Carinn
“Your hair is your canvas.”
SPECIALTIES
Color of all kinds, from tame to technicolor. Curly hair specialist. Long hair of all textures. Listening! Educating clients on how to recreate looks at home. Balayage & Ombre expert.
EXPERIENCE
At VAIN since 2004. Licensed stylist since 2000
What’s your take on how hair is connected to personal style?
I believe we are always evolving and our hair is a visual reflection of that evolution. Hair can be a life marker and an outer reflection of the changes in our lives. When we look back on old photos it’s always the hair that can really takes us back. And it can be the spark to ignite the changes to come. I feel pretty intense in my desire to help people communicate who they are as well as who they want to be through their hair. Personal style doesn’t just start from the neck down!
As a senior stylist at VAIN you’re known for your incredible range of color skills. Tell us about that.
I specialize in color that makes mother nature jealous! Whether it’s subtle and sun-kissed or augmented versions of natural shades, I love helping clients find the right color or color combinations. The bright orange color I have in my hair right now is a good example of an intensified classic “red hair” shade. I love it.
You’ve been a balayage and ombre expert since BDB (Before Drew Barrymore). How have those services evolved since you started doing them?
Ombre isn’t just the dark-to-light styles we see on a lot of celebs, although those look great. I’ve done blonde to ultra blonde, red to a lighter copper, even dark purple to true red and light to dark blue. Balayage has gone “beyond blonde” and continues to be a great way to add pops of color, highlights or depth without committing your full head of hair to a look. Plus it works well for all hair textures.
You’ve continued to sharpen your skills as a hairstylist over the years. Can you tell us about that?
I think evolving as a stylist is so important. I want to be able to offer my clients a mix of skills so they get the most out of their time with me! I’ve taken advanced-level cutting classes, studied new color techniques in Europe, and am always looking ahead of trends so I’m at the top of my game.
How do you feel about clients bringing pictures in?
I love it! Pictures are a great way to create a common language when we’re talking about the look you want to achieve. “Dark blonde” can mean a lot of things; a picture will really help crystalize that for both of us and start a conversation about how it can work for you.
What advice do you have for someone who’s unhappy with their hair?
Don’t choose hair as your battle- you’ll fight it daily! Let’s find a way to enhance what you have, make it look amazing, and give you a style you can recreate at home with ease.
What’s in your hairstylist bag of tricks?
My iPod for musical inspiration, a look book of images from current and past eras, British Vogue, a diffuser (always!), curling sticks, bright pink eyeshadow to create temporary highlights in my hair when I go out, and a lot of products that work hard so I don’t have to. And hairspray! It’s the most underrated and versatile product out there. I’m bringing it back!
What is your favorite hairdo of all time?
Probably my hair in 1988. It was the perfect combination of having the right hair at the right time. It was huge and I looked like a lion. My current look is a favorite, too.
What does life outside of VAIN look like for you?
I love making jewelry, traveling, listening to music and going to live shows. I also have a hair mannequin that gets abused on a daily basis. I’m pretty much obsessed with doing hair.
