Sirens of the Shallows

Matthew Tyldesley December 10, 2019

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”

Shock Menagerie

Matthew Tyldesley August 22, 2019

Last summer, I was asked by make up artist Rebecca Rhodes to create a wig that would adorn her model for a make up competition of which she was entering. I willingly agreed to create a black and yellow avant grade wig for her to use during her live competition.

She was thrilled with the piece I had created and I delivered it to her at the Galt House downtown louisville for the live competition, “Battle of the Brushes”. I had mentioned to her possibly do a collabo with lots of color and several models.

The next day I found out she had won second place at “Battle of the Brushes” with her amazing makeup on her model, Katya. I quickly messaged her to congratulate her on her win and again suggested we do a collection and she agreed.

At “Battle of the Brushes” with model, Katya and Make up artist, Rebecca

I had contacted my team at Absolute Studio, Genna Yussman Greene and one his last collections, Tony Welscher to be part of this exciting collaboration.

of course, a shoot takes planning so I needed a few weeks to fabricate the details and map out the plans. I do a lot of bookings but this time I left that job to Rebecca. With she booked Katie Leigh Tarr, Lucy Duane and Rebecca Bien and modeled herself as the fourth model.

For the hair I wanted bold contrast, Primary colors and black. I would again use the black and yellow wig from the competition as one of the pieces. I got to really play and experiment; my materials for this included Kanekalon hair, yarn, rubber covered wiring and wig mesh. I loved layering the textures and used cut wig mesh that I woven hair extensions through. The hair became quite pliable and would be easy to form on the models.

Another wig had me sewing wig mesh into a tubular shape of which I later stuff with red and blue kanekalon hair. Repeating the same technique with the crochet hook for the bulk of the surface.

Genna provided black tops and a really cool futuristic shoulder piece along with matching armor bands that we rotated on each of the models.

I decided for one of the pieces I would take a mesh wig cap and overstuff it with the orange and yellow kanekalon hair and secure the end. Afterwards I took a small crochet hook and pulled hair out at various lengths for the frothy surface texture. I made several that I could build around hair forms on top of a secured scalp braided wig wrap on one of the models.

Rebecca did amazing cohesive face and body make up on each of the models. The entire process took over eight hours at Absolute Studio. Tony photographed each model on a solid black drop and Genna retouched the images for release.

Our collection was beautifully released in a five page spread in Beau NU magazine January 2019 issue.

Credits

Models:

Lucy Duane (Heyman Talent Agency) @lucyduane

Katie Leigh Tarr (Heyman Talent Agency) @kt_tarr

Rebecca Bien

Rebecca Renne Rhodes

Make Up: Rebecca Renee Rhodes @porcelain_kween

Hair : Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Wardrobe/Retouch: Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Photography: Tony Welscher for Absolute Studio

BTS making of “Shock Menagerie”

California Dreaming

Matthew Tyldesley July 26, 2018

I was really excited to shoot a summer collection with my friend Genna Yussman Greene. We had recently rented a studio at Mellwoods Art Center and she wanted to start shooting editorial and beauty in addition to design and styling.

I remember discussing doing a summer inspired shoot and we need models so I post on social media a model call. I had gotten several responses and decided to book four of the models that responded.

I knew for this collection I wanted to focus on texture with a commercial feel and utizling hair pieces to create some soft summery dimension. I made several clip hair extensions that I colored with Redken's City Beats fashion hair color.

We wanted a "Boho" feel so Genna styled multiple outfits using hassle, faux fur, heavy textiles and layers to create a fashionable, summer collection. For hair I set each models hair in varying degrees of curls sets (from tight curls to loose waves) incorporating soft summer pastel hues. Hair was teased and set into two to three looks per model. For some styles braids were added along with yarn for others.

I enlisted make up artist, Caleb Yeske to create the make up on our gorgeous models. He did a wonderful job of layering the make up from look to look. Soft natural looks to bright bold eyeshadeows and perfectly lined eyes.

The shoot lasted about 10 hours rotating models between sets and wardrobe and allowing ample time for hair and make up. The day was bright and cheery given the rather cold day outside. Our collection definitely harkens to summer and we were happy to have the collection featured in the June, Summer issue of Beauty Launchpad Magazine.

Hazy, breezy and oh so boho...this collection boasts textured hairstyles with colored accents, volume and commercial make up along with a modern Summer wardrobe.

up close and personal with model, Dezaray

We titled this collection, "California Dreaming" for the L.A. vibe with the hair and wardrobe. A big thank you to Beauty Launchpad for publishing our collection.

Credits

Models |

Katie Leigh Tarr @kt_Tarr

Katia Bachelder @deanna_rush_

Dezaray Nicks @dezaraynicks

Karoline Jane Hix @karolinehix_model

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Make Up | Caleb Yeske @ckyhair

Photography | Styling | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

through the lens with Genna and model, Katia

BTS making of California Dreaming