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.

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

REDKEN NBT 2018 Reunion

Redken NBT part I