Meet Celebrity Stylist Nicola Augustine

 One of the "most sought after hair extension stylists", Nicola Augustine, "The Hair Transformist", has successfully styled from CEO's to rock stars, high profiled clients around the world, using her powerful hair extension and cutting techniques to get them looking great and unbelievably natural.

Originally from Grenada, Nicola's love affair with hair was evidence early on when she routinely orchestrates hair makeovers with childhood friends. Nicola has worked in LA and New York, where she quickly established a reputation for her customized, versatile and fresh styles. Nicola has worked side by side with some of the top stylists in the business. Today, Nicola spends her time creating custom natural looking wigs, undectable hair extension, and lace front wig hair extension, and cutting hair for her fabulous clients, doing celebrity events and fashion shows, and contributing to television and video segments.

She has appeared in numerous magazines as a hair expert, writer, professional speaker and radio personality on nationally syndicated shows. Among numerous network television appearances, Nicola is continually sought after for her expertise in the world of hair and beauty, and is regularly featured in popular magazine, website and newspaper articles.

Her public presentations focus on topics from her wildly successful hair care program that she uses in her coaching work with her clients. Her work and editorial expertise has been featured in magazines such as:

Vogue, Essence, Source, Trace, Heart & Soul, MTV's Brandy Wannabe, Glow by Linda Lopez, Good Day New York.

Among her client list of top CEO's, Rock Stars, and Hollywood elite, an musical superstars notables include Alicia Keys, Roberta Flack, Mya, Faith Evans, Stevie Wonder, Qtip, Rah Digga, Ciara, actress Angela Bassett and Ben Vereen.

Nicola Augustine Braidless Extensions on Kelly Rowland

She has also worked on projects for a number of different product companies like Spartan Brands and Proline. Her work has adorned many mediums and persons.

Rather than listing all her talent she has styled, she insists, let my work speak for itself, she believes all her clients are stars.

Follow her on twitter @nicolaaugstine or visit her online at http://nicolaaugustinehair.com/

 

CELEBRITY STYLIST URSLA STEPHEN

 

About Ursula Stephen

Ursula Stephen, Celebrity Hairstylist and New Image Beauty Expert is the hairstylist of choice for many of today's high profile celebrities, including R&B recording superstar Rihanna, platinum recording artist Keyshia Cole, Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child) and America's Next Top Model Winner - Saleisha Stowers. Ursula is repeatedly requested for her expertise in "new image" hair makeovers, and for her impeccable product and styling knowledge. While her work speaks volumes for itself, Ursula has been called upon to provide expert tips and her personal "trade secrets" for many of the leading fashion and beauty publications including InStyle, Essence, Glamour, Us Weekly, In Touch, LA Times, and People Magazine - which recently named "The Rihanna Cut"; as The Most Coveted Haircut of The Year.

How to Take Care of Hair Extensions

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So you've either decided to get those extensions or you're intrigued enough about them to learn more. Well, you have come to the right place. Whether synthetic or real, all hair extensions need to be cared for properly to extend the life of them. For what people pay to lengthen their locks, keeping them around for as long as possible is very much desirable. Our goal is to help you get the most bang, or bangs, for your buck.

Let's start with the basics-shampooing. Be sure to use a rather gentle shampoo and conditioner and don't skimp on the quality. Don't ruin your hair and/or extensions by trying to save a couple of dollars on the super cheap stuff. I have read in a couple of places that some of the really high priced shampoos may actually speed up the rate at which the bonder is broken down. If you do start to have extensions falling out far before their "expiration date", take a look at your shampoo and give your stylist a call. It may be as simple to fix as using a non-conditioning shampoo or simply a different brand. Now, if your extensions are sewn in, you do not need to be as concerned about this type of reaction occurring. After your shower, feel free to dry your hair the same way you would have dried your own natural hair. I would highly recommend an ionic dryer, I personally love mine and have had many people say that they won't dry their hair with anything else.

As far as coloring your hair and extensions, plan ahead. Color your natural hair the desired color before your extensions are applied. Your stylist will then color match your extensions, whether synthetic or real, to your new color to make your purchased hair look like the real thing. Highlights can even be added by adding different colored extensions in the same randomness as highlights applied to hair pulled through a cap. If your roots need a touchup before you need to change your extensions, play it safe and leave the coloring to your stylist.

