REDKEN NBT 2018 Reunion

It’s been an entire year since I had won Redken’s NBT (Next Big Thing) 2017 hair color contest along with five other winners and spent an entire fun filled week together in Los Angeles. We have managed to watch each others successes through social media and stay in contact through group chats.

stepping out

I've stayed in close contact with last years winners and have watched their growth in the last year on social and group chats. We had really bonded and really wanted to spend time together.  It was a reunion and amazing two days spent with fellow Redken artists, Kyle Pinneo, Nikki Diedrich, Aundreya Shae Rich, Woodward Bartlett and Cheryl Bakke.

I arrived in sunny, Los Angeles Wednesday evening and was hosted in downtown at the Intercontinental Hotel. The interncontinental is the second tallest in LA at a grand total 70 stories high in the sky. That evening I met the 2018 winners on the rooftop bar for a cocktail.

selfie with Jaclyn

Selfie with NBT 2018 winner Brittany VanDyke

The next morning I awoke to ready for Venice Beach with my buddies. After a 45 minute Uber ride we found a restaurant on Venice Beach for brunch and bloody marys at Candle Cafe & Grill.

and were in the Uber

outside the Candle Cafe & Grill

Afterwards we layed out for three hours enjoying the sun and surf. lots of people watching and really reconnecting after a busy year. We took lots of photos and enjoy the ocean’s monstrous waves. Ate mango and watermelon from a beach vendor while lastly walking the strip and checking out the local businesses.

selfie with Kyle who is also a 2018 winner!

selfie with the group

venice beach

all smiles with Aundreya and Woodward

Afterwards we got boarded back into Uber and headed back to the hotel for a two hour rest and to ready for the big rooftop party in Beverly Hills.

it’s ladies night

with Bangstyle’s Ashlee Levitch and Lori Balsamian

We arrived in style from Uber at SIXTY Beverly Hills and entered the elevators to the private rooftop Redken/NYX party. We arrived to see our work on the walls along with video projection of everyone that attended projected on the screen above the pool. We had an exclusive cocktail menu and were served light appetizers.

this years NBT winners Karla Valenzuela & Bri-Anna Burkley

my work model: Alexis Gibson make up: Isidro valenica Photography/styling: Genna Yussman Greene

this years winner Jaclyn Harwood

with Hugo Urias

selfie with Nikki Diedrich

Selfie with Cheryl Bakke

The appetizers were not enough and we were starving so afterwards we went to Quarters for Korean BBQ.

I am so thankful to Redken and to all the artist involved and to all the cool people I got to meet. This was an amazing experience I hope to experience in the future again. Stay humble my friends.

with winner Laura Frazier

Selfie with Sam Villa

life is good…LA you been swell

Redken NBT Part IV

This day started off right with an hour tour of celebrity hair colorist, Tracey Cunningham's salon. We arrived early in Beverly Hills the home her salon, Meche. Her salon and staff were very down to earth with a cool L.A. casual vibe. I was on my best behavior but wanted to fan girl out when I noticed Mandy Moore having a blow out.

NBT winners with Tracey Cunningham

catching a word with Tracey

After the tour I was so hungry I found this cute little dinner where I devoured a cheeseburger and fries. Next we loaded for Uber and headed to the Youtube Studios in L.A.

We Love Uber

This place is so cool...lots of studios, control rooms and they even had part of the set of display that was used in the film "Alien Covenant". I had so much fun viewing all the props and the set design all while enjoying an iced green tea compliments of youtube.

Youtube art work

Cool friends potty together 

Alien set

I just had to

To end the evening on an amazing note, Redken corporate digital team invited us to dinner complete with ice cream. Thank you Redken

Redken Digital Team with NBT winners 

Redken NBT part II

The next day continued with an intimate sit down with social media influencer and fashion hair color specialist, Rebecca Taylor. We met at here studio with a live model she would later demo her signature color application there. She was so honest and candid about her humble beginnings in Florida and later moving to Los Angeles.

NBT winners with hair colorist, Rebecca Taylor and model, Darija

Rebecca told us how she was recently employed by Redken to help develop and help enhance their new fashion hair color, "City Beats" She did a pastel color application on model, Darija. She even encouraged us to get our hands dirty too.

Rebecca demoing here color application skills

Darija with the end result, pretty pastel hair color 

with Rebecca Taylor

Afterwards we all loaded in UBER and headed to the Ace Hotel for Artists Journey Experience. the whole time we were told we were in for surprise and sure enough we were. As we exited the elevator we were welcomed by Redken corporate, wine and horderves. 

welcome NBT winners Ace Hotel

Redken had prepared a special dinner for us but first we would have a class with master artist,  Jennifer Bonneteau. She did an amazing painting class with us and showed us many techniques.

Time Square painted by me

I had not painted in a while this really brought back memories. It was really tranquil to be able to sit and just paint. I am so grateful to Redken and Jennifer for this amazing experience.

so many gorgeous variations 

You can really tell each and everyone one of these hairstylists are true artists. I was amazing to see everyone's end results.

with artist, Jennifer Bonneteau 

Jennifer is an amazing person and talented artist. During dinner all of the artists talked about challenges, struggles and success on the competition and their work ethics. 

special place sitting for dinner

Redken NBT winners for Artist Experience

The ride is not over this was just the beginning. Thank goodness my memories is good and that I took lots of photos. Get ready for my next entry.....