Hotheads Stylist Interview: Alexis Lopez

Alexis Lopez has been styling, cutting, and coloring hair since the age of seventeen in Los Alamitos, California.
In her years since graduating from Goldenwest Cosmetology in Huntington Beach, Alexis has spent her time building and maintaining a diverse and fun clientele. With years of experience, Alexis is comfortable tackling any head of hair to walk through the door! In addition to salon care, she is able to prescribe you the best at home care, to keep your head happy. Alexis started assisting Becky Mitchell (a Hotheads educator) who taught her everything about Hotheads, and all the benefits." I have been consistently wearing hotheads for about 2 years now. In this time I have had Black, Red, Pink, Violet, and Brown hair. and have used Hotheads for all of those looks. I am really passionate about hair and Hotheads, and have been spreading the word to as many stylists and clients as possible." When she isn't working hard at The Haven Salon, she is spending time with her soon to be husband, and their son.

HH: When did you discover that you wanted a career in the beauty industry?

AL: I discovered my love of hair and make-up when I was 11, and my mom brought home a doll head from work, so she could practice finger-waves. Consequently, my mother is also a hair stylist. After that, whenever my Mom did her hair at home, she would let me play with the left over color, and put highlights on my doll head! When I was 15, I started doing my friends hair, and it just sort of escalated!

HH: What your favorite Hotheads Hair Extension color?

AL: My favorite color is #4. I know its simple, but I feel like it is just the most gorgeous deep brown!

HH: Do you think this is a skill that successful beauty professionals are born with or is it one that can to be cultivated and perfected?

AL: Honestly, either you have it or you don’t! Its kind of like Athletes, really. Its pretty obvious some people are just born with a little extra special skill, but they still have to train hard to harness that skill. 

HH: How can young men and women who are aspiring to work in the beauty industry begin their journey?

AL: If you can lean color theory, basic math, and people skills, you will be ahead of the game! 

HH: Is there anyone that you would like to work with whom you haven't yet?

AL:I love watching other people work, but I cant think of any specifics off the top of my head. I have worked with a few celeb stylists!

HH: What are some career goals that people should set for themselves before attempting a career in beauty?

AL: Stay true to yourself. If you maintain who you are, and exude confidence, people will be drawn to you. Never give up! It is feast or famine in this industry, so you have to be prepared to save your money, and stay positive. Some more physical goals would be to be done assisting after 1-2 years, and be renting in a year after that! Also, never stop learning :)

HH: What is the hardest part about working in beauty?

AL: The hardest part for me is charging the prices I deserve. I often get shy and undercut myself! As a more general hardship, I'd say working with personalities. This industry is predominately women, artist, and intense personalities! So learning how to get along can be a challenge for some. 

HH: Is beauty school a necessary step to take toward a career?

AL: I personally believe that beauty school teaches you discipline, and pushes you to leave your comfort zone, when you are put "on the floor."  My experience truly prepared me for the industry, mainly by teaching me how to get along with other stylists. It helps you build your confidence. 

HH: Who has inspired you the most throughout your career in beauty?

AL: I have been inspired largely by Lady Gaga. She is constantly redefining what beautiful is. 

HH: Why do you think you decided to become a hair stylist?

AL: It was the only thing that made me really happy. There is no limit to how much money you can make in this business, so I knew I could progress and have the nice things I always wanted!

HH: What are your favorite Hotheads hair products?

AL: The hair extensions, of course! I have recently been experimenting with the wet line, and I am very impressed. 

HH: Which styling tools do you use most often?

AL: The blowdryer is my weapon! If its used right, with the right brush, you shouldn’t need too much more heat!

HH: How do you feel hair relates to personal style?

AL: Hair is everything, i think. Weather its short, long, medium, whatever! How you wear your hair says a lot about your professionalism, your attitude, style. 

   

HH: What inspires you?  Who inspires you?

AL: Art inspires me. Color, daily life, people. I love people! Lady Gaga is really inspirational, but I love looking outside of this generation, and taking looks from the past. 

HH: How do you think that hair relates to a person's confidence?

AK: Seeing my clients eyes fill with tears, because of how beautiful they feel after a new set of extensions, or a cut, or color.... it is so telling. 

Thanks Alexis for opening up to Hotheads!

Find & Follow Alexis on Instagram | Tumblr | Website

Check out one of Alexis's client Hotheads testimonial:

For the latest

Hotheads updates follow us:

Hotheads Remove Solvent

There’s no sticky or oily residue with Hotheads Remove Solvent. Our proprietary removal solution makes it extremely easy to remove Hotheads Extensions after wear and prep for reuse. Find out more about this and other Hair Care products by going to www.hotheadshairwear.com/wetline2.html/

Photo Credit: Lauren Mae Haggard of San Francisco, Copyright Jenna Beth Photography.

