My creative mind seems to almost always be in overdrive. Even if I am not physically up to par you can believe I’m spending what energy I do have on artistic ideas. Like everyone deserves a vacation, I needed a much needed break from work behind the chair, work travel and photoshoots. In addition to being physically exhausted, I was also mentally worn out. I had an upcoming vacation planned to clear my mind and to give my body much needed rest. I had frequented New Smryna Beach, Florida with my husband Eric almost annually. We have skipped a year here and there but always return to this peaceful, low key beach town.

Last summer, Eric and I rented a beach house right on the shore. In the morning we would venture out with our dog Cupid and head straight for the beach. It was there laying after around after a few days. I had visualized a beauty collection I wanted to create when we returned home. Beautiful woman on the sand… The big inspiration came from my wet feet touching the sand when we were walking the shore. I love how small fragments of shell and rock would remind on my skin. I thought how beautiful this would look on the skin of models with gorgeous updos.

Images by Genna Yussman Greene / Absolute Studio

When I returned home from vacation, I started to story board my ideas to share with Genna Yussman Greene and Isidro Valencia. I would spend several hours practicing hairstyles on hair mannequins. I would then take photos with my camera to save for reference. I also spent a lot of time making custom hair extensions as I knew I would need a lot in a variety of different hues to compliment the models I would need to book.

I ended up booking four models from the region, Laura Kirkpatrick, Tyra Burton, Abbie Purdie and Katie Leigh Tarr. I needed models that had long necks and sharp features. I was so lucky with the girls that were confirmed for this project.

Each model took no less than four hours for hair and make up prep. The photoshoot was booked for two days exclusively at Absolute Studio . Each hairstyles was so technical requiring three hours. Model, Tyrah’s natural hair was first blown straight then ironed using Redken’s Iron Shape 11. Hair pad were used to create her asymmetrical mohawk. Hair pads were used on each models, including Laura who had two oblong hair pads to create her updo.

I used so much hair spray. Redken’s Fashion Works 12, Control Addict 28, Triple Take 32 to created these masterful hairstyles. I set the models hair with various curling irons ranging in different diameters to control the hair and to create volume. The use of hair extensions allowed for more density and to create some soft, color variations on each hairstyle.

Genna spent some time creating soft, “net” tops she constructed for each model. Isidro practiced the make up for the skin using spirit gum. We end up using super fine sand along with gold dust. The make up was clean and gorgeous with each model having a soft, youthful glow. The aquatic, summery, florida vibe was in full effect.

This photoshoot was two full days of work but the final outcome was worth all the sweat and tears. During the first day of shooting we were struck with a severe storm. We lost power temporarily and had to move electronics since water had started leaking in our studio. Without electricity I was freaking out because being a hairstylist requires a lot of heat styling. Fortunately after an hour, power was restored without issue and we resumed were we had left off.

Believing in Mermaids and Sirens, I decided to title the collection, “Sirens of the Shallows”. Originally pitched for competition I decided to try submission for publication. Our collection was picked up for print of the entire collection in the September 2019 beauty issue of Picton magazine. I was beyond happy with our collection and grateful to our team and thankful to Picton magazine for publishing our collection.

Credits

Models

Laura Kirkpatrick @laura_allstar

Tyra Burton @tyramonique

Abbie Purdie @abbiepurdie

Katie Leigh Tarr @kt_tarr

Photography | Styling | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Make Up | Isidro Valencia @valencia0612

Hair | Creative Direction | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

One aspects about photoshoots I truly love is that each one possess an amazing story. From start to finish there are challenges, discoveries and unexpected wins. The beauty from inspiration to end result is where the magic lies.The challenges we all had on set regarding the storm only made us work harder. I am grateful to all who collaborated on this beautiful collection.

BTS making of “Sirens”

I am a busy body and always have been. As far as I can remember I can never sit still and to this day I like to sit up at night after working at the salon and create and practice on mannequins and custom wig pieces. I can get inspiration from anywhere and I had stumbled across some really pretty shades of teal in synthetic hair from my local hair shop.

I had started to create some braids using the hair and I loved how the ends turned out but had put that aside to create a similar piece for another collection. This sometimes happens as an artist. I knew I wanted to return to this collection but had worked on some other pieces for two other shoots. It had also been a while since i had worked with Isidro Valencia so I knew I wanted him to be in charge of the make up to go with each piece I decided to create.

This look for Abbie was done by using straight kanakalon hair which I meticulously braided. Afterwards the braids were formed into shape and sewn into a headdress.

It took me several weeks with work and travel as priority as I would work in my freetime, in the evenings and on the weekends. I took snapshots with my phone and sent to Isidro to inspire his make up creativity. We would feature this collection in my art studio I shared with Genna Yussman Greene (wardrobe stylist and photo retoucher) at Absolute Studio in Louisville, Ky and Tony Welsher would photograph the collection.

forming the hair to the headdress using Redken’s Control Addict 28 and heavy heat from hairdryer

The “Pink Lady” hairstyles is very whimsical, Dr. Seuss like feel with a braided veil to cover Dezaray’s face for a dramatic effect. Konakalon Hair was cut into small pieces and fused to a active mesh covered with plaster strips custom head piece. I used matching colored thread instead of elastics to create the braided net veil.

I wanted this collection to showcase braids and feature lots of texture. I created various braids and created form with unusual shapes and hair forms using plaster strips, light weight active mesh. Custom wigs and hair . I kept the shades various hues of “cool” tones and “pastels”.

Photo Sep 17, 2 06 20 PM.jpg — Dezaray on set

Everything turned out to have a “Space Goddess” feel. I used beads and various hair setting techniques in advanced to set and prep the hair pieces for the day of the shoot. I did have to give my hands a break as the preparation of this took several weeks and several hours of braiding.

I took Custom wigs and stacked them using hair forms to create this look on Tracy. I did a lot of prep work on the wigs such as the twisting and ric-racking technique for texture along with stringing the ends with beads.

This look on Dominique which I later referred to as “The Jaguar” started first from forming light weight wire into a headdress. I used plasters of Paris strips to cover the wire then after drying, painted in acrylic the base to match the shades of hair I was using. It was then covered with the braids and matching konakalon hair.

molding the headdress with plaster strips and wire

I found this color at my local hair shop and fell in love with the color effect. I had to braid quite a few of theses

Soft lighting was used to enhance the hair and make up but not to overpower. The same cool tones were used in opposing position with gels in diffused tones. Genna provided simple black bandeau tops as to create the perfect canvas to showcase the hair and make up.

The bast of this was done with active meche and paper mache

For make up isidro decided on two themes: two models were done in avant grade style of make up inspired by his favorite painter, Jackson Pollack. Then the other two models were done is sultry, glamorous make up.