image by Genna Yussman Greene/Absolute Studio

PAINTED LOVE

Matthew Tyldesley November 9, 2020

Inspiration can come from anywhere and ideas can pop randomly in my head at any given time. It was during shift doing hair where a former boss (Charles Robinson) discussed he was going to Sam’s Club to get salon cleaning supplies. I had asked him to get me some Libman cloth mop heads and he gladly obliged and he returned later that week with a three pack.

Behind the lens with Genna and on set with models, Rilley & Kimberly

I wanted to eventually do some wigs using them but they ended up staying in a closet in my hair room for almost four years. As with a lot or projects they don’t always happen immediately. Work schedules, travel, Prep time and everyone’s schedules play factors when creating photoshoots.

it was last summer that I had embarked on several creative photoshoots with Genna Yussman Greene of Absolute Studio in Louisville, Kentucky. During one of our lengthy creative phone conversation with Genna that we discussed doing a fun “colorful” photoshoot inspired by bright colors, bold textures, fantasy, graffiti art. I had been holding onto the pack of floor mops for years that I wanted to make wigs. Remembering this I couldn’t wait to tell Genna about my idea. She loved the idea and was in the process of designing a tie-dye gown for a female model. Suddenly our ideas had materialized and we started working on our designs for this project.

I spent a few weeks prepping the wigs into mops after work and on my off days. Cutting pieces from each mop unveiling fun, avant garde hairstyles. To color the wigs I used canned hair color spray in various bright colors. I overlapped the colors and made stencils from cardboard to shield over the wigs as I layered the different colors onto each piece. This was one of the few projects where I would be doing hair but would not need hairspray.

For this project we decided to book two models from out of state. We had in the past worked with Cincinnati, and Atlanta models, Kimberly Baur and Jacob Rilley. We booked hotel rooms for the models and they drove in the night before. Scheduling can sometimes be a challenge and I was not able to book any of my make up artist friends. Luckily I have experience doing make up and have watch several of my peers doing make up to know what I’m doing. This would be an opportunity to exercise my skills as both a make up artist and hairstylist.

Both models were a breeze to work with with high energy and good direction taking. Both had a career that included dance as well as several runway and hair show experience. I spent a total of three hours of prepping the models. I braided both Kimberly and Rilley’s hair up so the mops would become their hair and I could easily start working on their make up. I used various color palettes and creams using different make up brushes turning both models into colorful masterpieces.

I even had time to polish both model’s nail using various colors then all I had left to do was place their wigs on top their heads. Genna would then dress them and we used various locations at the studio. It was a very hot August day… bless both models for wearing the wigs in wardrobe in full make up. We spent a total of eight hours from start to finish. I alternated hairstyles twice as did Genna with wardrobe and she photographed them in studio and outside. We used colorful props such as marbled balloons, paint brushes and a mask.

The images turned out beautiful and was one of the last projects we got to work on before the covid shutdown. We submitted the collection during quarantine and it was published in a lovely spread in Volant Magazine in June 2020. We were so grateful for the publishing as everyone worked so hard on this project.

Genna and I miss doing photoshoots and we look forward to a time when things can return to normal. Covid has changed everything and that’s okay… as I believe down time is a way to create new ideas, to be re-inspired and to work on other projects. Above all it’s also about being happy and healthy and spending time with the ones you love. Thanks for reading and see you next time.

xoxoxo Matt

Credits

Photography/Wardrobe: Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Hair/Make Up: Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Models:

Kimberly Baur @iamkimberlybaur

Rilley Jacob @rilleyjacob

8x5x11 jpgcp.jpg — image by Genna Yussman Greene/Absolute Studio

The making of “Painted Love”

RECLAIMED

Matthew Tyldesley February 26, 2019

Great ideas and concepts can stem from anywhere. Executing the vision ones see in their mind can easily be shared with a group of people who further bring into their own artistic creativity to further bring the vision to life. One of the models, Katya Estes I had booked for a hair collection at Absolute Studio INC. We have worked together several times and she is an amazing muse to channel any look. I asked her to send me the images of which I loved and sent to our team, Genna Yussman Greene and Tony Welscher.

the perfect lighting for the perfect lip application with Bethany

I contacted make up artist, Bethany Hood to do make up. This would be one of our last collection together since she was relocating to L.A. to work on film and sets out there. She gladly agreed to come to the studio and to work on Katya’s beautiful face.

What really brought this collection to life was the wardrobe. Genna literally went to Goodwill and purchased used sleeping bags, bed sheets, part of a childs car seat, belts and unconventional items. She literally pieced and draped the fabrics on Katya into three solid looks. This is really what made this collection pop with a Goodwill “Couture” vibe.

up close of the black, asymmetrical hairstyle

For the hairstyling I created to contrasting looks that swayed to the avant grade; asymmetrical, irregular and gaudy. I basically stacked 2/3 wigs for each look on Katya’s head. I first secured her hair to her scalp with braids to created a foundation to support the wigs. I used several round hair pads to create the shape along with Kanekalon braiding hair of which I covered even more of the hair pads and pinned them into the overall shape. Once completed I took black elastic cord and tied it with no rhyme around the entire form. Redken’s Control Addict 28 hairspray was a must on set!!