Hotheads Stylist Feature:Tera Stephens

Known for her uber-cool style and trend-setting threads, you would think hair stylist Tera Rae Stephenswas a celeb…Well, in the world of tresses and locks, she is the star of the salon.  Tera catapulted onto the Southern California hair scene with fierce determination and sheer certainty.

This born and bred Orange County wife and mother has always been full of life, drive, and smarts, but she didn’t always know she was meant for hair.  Originally, she thought she wanted to be a teacher—“Mainly to get the summers off,” Tera admits with a big grin.  However, this free-spirited lady was missing that passion she craved in her career. It was not until she saw her best friend finish Cosmetology school that started contemplating a life making people look their very best. 

“When you look good, you feel good,” explains Tera, “I wanted to make people feel like they could do anything. Sometimes, the right cut or color is all a person needs to make a huge difference in their confidence and self-esteem.” In her early twenties, Tera attended  Paul Mitchell The School. Tera took to hair like a fish to water—she was simply meant for it.  While learning the ins and outs at school, she also worked as a server at OC hot spot Memphis and was a full-time super mom.  Tera never gave up and one year after completing school, she not only had her own chair at the premier Corona Del Mar salon Christopher & Co., but she had an assistant…and was double booked.

Now, with over ten years of experience in her back pocket, Tera sets up shop with the busiest station atTek Salon in Costa Mesa.  Her specialty?  The ever-popular and celebrity favorite, Hotheads hair extensions.  Originally, Tera was not interested in doing extensions; earning a bad reputation for damaging hair and taking 6 plus hours to apply, but not with Hot Heads.  Tera loves utilizing Hotheads’tape technology that actually helps the hair grow and the little time it takes.  She gives her clients instant length and volume in under an hour.  “That’s my favorite moment,” says Tera, “When a client looks in the mirror and smiles from ear to ear when I’m finished doing their hair.”

When she’s not in the salon making people look red carpet ready, Tera is the queen of the Stephens family—wife of entertainment photographer Justin Stephens and mother of three radical kids: Griffin, Hudson, and Harper.  She may not have the summers off, but just like her happy clients, Tera Rae Stephens sure has a lot to smile about.

HH: When did you discover that you wanted a career in the beauty industry? 

TS:My best friend went to Cosmetology school right after graduating high school and when she started assisting, I went to work at her salon as a receptionist.  I fell in love with the energy of creativity and women getting their beauty on!  Hair stylists are really fun to hang out with!

HH:What your favorite Hotheads Hair Extension color? 

TS: Being in Newport Beach, the majority of my clientele are blondes.  I love #23 and #25, also the colors I wear!!!

HH: Is there anyone that you would like to work with whom you haven't yet? 

TS: My salon recently started carrying Kevin Murphy product and it is really fun to work with.  I would love a little time working on models with Kevin!

HH: Do you think this is a skill that successful beauty professionals are born with or is it one that can to be cultivated and perfected? 

TS: In school, it was obvious who the "naturals" were.  I absolutely believe hair dressing is something you're born with but I've also seen clumsy, insecure stylists work really hard to hone their craft and become amazing!

HH: How can young men and women who are aspiring to work in the beauty industry begin their journey?

TS: I think it's a great idea to spend some time in a salon before taking the leap into school.  Even if you're sweeping hair or working the desk, it's a good way to get a feel for the industry.  Next, chose the best school you can afford and give it your all.

HH:What are some career goals that people should set for themselves before attempting a career in beauty? 

TS: I dabbled in college and now really wish I had completed a business degree program.  It can be difficult to manage your money when you're beginning your career and I wish I had a better understanding of that and how to market myself when I was building my business.

HH: What is the hardest part about working in beauty?

TS: I work 3 days a week because I've chosen to be home more since having 3 kids.  This makes for long days in the salon.  The hardest part is the toll hair dressing takes on your body.  12 hour days are exhausting.  I've found that yoga and pilates are a huge help in keeping neck and back pain away!

HH: Is beauty school a necessary step to take toward a career? 

TS: Beauty school is the route I chose but I don't think it's necessary.  If you choose to apprentice, make sure you're in a great salon with a fantastic stylist to work under.

HH: Who has inspired you the most throughout your career in beauty?

TS: I'm most inspired by the precision cuts of Vidal Sassoon and the loose, undone stylings of Oribe.

HH: How can girls highlight their best features without going overboard?  