 When it comes to styling your hair it totally depends on the type of lengthener you have. If you have real hair, most of your styling tools can still be used in the same fashion. However, with some types of synthetic hair extensions, more care needs to be taken. As with everything else, talk to your stylist. He or she will be able to tell you all of the styling rules specific to your type of extension. Also, feel free to put your hair in ponytails, braids, buns and barrettes as you would have normally.

   With summer coming you will not want to miss out in dips in the pool or ocean because of your new hair. Be sure to always wear a swim cap made of latex. Carefully comb out any tangles that may be present starting from the bottom and working your way up. Once the hair has been detangled braid the hair in two braids to ensure that all of the hair is protected and tucked neatly under the cap. Following your dip, be sure to wash your hair immediately to remove any damaging chemical that may have snuck under your cap. Use your creativity and make your cap your own. Add some sparkle or bling so your swim cap shows your personality.

Now, when it is time to remove the hair extensions you can do it in a couple of different ways. The quickest way would be to cut them out, however, that would leave with quite a short do. A more preferable method, most likely, would be to let your stylist take them out. If you have synthetic locks, the area that is bonded will be heated up slightly which will loosen the glue's hold on the hair. With natural extensions a special solvent is applied to the connection which helps to release the bond. From there the ball is in your court. If everything was done properly and your natural hair and scalp is still in good condition, you may choose to have new extensions added on the same day. If there is damage to either, it would be advisable to fix the problem before adding more hair.

  I hate to sound like a broken record, or should I say a skipping CD, but talk to your stylist a lot and often to ensure a good experience with your journey into Rapunzelville. There are many things that could go wrong so do your homework and find a stylist that you know is experienced and one that you trust. I would also strongly suggest asking for references, see if you can speak to clients who have had hair extensions applied and ask to see pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words. If you look at an "after" picture and like the "before" look better-move on to another salon. Remember you are paying the salon so make them work for you!

CELEBRITY STYLIST AMOY PITTERS

A New York beauty industry veteran with over sixteen years of experience, Amoy has a passion – and natural talent – for the worlds of hair, beauty and fashion since the start of her career. Following her enrollment in beauty school immediately upon high school graduation, Amoy launched her impressive career as a sought-after hair stylist in the fashion industry, Amoy booked her career-first fashion show in Paris, styling the locks of the runway models for the Christian Dior couture collection in January 1998. There, recognizing her unparalleled skill level, Amoy was asked by the show’s production team to style the house’s legendary designer John Galliano’s own hair for his final bow. Soon after, Galliano himself began requesting Amoy as his personal hairstylist. Fashion maven Donatella Versace was next in line, after taking notice of Galliano’s newly styled locks.

From there, mentored by industry icon, Odile Gilbert – and later featured in the famed work Her Style – Amoy was in-demand worldwide, styling hair for editorials and fashion shows, and transforming the looks of supermodels, Hollywood starlets, iconic fashion designers, Grammy award-wining musicians and, of course, her everyday clients who occupied the chairs Amoy rented in various salons before opening a salon of her very own for the first time in New York City’s East Village. Now, Amoy is set to open the doors of her second beauty outpost, located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan— Amoy Couture Hair. Additionally, Amoy has produced an exclusive collection of Amoy Couture Hair products, featuring a range of hair goodies— from shampoos to conditioners, hydrating silicone serums to leave-in conditioners and curly balms.

Setting herself apart from others in the industry is Amoy’s hands-on method to developing her techniques— unlike many stylists, Amoy practices her styling techniques on herself before applying them on clients. Following such an approach allows Amoy to develop and discover new cuts, shapes and colors, ensuring that her style and vision are always evolving.

Amoy’s long list of celebrity clientele includes the likes of Naomi Campbell, Iman, Sheryl Crow, Joy Bryant, Maggie Rizer, Selita Ebanks, Rihanna, The Pussycat Dolls, Jessica White and Mary J. Blige, to name a few.