Genna is prepping Katya in “Goodwill” wardrobe

for Make up, Bethany created a very clean, dewy canvas on Katya. Soft defined brows, Shimmer/highlighter brushed crossed both cheeks and eyelids. Soft warm eyeshadow with a tint of orange and a blood orange lip to complete the look.

After shooting, Images were edited by Genna and prepared for publication. You never know how long it maybe for the publication gets excepted for print from any publication but we didn’t have to wait long. Elegant Magazine eagerly accepted the collection and it was published in a 7 page fashion spread in the Nov/Dec 2018 issue. We were ecstatic about the release and grateful to Elegant Magazine.

We spent about 8 hours prepping Katya for three looks on set. Tony photographed Katya on a light grey backdrop with overhead lighting to create “Shadows”.

Life always throws obstacle in your way…The past year our team worked very hard to produce new materials for 2019. It was so good to finally be able to reveal and release some of the work we worked so hard to create and grateful to all the people involved. It’s important in life to take down time, reinvent, rebalance, reflect and celebrate all wins.

Credits

Model | Katya Estes @

Make Up | Bethany Hood @thehouseofhood

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Wardrobe | Retouch | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Photography | Tony Welscher

on set with Katya and Tony behind the lens

In memory of Tony Welscher. He would have been very proud of the work we put out and we will miss him.

BTS of Reclaimed

PHOTO FINISH 10/18

Matthew Tyldesley January 14, 2019

Lights, Camera, Hairspray, lipstick…it’s time for these models to work it for the cameras.

Photo Finish was a rousing success once again as hairstylists from around the world (This time we had attendees from Dubai and Australia) for a three day, hands on, Immersive experience executing their very own photoshoots.

Noah Hatton and I once again reconvened at The Redken Exchange in Manhattan. This time joined by fellow Redken artist, Lindsey Olson. Our program is 90% hands on experience. Attendees have theory highlighting contemporary and past photographers, along with each facilitator presenting a portfolio of their work to fuel inspiration .

By Day three we were joined by New York Photographer, Joseph Rivera and make up artists Xinxin Chang and Samantha Martinez.

Attendees work on both mannequins and real models for Alicja Models Agency in NYC on day 1 and 2. Foundation skills of basic ponytails, French and Italian twist along with marcel iron work are demoed then executed by the attendees.

By day 3 attendees will have created a vision/mood board reflecting their “brand” of hair they would want to create during their photoshoots. This allows total creative control but also keeps the photoshoot on point and allows everyone involved has a clear path to the vision set by each attendee.

We spent a total about 30 hours packed into three days of exciting, fun, educational photoshoot.

You won’t want to miss Photo Finish and we would love to have you there. Below, two optional dates for 2019:

March August

BTS Of our three day class in NYC sign up at redkensalon.com

Facilitator | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Facilitator | Lindsey Olson @lindsey.marie.olson

Facilitator | Noah Hatton @noahbhatton

Photographer | Joseph Rivera @byjoseprivera

Make Up Artist | Xinxin Wang @xinxinwang_xinxinwang

Make Up Artist | Samantha Martinez @sam.martin.beauty

Alicja Burek @alicjaevents

SHADOW & SHADE

Matthew Tyldesley December 12, 2018

I have been waiting to work with fashion photographer, Erik Branch for a while now but our schedules never permitted until this past fall when I had the opportunity to connect with him.

He asked me what I wanted to shoot and I quickly created a vision board. I contact Genna Yussman Greene for wardrobe & contacted make up artist, Rebecca Renee Rhodes.

The great thing about photoshoots are networking; I had recently worked with Rebecca on another project and asked if she would interested just as I had with model, Magon Faye that we just worked with and amazing model, Olive Flick who I’ve had the pleasure to work with a few times prior would be perfect models for this collection.

Rebecca had just won a regional make up contest so I knew she would be perfect for creating the make up on both models. She created an exaggerated winged eye with shades of orange and black, strong defined brows and dark, matte lips.

For hair I wanted to create some braids with texture. One thing I like to do sometimes for photoshoots to maximize looks, I’ll create asymmetry in the hairstyles so that both sides are different. Ideally the model can change her body position and a second look is produced. Sometimes you have to go where the model’s hair wants to go as long as its cohesive with the rest of the style. I wanted some 80’s texture so I did some “Rick Racking” (figure 8 wrap hair around a long hair pins) followed by heating up the section afterwards with the Sam Villa Sleekr iron ad allowing to cool. Once removed it creates a really cool, texture that can be brushed and backcombed. I was able to adapt the style from one look to another quickly between takes.

hairstyle profile

The above look was the final third hairstyle I had created from Olives hair. At this point the hair had been so manipulated from braiding and crimping. So I created this side look by rolling the hair over and securing with pins. I brushed out her fringe and pushed it to the side and backcombed the ends for a fashionably, disheveled look. To give a tinge of polish I placed to faux pearl hair pins and viola, Olive was ready to rock the camera.

