Hello VAIN Blog readers, and welcome to the debut post of our VAIN Hair + Style Interview series! Each month we’ll sit down with a stylish VAIN hairstylist, staff member, client or other FOV (Friend Of VAIN) and get their take on hair and personal style.
First up is VAIN front desk superstar Courtney, who, in between booking VAIN appointments and generally being a salon operations ninja, likes to switch up her hair cut and color. A lot. Any visit to the photos from our VAIN Mirror digital photobooth will show you what we mean.
Here’s Courtney, DIY mistress, Cut and Color Chameleon, and Woman of Many Do’s, in her own words:
Describe your personal style in 6 words or less.
The result of following my whims.
What are your style influences?
There are so many, really! I can be influenced by anything: nature, art, architecture, books/comics/manga, anime and video games, music, street fashion from around the world…I could really go on and on, but you get the idea.
What style staples can’t you live without?
Honestly? Comfy undies that don’t ride up, a correctly-fitted bra and black socks… but I know I should say something more like: my Italian leather boots, a superior quality basic tee, comfy well-fitting, form-flattering jeans, the perfect leather jacket (AllSaints what?! Soon to be mine, oh YES!!) and my latest hair cut/color.
How does your hair influence your style or vice-versa?
Compared to my adventures in DIY hair-land my clothing style is pretty tame these days. I used to really fancy it up but these days I am a jeans and tee-shirt kind of girl. In terms of clothing I do tend towards a lot of black and neutrals, whereas my hair colors tend to be anything but.
What have been your favorite hairstyles and why?
I really have loved them all. I have especially loved my myriad extreme asymmetric bobs and short cuts and more recently my foray into periwinkle territory.
Describe the first time you took a big chance/made a big change with your look.
I was probably 7 or 8 years old. I absolutely hated having to “fix my hair” for school, which usually involved a lot of brushing and tugging and pulling of my hair into a tight high pony-tail or french braid by my mother. I had had enough! I finally asked my mother to take me to a salon, this was maybe even my first real salon experience, and told them I wanted to look like Annie Lennox (of the early Eurythmics days. You know, the screaming red-orange buzzcut). I got made fun of in school the next day but didn’t care; I was FREE and I’ve never looked back!
Best hair of all time?
Oh…Oh geez. Depends on what day you’re asking! Right now I’m leaning towards Motoko Kusanagi (from the manga, not so much the movie or series), Kei of The Dirty Pair (either Haruka Takachiho’s orginal OR Adam Warren’s version), or Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII. I simply cannot choose one and were you to ask me again next week my answer would probably be different!
How does working at the VAIN influence or inspire your approach to style and hair?
I love working in an environment that embraces change as a natural, positive thing. Since I know that I always have VAIN’s support and encouragement to be true to myself, I am more inspired and empowered to go with what feels good to me at the time and to take more “style risks.” Plus, you know, we happen to have a very vibrant and diverse clientele and an amazingly talented group of stylists who also inspire me with their own styles. I do most of my own color but my best cuts are purely VAIN talent! Such good vibes on so many levels!
Where do you shop for clothes and accessories?
Hm, lots of places! I love a good thrift but definitely can’t downplay the joy of finding and buying something sparkly and modern and brand-spanking-new. (I think that was a fairly good way to evade that question!)
Any stories of great shopping scores?
Soon!! My amazing man of a husband is purchasing for me the aforementioned divinely delicious leather jacket from AllSaints in honor of our first year anniversary. Long have I pined after a leather jacket of my very own. Since I could walk, basically. Mmmhmm….I can’t wait!
What’s your advice to anyone in a hair + style rut?
Look somewhere you haven’t before for inspiration, then JUST GO FOR IT!! Seriously! It’s hair, it grows back! Take a risk, try something new.
Looking to explore your own personal style with a new haircut, color, or DIY style? Give us a call at VAIN- 206.441.3441 downtown or 206.706.2707 in Ballard. Who knows- Courtney herself might be the one who takes your call.
I luuuuuuuurv miss Courtney and her ever-evolving hair, not to mention her devotion to all things nerdy. It’s good to know I’m not the only one with a “secret” crush on Lightning from FFXIII.