Audrey from Hairvana in Bristol wears many hats, but one of them is being my former hairstylist. What made the hour drive long worth it for me was Audrey’s warm and welcome personality, the fact that she was easy to talk to, and the fact that I had left with whatever I wanted. She is also the hairstylist of one of my closest friends and continues to be a friend of mine long after I stopped being a client.
If you look at her instagram or Facebook you’d be — I know I am — blown away by her talent. Audrey first cut my hair short, but it’s vivids and alt hair that’s her specialty. And trust me, her music taste matches. Need some pop punk while getting your hair done? Audrey is your girl. She continues to inspire me to be creative in my hair endeavors, and she continues to rock what she has on herself.
I asked Audrey some questions about her inspiration and what makes her love what she does.
Can you share your professional background?
I graduated IIC of Plainville in 2017.
It’s about a year program (1500 hours)
You take your state boards and if you pass become licensed. I started at a summit salon training under a master stylist for a little under a year before I started taking all of my own clients. I ended up staying there for 7 years. We had educational classes regularly and I was constantly learning. In that time I was keratin complex certified and Redken specialist certified. I’m also trained in facial waxing, brow tinting and tape in extensions.
What made you want to become a hairdresser?
Oddly enough being a hair stylist was not on my radar. I always messed around with my own hair whether it was styling, cutting and coloring. I would occasionally do friends hair. I got really interested in cosmetics and experimenting with make up. It was actually my therapist at the time that suggested cosmetology school – she even set up the tour for me! I was at a crossroads in life where I didn’t want to continue to work retail and wanted to do something more creative. I thought why not give it a try? Once I started school I knew this is what I wanted to do!
Can you please share what services you offer?
All color services (highlights, balayage, gray blending, grey coverage, vivids, color blocking, root retouches, all over color & corrective color. I include protein treatments in all color services and deep conditioners in all haircuts. I offer styling (iron work & braids) facial waxing, eyebrow tinting. And Keratin Complex smoothing treatments.
Vivids are kind of your jam. What made you want to do vivid hair color?
I love any sort of drastic transformation, whether it’s cutting or coloring. To me vivids make the loudest statement of them all. I’ve always loved the look of vibrant colors and had them myself. Self expression has always been important to me love along with creativity and art in general. This may sound silly but I grew up in the MySpace era and having vibrant alternative hair was a calling card – a lot of us were into the same music, style, shows & shenanigans. I love the type of clientele vivids attract; fearless, unbothered by opinions of their appearance and accepting of everyone. It’s come full circle for me because much like back in the day these clients and I bond over common interests.
What colors have you had yourself?
I have had every color you could think of!
Some I did myself, some by other very talented artists.
What are the different types of hair color one can do?
There are so many different names for different techniques these days. Traditionally you can do an all over color, grey blending with highlights or permanent color, a glaze to add shine, neutralize unwanted tones or add darker tones, highlights/lowlights and of course vivids!
When someone is doing vivid hair color, what are some things that you like to tell them to help make their decision?
I would let them know vivids fade the fastest and in order to maintain them becomes your job at home with aftercare! The less washing the better – make dry shampoo your best friend! Cold water and color safe shampoo when washing helps prevent fading as well. There are also times when the way vivids fade can be unpredictable – the don’t always completely lift out of the hair as easily as they fade so understanding that it will be a process switch colors or go back to a more natural one as well.
Why would someone be hesitant about doing so?
A couple things that come to mind:
Their lifestyle – are they needing to wash their hair everyday? For example, nurses or someone who works out every day. It can be a lengthy process – some clients don’t like to sit that long so I always let them know ahead of time.
Clients who highlights their hair blonde and wants a few pops of color that could potentially bleed into the rest of the hair in which case tape in extensions would be more suitable.
What are some frequently asked questions about vivid hair color?
How long do they last?
what certain colors will end up fading like? What does maintenance look like?
Is it damaging or hard to switch it up?
What are your tips for those who have vivid hair for maintaining it?
The first and most loathed tip is washing in cold water. Dry shampoo, washing a maximum of twice a week, a color safe shampoo conditioner and heat protectant from a certified salon retailer. If you use heat on your hair without a protectant you can literally burn your brand new beautiful color out of your hair! Protein treatments are also great – protein molecules attract color molecules so the more protein the better your hair absorbs and retains color!
If someone wants you to do their hair, what would be the best way to get in touch with you?
My number is the best way! It is 1 (860) 259-4580.
thenutmegmillennial.com 