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

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

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 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

RED HEAD

M E E T   B E T H A N Y

Bethany is my client at Salon Aniu.  Doesn't this girl look beautiful in red?  I decided that I had done so many photo shoots where I just did the hair STYLING, so I wanted to use a client of mine that I had done the cut and color as well.  And why not Bethany, with her beautiful, long, vibrant red hair?  I wanted to do something totally out of the box.  Something where the HAIR was the focus, not the outfit. So here's what we came up with...

Yup.  Think I made the hair the focus.  See what happens when people tell me they just want it down and curled all the time?  I GO NUTS!

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Kira Bourque
Model: Bethany Kolenda
Photo: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography

WORKING WITH NATURALLY CURLY BEAUTIES

T H E S E   A R E   S O M E   C U R L Y   G I R L I E S

ALEXIS

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

This is Alexis (above).  Oh.My.God. her natural hair.  Wish I could take credit for the curls but they were all her.  I just teased the crap out of her roots to give her volume and used some product to give her a nice polished look.  To make my day more interesting, I styled her hair in a nice, high updo for the second part of her shoot, continuing to just use her natural curls.

CRYSTAL

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: 
Model:Crystal Gonzales
Photo: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography

This is Crystal (above).  Again, she's a natural curly girl.  I polished off her girls with a little bit of the curling iron and some product to make her not so frizzy.  Hey, work smarter, not harder, right?  We also popped in some red extension pieces for some flair!

THAT FAMOUS VICTORIA'S SECRET LOOK

H E L L O O O O   A L E X I S !

Trying to create that sexy, Victoria's Secret kind of look? Here's how:

1.  Pre-section hair into four quadrants.

2.  Starting from the bottom, in the nape area, take approximately 1.5 inch horizontal sections in a brick-lay pattern.

3.  With each section, spray with a working spray, then comb it through until dry. Tease close to the root area of that section.  Curl the section, starting at the base of the section, and slowly working out to the ends.

4.  Let go of the curl from the iron, but keeping all of the hair in that circular formation.  Using a small, metal double-prong clip, set the curl by pinning it onto the teased base.  Repeat this until all of the back is curled and pinned horizontally on-base.

5.  Moving to the front two quadrants, be careful not to tease directly at the hairline- keep that soft.  Repeat the same steps that you did to curl and set in the back, but take slightly more of diagonal-back sections.

6.  At the very top section around the part, don't tease the base too much, and change to vertical, on-base sections.  This way, there is no straight-line-part, and you get maximum volume at the top.

7.  After everything is set, spray with a firm-hold hairspray and let dry.

8.  Release all curls and comb through with a gentle brush, softly teasing underneath through the mid-shafts to soften the curls.

9.  Use a high-powered fan to blow around all of your hard work.

10.  Add a pink bra, pink flower, and pink background for maximum Victoria's-Secret-ness. ;]

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Kira Bourque
Model: Alexis Capozzi
Photo: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography

ALICE IN WONDERLAND SHOOT

A L I C E   I N   W O N D E R L A N D

Alice, the inspiration for this shoot, has beautiful, blonde (fake, cartoon) hair.  Unfortunately, Miss Claudia, my beautiful human model, had not-so-much hair to work with.  Lucky for me and Claudia, I love extensions!  After curling Claudia's hair and teasing at the root area, I added in clip-in blonde extensions that I had curled before-hand to give her this young, pretty, full, luscious, voluminous look.  Sorry- too many adjectives, can't help it.

Credits:
Hair: Liz Kidder (Me)
Makeup: Kira Bourque
Model: Sidra Soleil
Photo: Dawn Kingston, 439 Photography