on The Early Show on CBS.
-Debra has interviewed the following celebrities about their style for Jam'n 94.5 and Kiss 108: Lady Gaga, Fergie, Keri Hilson, Katy Perry, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, The Black Eyed Peas, Cassie, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Boys Like Girls, David Archuletta, Jesse McCartney, Brody Jenner, Ryan Leslie, Mario, Wyclef, Jay Sean, Pitbull, The-Dream, and many more.

First of all, I WANT THAT CLIENT LIST... Ok, on with the photo shoot...

L O O K   O N E  (above)

I can't stress enough how much I love to do fun hair, and if and when you give me freedom to play on a photo shoot, there is NO WAY IN HELL you're gonna get "Plain Jane."  For this look, I curled and pinned Jennie's hair in a high messy updo, leaving a chunk of hair out on each side behind her ear.  Using extensions to add to those chunks, I did a regular, simple three-strand braid on each side, and then proceeded to cross them over each other in the front, slightly on her forehead, to create almost like a headband or hat look.  After everything was placed, I just used my fingertips to gently pull out pieces of hair to make a loose, soft, final look.

L O O K   T W O  (above)

I think this look ended up being my favorite, and so easy to do!  Hair is already curled.  I placed two, sleek-to-the-head ponytails: one on the back/right side of her head, one on the top/left.  split the pony tails and clip extension hair in the center/base of pony tails.  Place curls and pin!  Again, it's kind of hat-looking!

L O O K   T H R E E  (above)

For this look, I kind of created a french twist on the very top of Jennie's head.  Kind of random, but hey, I thought it'd be cool at the time.  With the curls rolled into the inside, it gave it a cool different "twist" on the classic french twist.  I also left some pieces out on her right side that I braided and pinned down for some extra detail.

L O O K   F O U R  (above) 

"Oh she's wearing a hood for this look!"  Yay, my dream as a hair dresser!  Let's just do her makeup all fancy while we're at it and then throw some huge sunglasses on her face!  Great idea!  Anyway, did what I could do.  Curled, down, big, tease, texture, hairspray. Woo hoo. At least the other three looks were fun to do and I was pretty satisfied thus far. ;-)

Credits:

Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)

Makeup: Debra Macki, Celebrity Makeup Artist

Wardrobe: Fran Collazo

Model: Jennie Ross

Photo: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography

FAVORITE MODEL AWARD GOES TO...

A B S O L U T E L Y   A D O R E   H E R

I have had the pleasure of working with Kelsey Sidell several times.  She's a student at UMass Lowell, and model for Maggie, Inc.  Honestly, my vocabulary is pretty basic and I can't think of enough amazing words to describe this girl.  Not only is she a crazy talented model, she's a sweet, fun, and smart person.  I am completely impressed by her all around, every time I work with her.

At this photo shoot, we met Kelsey at her apartment, and unfortunately the makeup artist wasn't able to make it, with hardly any notice.  Did that phase this young lady?  Nope, she did her own!  Kelsey has pretty fine, flat hair, and we wanted big hair for this look.  I used my half-inch curling iron and set her entire head of hair in little, tiny, clipped up curls.  When I took the set out and teased it a little bit, BAM!  AFRO.  Just what we wanted.

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Kelsey Sidell
Model: Kelsey Sidell
Photos: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography

THE COLOR RUN = HAIR ETCHING

M E E T   L U K E

The Color Run was such a blast! It was a 5k Race that happened in major cities all over the country... The "Boston" one was held here in Amesbury, Massachusetts! I ran it on Sunday with my fellow hair stylist Jessica, and my hair model here, Luke. EIGHT THOUSAND PEOPLE ran it with us on Sunday, after another FIFTEEN THOUSAND had already ran it on Saturday. It was so cool at the start of the race to just see a whole sea of people dressed up in white. Well if you don't know me by now, I like to stand out! So with my hair, I already do, but I thought I'd one-up it by etching "The Color Run" into Luke's hair for some extra attention!



Luke's hair after the race- everybody freaking LOVED it!

Luke, Jessica, and I after the 5k Color Run race. The color stayed in my hair for WEEKS!

MY MOM IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL

M E E T   T H E   D I S T R I C T   G O V E R N O R

My mom, Terri Kidder, has been a part of Rotary International for about ten years. Her home club is in Amesbury, Massachusetts. This year, she became District Governor, which is a HUGE deal. For her inauguration night, we wanted to do an upstyle that fit the occasion. We all know that I like my funky, edgy styles, but I swear I can do classy too! I did a play on the classic french twist- I just kept it softer, not so perfectly molded/sculpted, gave some height on top, left some soft peices around her face, and added some detail on the side. I was so proud to see her and her hair speaking in front of everyone that night! Congratulations, Mom!

My Aunt Cathy, Aunt Sue, Grammie, Mom, myself, and brother Daniel at the inauguration.

THE FADED GINGER

M E E T   A N N A   M I L L S

This photo was from the first photo shoot I did with model, Anna Mills. I'm not sure if she was 16 or 17 years old here. Just have to say- I LOVE this girl; she's fun and outgoing, and such a sweetheart. When I first saw her at the studio, let's just say her color wasn't very flattering. It was faded out and she had roots. And I know it doesn't look it here, but this girl's got some HAIR! It's thick and poofy with a ton of natural volume. And damaged. Oh yeah, and her bangs were WAY too long.

So! I flat ironed her hair and used hairsprays, serums, and gels to give her this ultra-sleek look. I then used my mini buzzers to give her a perfect, blunt, front bang. And who would have thought- after this photo came out, there were so many compliments on her hair color! I guess if you style it right and polish it off, even faded out color can look like it's on purpose!

Another shot.

Another shot from the same day, but hair was just

"slicked" back for this amazing makeup shot.

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Teague Vivolo
Model: Anna Mills
Photo: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography

HAIR CHALK PHOTO SHOOT

H A I R   C H A L K   P H O T O   S H O O T

I really hate hair chalk.  Boom, there, I said it. It's like the stupid feathers that were cool for about two months.  Thank GOD it has come and gone as fast as the summer we just had in New England. Granted, if you go on Pinterest, it does look pretty freaking cool, like any photo of anything on Pinterest.

That being said, YAY I WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN A HAIR CHALK PHOTO SHOOT!  I did a little research and this is the type of chalk I decided was best to use:

 

Yeah. Good freaking suggestion.  I swear there is no combination of product that will help you color this girl's hair with these pastels.  You take the chalk to her hair, particles fall all over her shoulders, body, the floor, anywhere but onto the actual strands of hair.  But whatever, I pride myself in my hair improvising skills so there was only one thing left to do:

 

Chop up lines of hair chalk with my color key... DUH.  After doing this I was able to use some products on Karissa's hair to get some tackiness, and use a makeup brush to "fluff" the chalk onto her hair.  TA DA!  Hair chalk photo shoot.

I love behind the scene shots.  And Instagram.  And social media in general.

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Kira Bourque
Model: Karissa Allberry
Photos: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography