REDKEN NBT 2018 Reunion

Matthew Tyldesley September 12, 2018

It’s been an entire year since I had won Redken’s NBT (Next Big Thing) 2017 hair color contest along with five other winners and spent an entire fun filled week together in Los Angeles. We have managed to watch each others successes through social media and stay in contact through group chats.

I've stayed in close contact with last years winners and have watched their growth in the last year on social and group chats. We had really bonded and really wanted to spend time together. It was a reunion and amazing two days spent with fellow Redken artists, Kyle Pinneo, Nikki Diedrich, Aundreya Shae Rich, Woodward Bartlett and Cheryl Bakke.

I arrived in sunny, Los Angeles Wednesday evening and was hosted in downtown at the Intercontinental Hotel. The interncontinental is the second tallest in LA at a grand total 70 stories high in the sky. That evening I met the 2018 winners on the rooftop bar for a cocktail.

Selfie with NBT 2018 winner Brittany VanDyke

The next morning I awoke to ready for Venice Beach with my buddies. After a 45 minute Uber ride we found a restaurant on Venice Beach for brunch and bloody marys at Candle Cafe & Grill.

Afterwards we layed out for three hours enjoying the sun and surf. lots of people watching and really reconnecting after a busy year. We took lots of photos and enjoy the ocean’s monstrous waves. Ate mango and watermelon from a beach vendor while lastly walking the strip and checking out the local businesses.

selfie with Kyle who is also a 2018 winner!

Afterwards we got boarded back into Uber and headed back to the hotel for a two hour rest and to ready for the big rooftop party in Beverly Hills.

with Bangstyle’s Ashlee Levitch and Lori Balsamian

We arrived in style from Uber at SIXTY Beverly Hills and entered the elevators to the private rooftop Redken/NYX party. We arrived to see our work on the walls along with video projection of everyone that attended projected on the screen above the pool. We had an exclusive cocktail menu and were served light appetizers.

this years NBT winners Karla Valenzuela & Bri-Anna Burkley

my work model: Alexis Gibson make up: Isidro valenica Photography/styling: Genna Yussman Greene

The appetizers were not enough and we were starving so afterwards we went to Quarters for Korean BBQ.

I am so thankful to Redken and to all the artist involved and to all the cool people I got to meet. This was an amazing experience I hope to experience in the future again. Stay humble my friends.

LUSTRE

Matthew Tyldesley August 28, 2018

I was so excited to continue my editorial collaboration with fashion photographer, Jenni Harper Young (Harper Young Photography). This particular collection was inspired by holograms and pastel hair and fashion. Jenni had mentioned wanted to do a photoshoot with models that had blue and pink hair.

She had contacted me later and we started planning this collection. I recommend Genna Yussman Greene for Wardrobe and she wanted make up artist Becca Schell on board. Both of them played integral roles in this fashion collection. Genna had pieced together a wardrobe based on our concept along with accessories. A custom winglet she sewed together using holographic wrapping paper.

For make up Becca used bright pastels creating a beautiful, "doll" like make up. Eyeshadow was placed over entire lid and brow in strong pinks and blues on both models. Baby blue and pastel green lip color with strong baby pink blush with heavy highlighter.

hairstyles varied in length on each model ranging from lock flowing braided looks to short croppy cuts and fringed bobs.

For hair, I created various looks using several wigs. The look below was created using long hair pins that hair was woven through in a figure 8 pattern and heated using a hand held steamer. The hair setting took a couple hours to prep prior to the photoshoot.

models hair was braided to consolidate density and length for wigs

Utilizing wigs is efficient for on set photoshoots to drastically change a models look. The prep work is done prior to save time as some of the looks are very technical and time consuming to create. The hairstyle below is an example of one of the looks prepped prior to the shoot using various braid techniques.

The look below hair netting/hair veil was created using sewing thread and lots of patients. A front lace wig was used to create this look using the front hair line to execute the hair veil.

We all worked together to create a total of six looks on two model in eight hours. Genna pieced together a beautiful collection with metallic, textures in various materials in both pink, blue and holographic finishes in booth shine and matte nuances.

Jenni photographed the entire collection that was beautiful published by Elegant Magazine in a nine page spread. We are grateful to them for the feature and to everyone involved in this project.

it takes a village: Alli getting "dolled" up by Becca and I

Credits

Models

Alli Simms | @allisimmsmusic | Heyman Talent Agency

Lilly Smith | @lillylillysmith | Heyman Talent Agency

Photography | Jenni Harper Young @jharrrper

Wardrobe | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Make Up | Becca Schell @beccaschellmakeup

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

BTS making of video

Redken NBT Part IV

Matthew Tyldesley October 4, 2017

This day started off right with an hour tour of celebrity hair colorist, Tracey Cunningham's salon. We arrived early in Beverly Hills the home her salon, Meche. Her salon and staff were very down to earth with a cool L.A. casual vibe. I was on my best behavior but wanted to fan girl out when I noticed Mandy Moore having a blow out.

After the tour I was so hungry I found this cute little dinner where I devoured a cheeseburger and fries. Next we loaded for Uber and headed to the Youtube Studios in L.A.

This place is so cool...lots of studios, control rooms and they even had part of the set of display that was used in the film "Alien Covenant". I had so much fun viewing all the props and the set design all while enjoying an iced green tea compliments of youtube.

To end the evening on an amazing note, Redken corporate digital team invited us to dinner complete with ice cream. Thank you Redken

Redken NBT Part III

Matthew Tyldesley September 26, 2017

The third day continued with jammed packed events starting with the GIPHY studio tours. It was like a big playground and we had the chance to created our own gifs.

The L.A. studio is filled with swings, slides and games. It makes the work environment very fun and we couldn't agree more.

Having fun climbing on furniture at GIPHY

Our big surprise was that we were all going to have the opportunity to film our own GIFs. They handed us an iPad with quotes and emotions of which we chose three each. We were then taken to their filming\green room to act out in front of the cameras.

GIPHY was a big play land complete with a slide and a seesaw. At the end they rewarded us with stickers.

After GIPHY we boarded UBER and head to meet American Salon editor, Amy Dodds for lunch. It was great to finally meet her in person. I had emailed with her in the past so its great when you can finally put a face to the lady behind the email. Lunch was amazing with lots of seviche.

Amy is really nice and I look forward to meeting again. Thank you for all you do for the beauty industry.

Finished the night at sushi at Katsuya with the crew.

Redken NBT part II

Matthew Tyldesley September 22, 2017

The next day continued with an intimate sit down with social media influencer and fashion hair color specialist, Rebecca Taylor. We met at here studio with a live model she would later demo her signature color application there. She was so honest and candid about her humble beginnings in Florida and later moving to Los Angeles.

NBT winners with hair colorist, Rebecca Taylor and model, Darija

Rebecca told us how she was recently employed by Redken to help develop and help enhance their new fashion hair color, "City Beats" She did a pastel color application on model, Darija. She even encouraged us to get our hands dirty too.

Rebecca demoing here color application skills

Darija with the end result, pretty pastel hair color

Afterwards we all loaded in UBER and headed to the Ace Hotel for Artists Journey Experience. the whole time we were told we were in for surprise and sure enough we were. As we exited the elevator we were welcomed by Redken corporate, wine and horderves.

Redken had prepared a special dinner for us but first we would have a class with master artist, Jennifer Bonneteau. She did an amazing painting class with us and showed us many techniques.

I had not painted in a while this really brought back memories. It was really tranquil to be able to sit and just paint. I am so grateful to Redken and Jennifer for this amazing experience.

You can really tell each and everyone one of these hairstylists are true artists. I was amazing to see everyone's end results.

Jennifer is an amazing person and talented artist. During dinner all of the artists talked about challenges, struggles and success on the competition and their work ethics.

Redken NBT winners for Artist Experience

The ride is not over this was just the beginning. Thank goodness my memories is good and that I took lots of photos. Get ready for my next entry.....

Redken NBT part I

Matthew Tyldesley September 20, 2017

Well I decided to start a blog so here is my first post. The last four weeks have been crazy busy and I had been meaning to some how showcase my experience. Better late than never I say.

I was named one of The Next Best Thing (NBT) by Redken based on several hair color & styling challenges I had to post on Instagram for several weeks. The prize for winning would be an all expense trip to L.A. for a week of educational and inspirational experiences for six winners.

I figured I had nothing to lose. I was so happy when photographer and designer Genna Yussman Greene agreed to shoot and style all the shoots. I booked three make up artist and a total of six models for each challenge.

Selfie with Model, Maryah Walters make up by Kelsey Taylor Fell

Genna and model, Alexis Underwood make up by Isidro Valencia

on set with Genna Yussman Greene & Isidro Valencia

Selfie with model, Alexis Gibson Make up Andrea Ahl

When Redken announced the winners. I was overjoyed as was Genna. Whether I won or not, I really just wanted to do the photoshoots and I love a good challenge. Winning the contest meant a lot to me and I was fortunate that all my clients willingly rescheduled their appointments.

my winning images make up by Isidro Valencia, Andrea Ahl & Kelsey Taylor Fell.models L to R Rebecca Bien, Jacey Calloway, Maryah Walters, Samantha Roman, Alexis Gibson & Alexis Underwood — my winning images make up by Isidro Valencia, Andrea Ahl & Kelsey Taylor Fell.
models L to R Rebecca Bien, Jacey Calloway, Maryah Walters, Samantha Roman, Alexis Gibson & Alexis Underwood

Flying to L.A. was so exciting as I had no idea what the week would entail other than the itinerary that Redken had emailed to me. Other than two of the winners I had never met the other winners. After spending a week with a group of people you really get to know them. I had a wonderful time meeting and spending time with Redken artists Kyle Pinneo, Nikki Diederich, Aundreya Shae Rich, Woodward Bartlet and Cheryl Bakke.

Redken hosted us at the Standard Hotel in downtown L.A. I went to the rooftop upon arrival and greeted the other artists that had arrived. After a cocktail and meet and greet I retired to my room. The next day was a free day and a group of us went to Venice Beach to enjoy some sunshine. Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel to get ready to meet Rodney Cutler at the Kimpton hotel rooftop party.

The rooftop party hosted several make up artist, fashion bloggers & social media influencers and the NYX cosmetics top six make artists and the Redken social media team.

Rooftop Red carpet with Rodney and the winners

The next day we had a photoshoot mentored by Rodney at Bangstyle's office in Encino. We spent the entire day with the lovely staff of Bangstyle as well as photographer, Clair Huntsberger and NYX cosmetics make up artist, Susan Alba. Rodney gave amazing advice but didn't try to take over. My model Maria, was very sweet. I did a layered dry cut on her hair and created a wet like hairstyle with braids and elastics.

on set with Model, Maria Martin and Photographer, Clair Huntsberger

The day was a lot of fun and Bangstyle provided some awesome greek food and Sam Villa sent all us his new curling iron!! I was very happy with the images Clair took of Maria.

Image by Clair Huntsberger, model Maria Martin, make up Susan Alba

Selfie with model,  Maria Martin — Selfie with model, Maria Martin

Redken NBT 2017 winners photoshoot with Bangstyle & Rodney Cutler