TS: Remember that more is not always more!  Blonder isn't better when your hair is breaking off.  Work with what you have, play up your great features and love yourself.  That's what makes you the most beautiful anyway!

HH: Why do you think you decided to become a hair stylist?

TS: I loved the salon environment, the camaraderie, fashion, creativity.  It just felt good to be in the salon, whether it was as a client or employee.

HH: What inspires you? Who inspires you? 

TS: Fashion and travel are huge sources of inspiration for me.  Also my husband who is an amazing photographer.  I'm kind of impulsive so his attention to detail and thought process he goes through before a shoot are really inspiring!

HH: What are your favorite Hotheads hair products?  

TS: I can't live without the extensions, of course!  And I also love the Silky Smooth Deep Hydrating Mask.

HH: Which styling tools do you use most often? 

TS: My 25mm Enzo Milano clamp less curling iron is my most used tool

HH: What are some good tips for young people trying to break into the industry?

TS: The owner at the first salon I rented a chair at always said, "Dress up and show up."  It will be in my head forever and I find myself repeating it to new stylists trying to build.  You have to look great when you go to the salon or clients won't feel you're capable of making them look great.  Also, never talk sex, religion or politics!

HH: How do you feel hair relates to personal style? 

TS: One of the best things about hair is that it can be easily changed to meet any personal style need.  The bohemian girl can leave hers tousled and undone while an edgy girl can do a dramatic color or cut to match hers.  Our hair is kind of the icing on the style cake!

HH: How do you think that hair relates to a person's confidence?  

TS: Have you ever had a terrible haircut or color?!!  When your hair looks great everything is right with the world!  There's a reason the term "Good hair day" came along!!!


If you live in Los Angels, Check out the invitation below for Tera's Hotheads event on Sunday January 19, 2014.

Tera will apply extensions on 2 very different models and enter a raffle for some great giveaways including a full head of Hot Heads as well as product and goodies for clients already wearing Hotheads. 

Drink mimosas and have a really fun morning with Tera!

Reblog: Long Hair Don’t Care

                                 {Hotheads Hair extensions by Cynthia at Van Michael Salon}

{Before}

{During}

{After with the Weave Wizard…Cynthia!}

Hair extensions are a tricky thing. Go to the wrong peeps and you can end up looking like hot mess from The Bad Girls Club. I wanted to go Rapunzel long this go-around so I hit up locally loved Van Michael Salon (1667 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach; 305-534-6789) where Cynthia Winston  — the Weave Wizard — did her thang along with her assistant, Eric.

After a preliminary consultation, Cynthia used roughly three packs of 22-to-24 inches of 100% human hair Hotheads tape-in extensions (the average person needs two packs, but this hairy Greek ain’t average). Each pack costs $89 and up — depending on the length and color. Cynthia chose two shades for me — brown and blonde — for that California surfer chick look I wanted.
Tape-in extensions are the most preferable extensions these days (as opposed to bonding types)  because they don’t compromise your natural hair. The Hotheads are applied with a medical adhesive tape and a simple spray solution gets them out.

Once in Cynthia’s chair, the whole process took only two hours. My hair was shampooed with clarifying shampoo to rid hair of oil and then blow dried. Cynthia taped in snippets of Hotheads and ironed them afterward. The key to natural looking extensions? Blending one’s natural hair and the extension together — and Cynthia really killed it in that department.

She’s also the master of disguise. Meaning, when I put my hair in a bun or pony tail, you won’t see my extensions peeking through (I personal pet peeve of mine).
The end result? Jennifer Aniston pre Justin Theroux tresses (which happens to be my fave Jen).


This post was written by fashion blogger Maria Tettamanti, please follow her blog The Wordy Girl! 

Hotheads Stylist Interview: Erin Schwarz

Erin Schwarz is a stylist at the Erik Alan Davis Salon in Fort Lauderdale. It was Erin’s drive and determination that Erik noticed as he quickly made Erin his lead assistant. After apprenticing under celebrity stylist Erik Alan Davis, Erin has developed advanced skills and blossomed into a fabulous stylist at the Erik Alan Davis Salon. Erin is known for her precision when it comes to fine haircutting and exceptional styling skills which makes her one of the most in demand hair stylists in the South Florida area.

HH: When did you discover that you wanted a career in the beauty industry?


ES: When I was a child I was always cutting my dolls hair and giving them different hair styles, I knew then that I had a passion for hair styling.
 

HH: What your favorite Hotheads Hair Extension color?


ES: Number 7, because it adds such vibrancy and richness to any brunette.
 
 


HH: Is there anyone that you would like to work with whom you haven't yet?


