Welcome to the latest installment of our VAIN Hair + Style Interview series! Each month (ok, month-ish. We’re busy doing hair!) we interview a style-strong VAIN hairstylist, staff member, client or other FOV (Friend of VAIN) to get their take on hair, personal style, and what influences them.
This month we’re talking to VAIN stylist TT, who’s always taking a fresh approach to her own style expression and isn’t afraid to mix things up. What can we say- the lady’s got hair skills and style to match. TT rules.
Describe your overall style in 6 words or less.
A hodgepodge of eclectic uniqueness. Yeah!
What +/or who are your style influences?
I seem to pay homage to the 70′s a lot, even when I’m not trying to, so I would say pretty much a lot of stuff from that era. I also like to people watch and check out how other people are putting certain pieces together. I think also my kids and their carefree attitude about their style.
How does your hair influence your overall style or vice-versa?
My hair is usually ‘no muss, no fuss’ and most of the time my wardrobe is, too. If I have to spend too much time dealing with my hair or picking out an outfit then I will wind up worrying too much if everything looks good. If it gets to that point then I have to take a step back, look in the mirror and call it good…7/10 it’s good.
What have been your favorite hairstyles and why?
I’ve had some good and bad hairstyles over the past years but I would say my absolute fav was when I colored my hair bright effin’ red with an orange streak! It was right after I cut my dreads and I wanted to do something that was completely out of the box… I would get complements from strangers driving down the street while I was standing at the bus stop…it was great. Now the worst hairstyle I ever had…a jheri curl…worst thing ever, lol.
Describe the first time you took a big chance/made a big change with your hair or overall style.
That would have to be when I started my dreads. I used to do something…either color, braids, twists, something…to my hair about every 6-8 weeks, so going with a style that was pretty permanent was a big thing for me. It took me 10 years to finally decide to become a dread head because I loved being able to have the freedom of changing my hair style whenever I wanted, but right after I had my son I knew it was time to take that hair leap.
Best hair of all time?
My mom…she always had her hair ‘styled to the nines’ as they used to say. She rocked a ‘fro, braids, straight, curly, short and long. Diana Ross always had great hair…powerful hair for a powerful lady. And Portia De Rossi…her hair is always beautiful.
How does working at the VAIN influence or inspire your approach to style and hair?
The fact that I get to be myself and not having to conform to others standards is great. Everyone that is part of the VAIN beauty world has their own unique talents and creativity and the fact that it’s all encouraged is inspiring.
Scenario: you’re having a dance party. Who would be your dream guests and what would you wear?
All my friends dancing to my favorite 70′s music and I would probably wear something that no one else would think of…like a zoot suit. But I might have to get back to you on that one.
What’s your advice to anyone in a hair or style rut?
Do something small to make a change…for hair add a few low or highlights around the face, change your part from one side to the other, get bangs if you don’t have them. For style get a piece of clothing, like a blouse or scarf, in a color or pattern that you normally don’t wear, change up your wardrobe and pair different pieces together instead of always wearing them with the same thing. You don’t always have to do something crazy and drastic when you need a change. But overall have fun with it and be creative.
We agree! To learn more about TT, check out her stylist profile on VAIN.com. To book an appointment for a cut or color with her, call VAIN downtown at 206.441.3441.