Nothing says classy like a french twist. I created this polished french twist on Magon. First polishing her own hair and to create volume. A directional blow-dry with Redken Guts 10 and a round brush was imperative to create the shape and to create shine. I finished the look with a few textured tendrils (Which I had really played up on Olive for cohesiveness) a swooping fringe adorned and finished with a braided flower.

a painters canvas: mua Rebecca shaping the eyes of model Olive

570A1551 fn-2.jpg — Image by Erik Branch

For Magon’s next look I did a sectional, I literally created several small ponytails and knotted them together. I fishtailed the hair into a ponytail and left some tendrils around her face.

Erik photographed each model separately as we would readying the model not on set. He did some group shots with both looks as well. We spent around 8 hours prepping models and photographing the models at Erik’s victorian home studio in Louisville, KY.

The above look on Olive was created by braiding pie sections and backcombing the rest of her hair onto in a mohawk. To alter her silhouette I took the ends of the braided hair and secured them over the teased, rolled hair.

Erik created two sets. One that was traditional white with bright, clean lighting. The second one was moodier and darker with an almost black backdrop, minimal lighting and some props.

Everyone did a fantastic job on set and the final images spoke for themselves. We were so honored to get published in the November 2018 of Beau NU magazine featuring the collection in a seven page spread. Thank you Beau NU.

fun on set with Rebecca checking social and Erik behind the lens

Credits

Model | Magon Faye @model_magonfaye

Model | Olive Flick @_oliveflick (Heyman Talent Agency)

Photography | Erik Branch

Wardrobe | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Make Up | Rebecca Renee Rhodes @porcelain_kween

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

The collection featured in Beau NU Magazine

OFFICIAL BTS video “Shadow & Shade”

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

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

Shades EQ Pastel Pink N Peachy

Matthew Tyldesley January 9, 2018

So excited when a new color line is launched by Redken. Especially these new Shades EQ gloss Pastels.

My client, Karen wanted to experiment with pink hair of sorts and I had mentioned the introduction of new pastel hues by Redken in Shades EQ Glosses. — My client, **Karen** wanted to experiment with pink hair of sorts and I had mentioned the introduction of new pastel hues by **Redken in Shades EQ Glosse**s.

She was game for anything and since she was already a blonde I thought this would be a great opportunity. I decided to lighten her up just a bit so I did a foiled highlight with some heavy balayage lightening on the ends using Redken Flashlights combined with pH Bonder along with Colortrak Long foils.

After processing, treating the hair with #2 in pH Bonder and shampooing I did a flash tone at the shampoo bowl using 09T in Shades EQ Glosses.

I dried the hair then proceeded to mix up Shades EQ pastels Pink and Peach.

I applied the peach zone in her root area and alternated between pink and peach through the ends of her entire head on Colortrak Meche Strips. Processed at room temperature for 25 minutes. Shampooed and conditioned proceeded by styling.

Shades Pastels processing on Colortrak Meche

I round brushed Karen's hair with Pillow Proof Primer spray followed by Guts 10. Afterward I spiral curled the hair with the Sam Villa curling wand and Iron Shape 11. The color lasted about 4 weeks and head a beautiful, sheer rose gold finish.

Mannequins of the Mansion

Matthew Tyldesley January 2, 2018

Gunnar Deatherage is a man of many talents; Designer, Stylists, Creative Director. I was excited when he contacted me regarding hair for his upcoming fashion spread for The Voice Tribune. I was very excited as he said curly hair and the shoot would focus on a generation of wealthy, fashionable women in a huge home.

I was excited again to have the opportunity to work with make up artist, Bethany Hood and Photographer, Clay Cook would be photographing the collection. Models would be book from Heyman Talent Agency.

the entrance upon entering the Conrad Caldwell House

I think one of the best parts of this photoshoot was is the home which served as the backdrop to this collection. The Conrad Caldwell Historical Mansion with its haunting energy was rich in beauty and history with a haunting vibe to the past. I was mesmerized by the house and intrigued by it size, high ceilings and original decor.

Clay and the crew with cover spread model, Annilease

Bethany and I did hair and make up to prep the models at Gunnar's studio. For hair I prepped the models with Redken's Guts 10 for subtle volume and then I sprayed Iron Shape 11 on sections of the hair and used various curling irons. I used the new Sam Villa Curling iron on all models and on the youngest model I used the Kiss 5/8 curling wand to set the hair.

Clay Cook and his team did scouted various parts of the house to be used as backdrops to tell a story for the collection. Special lighting and test shoots were done prior to photographing the models. Special care was used when working with the actual antiques in the home which we were not allowed to move.