ES: Anna Wintour. Who is this industry wouldn’t want to work alongside the pope of fashion.
 

HH: Do you think this is a skill that successful beauty professionals are born with or is it one that can to be cultivated and perfected?


ES: I think it's definitely both. It’s an art form and it's in your soul, but basics can be cultivated and perfected with the right training.
 


HH: How can young men and women who are aspiring to work in the beauty industry begin their journey?


ES: By calling and/or visiting their local beauty to find the right fit for them.
  

HH: What are some career goals that people should set for themselves before attempting a career in beauty?


ES: To be driven, to work smarter not harder, and to achieve the career path you desire by making the right choices. It’s completely up to you how far you can go in this industry, you have to want it.
 

HH: What is the hardest part about working in beauty?


ES: I think the hardest part in any industry is to stay focused and positive at times. You should always persevere and don't let anyone bring you down.
 

HH: Is beauty school a necessary step to take toward a career?


ES: Absolutely that's where you get your start and your basic foundation for your career.
 

HH: Who has inspired you the most throughout your career in beauty?


ES: Erik Alan Davis is my biggest inspiration. He has accomplished so much already in his young career, the drive, artistry, and passion exuded from his soul is such an inspiration.
 

HH: How can girls highlight their best features without going overboard?


ES: The key is simplicity, I’m in love with keeping the base natural and finishing it off with perfectly sun kissed balayage.
 
 


HH: Why do you think you decided to become a hair stylist?


ES: I adore the art of hairstyling and I have an artistic spirit. I fall in love every day with my career. There's great artistic freedom in hairstyling and I love it.
 


 


HH: What inspires you? Who inspires you?


ES: Art, fashion trends, and nature. There is so much beauty in this world to be inspired by, you just need to be able to see it!
 
 


HH: What are your favorite Hotheads hair products?


ES: Silky Smooth Deep Hydrating Masque & Gloss Polishing Serum. I want my clients to have silky nourished hair with vinyl shine. Those two products are a must have.
 
 


HH: Which styling tools do you use most often?


ES: Three of my must-have tools are my YS Park brushes, my Mason Pearson, and my Parlux blow dryer.
 
 


HH: What are some good tips for young people trying to break into the industry?

ES: List your goals, stay positive, and passionate! Then take the steps necessary to achieving those goals such as networking and continuing education.
 
 


HH: How do you feel hair relates to personal style?


ES: One of my favorite parts of the hair industry is that you can be anything you want to be with a new hairstyle.
 
 


HH: Did someone inspire the new look you have given her?


ES: Current trends from the streets of New York and Paris, which I see a lot of natural and soft ombre hair. I love that it is so subtle and low maintenance, which clients love.
 
 


HH: How do you think that hair relates to a person's confidence?


ES: If you don't feel good about your look, you lack confidence. When someone feels beautiful they exude positive energy and confidence. It’s that simple.

Thanks Erin for a wonderful interview!

Find & Follow Erin on Instagram|Website

 

Hotheads Hair Extensions Removal in 15 seconds

As you can see Betty's hair has grown out and it's time to take out her extensions. To remove- spray solvent on the client's natural hair and let it seep through the tabs. Peel off the top extension, then pull from underneath to remove the bottom extension. Then comb!

Hotheads Chignon DIY with Damaris Aguilar

The Hotheads Chignon is a perfect solution for stylists to share with their clients after applying a full head of extensions. Whether it’s for an intimate Thanksgiving dinner or a large holiday office party, this versatile look can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Hotheads new Micro Strands are specifically designed to lay completely undetectable in areas where other extensions tend to be cumbersome. They’re perfect for the parietal ridge, crown, hairline and the temple area, making them ideal for clients who prefer their hair pulled up. In this tutorial, we’re using Micros, coupled with Hotheads Extensions to create a gorgeous chignon that’s simple enough for clients to recreate just in time for the holidays.

Hotheads Chignon

1. For this application- Our model was looking for subtle color dimension, in addition to some length & volume. So we added No. 5 (22” to 24”), Color No. 7 (18” to 20”) & Micro Strands in Color No. 4 (18”-20”). All you need to create this look is an elastic headband, claw clips and a couple pieces of Hotheads Hair Extensions for volume. 

2. After you complete the application on your client, you are ready to begin styling their Chignon and show them how they can do it at home!

3. Place their favorite elastic headband at the crown and allow the headband to smooth and secure the hair against the head.

4. After the headband is properly placed, start putting the hair up by taking small sections from both sides and twisting the hair back. To secure your clients hair, tuck it under the elastic part of the headband.

5. Using a light hold hairspray, mist the hair to keep everything in place.

6. Voilá!