2019 IBI Awards Finalist Best Men’s cut & style “Midnight Noir”

Since my days at beauty school, I have always enjoyed designing and coloring men’s hair. When it came to photoshoots I understood the vital role for not only woman but men to have exciting, beautiful hair that is relevant to the theme or concept. I always loved photoshoots that took the boundries of hair outside of just styling and actually cutting and coloring the model’s real hair.

Image by Genna Yussman Greene was named a finalist by the IBI 2019 Awards

I had an amazing vision for a men’s collection featuring an all white backdrop, white curtains and white mannequins. Some of the mannequins would be replaced with real male models but dressed in all black for extreme contrast. I shared my vision with photographer, Genna Yussman Greene of Absolute Studio and she loved the idea. She sent me online links to purchase the white curtains and white mannequin that was used for the collection.

For wardrobe I booked, Gunnar Deatherage and Isidro Valencia for Make up. I booked three local models that were open to idea of hair changes and liked my concept, David Farsetti, Jordan Estep and Connor Hessler.

This collection required two days; the first was was model prep. I scheduled all three models at different intervals. I focused more attention to the hair cutting using clippers, trimmers, shears and razors. To keep color simple, I chose to color each models hair dark. I used Redken’s Shades EQ glosses in different ratios of 01ab, 03n and 03v.

Jordan’s cut was the shortest. I clipper his hair, including his hairline. I also did lots of etching on his side using trimmers. I really liked the drama of his transformation. I went really dark with his color like David’s hair. To combat the course texture of Jordan’s hair. I used Hardware Gel 16 mixed with Argan 6 oil, high heat from the hairdryer and a Denman brush. Afterwards I used a small iron and Iron Shape 11 to further smooth his hair. Lastly I used Water Wax 03 to lightly mold his hair and to enhance overall shine.

For David, I wanted a heavy fringe with a heavy weight line to build shape. I liked the drama with the fringe I cut on him. Going darker really brought out his eye color and soften the yellow undertones in his skin. I used Redken’s Thickening Lotion 06 with a Denman brush and hair dryer to enhance shine and built some volume.

For Connor’s hair I chose a darkest brown for his hair color using the Shades EQ. I went really dramatic with gemometic lines on his sides with minimal texturizing on his crown. I used Redken’s Full Frame 07 with Denman brush and hairdryer. I used a little Rough Paste 12 to bring out some texture in his hair after blow drying.

Prep day lasted about seven hours. The following day was one of the coldest in December prior to shooting before Christmas. It was also the last photoshoot with Gunnar Deatherage before he relocated to Los Angeles as well as one of our first collections from Absolute Studio. We spent about 8 hours the entire day. Models took about two hours each to complete hairstyling, make up and wardrobe.

We completed two look on each mode that consisted of slightly different hairstyling and different wardrobe. Isidro created a sultry look with a smoky eye, contoured cheeks and faux facial piercings from Gunnar.

tools of the trade **I love Sam Villa Shears

Genna Photographed and edited this collection that was published in the Spring 2019 issue of Obscurae Magazine. In addition, one of the images was named a 2019 finalist by the International Beauty Industry Awards (IBI Awards).