Not many individuals get to the touch the valuable locks of mega stars Miranda Kerr, Olivia Munn, and Ariana Grande, however whenever you’re a celeb hairstylist like Josh Liu, it is simply one other day on the workplace. From working in PR to aiding hair trade icons like Chris Appleton, to now styling a number of the largest names in style, Hollywood, and music, we caught up with Josh to allow us to in on his secrets and techniques to success and the way he went from being a fan of Ariana Grande to styling her hair.
How did you get began within the magnificence trade? Did you all the time know you wished to be a hairstylist?
It’s form of a comic story—I really went to Pepperdine College for public relations as a result of I wished to be a celeb publicist or work in style publicity. So after I graduated from college, I began working as an assistant publicist at a celeb PR agency. As an assistant publicist, you e book hair, make-up, styling and many others. to your shoppers, so I grew to become uncovered to the wonder trade by means of PR and began studying who the most important artists within the trade have been.
Demi Lovato, styled by Josh Liu
What was your “large break” as a celeb hairstylist?
I don’t assume there was ever actually a “large break” maybe in my profession…it takes quite a lot of exhausting work and dedication to maneuver ahead within the trade. If I had to decide on one pivotal second, it will most likely be after I had constructed up a rapport with the hairstylists that I used to be aiding on the time, that I’d get referred to different jobs by them. you’ve reached your break, when you begin getting referred jobs and shoppers and/or sharing shoppers together with your mentors. It’s such an exquisite feeling and exquisite factor to see. I can’t wait to see my assistants have their large break. It’s an attractive cycle, to be sincere.
Who was the one key determine who bounce began your progress into the movie star hair world?
This can be a troublesome query to reply as a result of it wasn’t only one particular person. On this planet of hairstyling, you begin off aiding many hairstylists to be taught all of the methods, types and tips of the commerce. I can’t offer you one, however I’ve been so fortunate to help a number of the most superb hairstylists whose work vary from movie star to editorial to style within the hair trade from Chris Appleton, Teddy Charles, John Ruggiero, Ericka Verrett, Anna Cofone, Christian Wooden, amongst many others.
Olivia Munn, styled by Josh Liu
If I had any recommendation for an aspiring hairstylist who needs to get into movie star styling, you need to attempt to help as many various hairstylists with totally different hairstyling methods as a lot as potential so you’ll be able to be taught every little thing you probably can. You’ll be able to by no means cease studying, there are 100,000 methods to do the identical factor in hair to perform the identical or comparable appears to be like. For example, I most likely learn about 35 alternative ways to do a ponytail with extensions. When you’ve constructed belief and rapport with the hairstylists you help, they’ll ultimately refer you to shoppers and jobs.
What’s the most difficult factor about your profession?
It must be touring for lengthy intervals of time being away from household and mates, and in addition being a workaholic. I love working, as a result of I love what I do. So I all the time discover it exhausting to say no to jobs, and all the time attempt to stack up jobs and double e book myself, even after days the place I used to be working the day earlier than.
What’s the most rewarding factor?
Seeing the tip results of my craft in images, movies, pink carpet, on-stage. Nothing feels higher than seeing it in motion!
Miranda Kerr, styled by Josh Liu
We simply should ask…what was your profession development that ultimately led you to being Ariana Grande’s foremost hairstylist?
I used to be really a fan of Ariana’s lengthy earlier than I even labored along with her…like again within the Nickelodeon days! It’s all the time such an superior feat to have the opportunity work with somebody you’ve been a fan of. I used to be a hair assistant for a number of of her music movies whereas aiding one in every of her hairstylists. Shortly after, her crew had requested if I used to be obtainable to go on tour along with her. In fact, I stated sure HAH!
What’s your favorite hair development for the time being and the way can these at house obtain the look?
I like a relaxed flirty flip (inward or outward), whether or not it’s on a ponytail or simply down and flipped out. It’s tremendous straightforward to realize at house. You’ll be able to simply use your extensions to assist make your hair have extra physique/fullness. Use a 1.25 inch barrel (in case your hair is brief/doesn’t maintain curls effectively) or 1.5 inch barrel (in case your hair is lengthy/your hair holds hair effectively) curling iron and roll the ends about midway upwards horizontally on the barrel. After cooling, let it cool for about 2 minutes and brush it out. (See this look styled under.)
Who’s your favorite particular person to collaborate with within the influencer world?
My favourite influencer to collaborate with is my buddy Amber Scholl! She is my greatest buddy from school and we’ve recognized one another for therefore lengthy, and we’ve been in every others’ lives to see the beginnings of our careers to now. Additionally particular shoutout to Roxette Arisa who’s equally supportive and love collaborating along with her too!
What’s your favorite means to make use of hair extensions?
I like altering a glance dramatically utilizing hair extensions—going quick to lengthy. It’s form of an organized puzzle—getting quite a lot of hair in there to make it look actual!
What’s your recommendation for somebody who needs to start out utilizing hair extensions however doesn’t know the place to start out?
Do not be afraid, simply go for it! I all the time suggest straightforward to make use of items that contain little effort like a Halo for additional quantity and little additional size. It’s the equal to coaching wheels for extensions! As soon as they get the cling of that, I like to recommend clip ins as a result of they’re much more customizable.
It’s additionally essential to determine what you’re attempting to perform: extra quantity? Extra size? Or each? If you would like extra quantity AND extra size, you are going to want one thing with quite a lot of hair like the quantity bundle clip ins. For those who simply need extra quantity, a basic bundle clip ins will suffice.
Are you able to give us a styling secret for these at house?
When unsure, put it up or half up.
It’s a lot simpler to seem like you set extra effort in your hair, when you put it up in a pony. Depart a bang piece out, give it some texture or glossy it again or flip the ends.
Whenever you put your hair up, it’s fast and simple to only curl the hair in your pony (I like to recommend utilizing a 1 inch or 1.25 inch iron when curling a pony that’s already put up), as an alternative of feeling like it’s important to curl your complete head.
As a hairstylist, you could obtain so many hair merchandise—what’s one product that you could have always in your equipment?
This can be a robust one! It’s exhausting to decide on only one product. I’ll select one product in every class:
Scorching instruments
T3 SINGLE PASS X—it is a extensive 1.5 inch flat iron that I can do most types with: straightening, waving and curling.
Hair spray
Got2B Glued Hairspray—excessive maintain hair spray, however could be versatile when you frivolously spritz it and brush it out.
Brushes
Sheila Stotts Utility Brush—the most effective brush for detangling/brushing out types.
