Hair Raising Weekend

Here are three of my friends that I worked with in the Redken Hairshow
this year, as well as show's in the past too. Yes, they're all hot,
and yes they all have boyfriends. I'm the homely one in black.
This past weekend, I was privileged to model for Redken 5th Avenue again. I've modeled in their hair shows for the past 7 years now, and it has always been an amazing experience every single time I've done it.
This was their big show in WI, hosted by the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva.

*Little known fact about the Grand Geneva, it was once owned by Heff himself and was used as one of his Playboy retreats.
Though it is an immense amount of fun and it pays well, it is always a very long weekend, with very long days. The model call was held on Friday night, and the last show day is held on Monday.
(which was something that did not sit well at all with my husband so I don't know if I'll be doing any more shows)
For those of you who aren't familiar with the term "model call", it is when models and talent audition to be in the hair show or any show for that matter. Selection depends on your look, your experience, and the need stylist's have for someone with a certain hair type. Then once- or if you're picked, you have to be back there the next day at the ass crack of dawn for "Prep day".
Imagine going to a salon and having your hair done for ten hours. This is prep day. You're hair is washed, then blown dry and flat ironed. Colored and washed again. Blown dry, and more color applied. Washed again. Blown dry, flat ironed again, then cut. Cut a little more and a little more after that. Texturizing, dry cutting, asymmetrical lines, blending, point cutting, razor cutting and framing. All terminology I was clueless of before doing the hair shows.

It really is an art, hair design, and these stylists are the best in their industry. They travel around the globe educating fellow stylists about the latest "cutting" edge looks and techniques to take back to the salon with them. Then the elements of runway and theatrical performance are set in the mix for excitement and intrigue during the show.
The actual shows only last about an hour or so, but the preparation is the majority of the work.

Here's our stylist, Danny, getting Nick's hair just right, before showtime. Nick is a fireman and so they thought they'd pay homage to his honorable, heroic profession, and color and cut his hair to look like it was on fire! Very coolAnd here is the main stage we do our shows on. It's a little dark, but hundreds of stylists are in the crowd and my pal Rena, is shown on the "jumbo tron" while her stylists discuss her hair to the attentive audience.
On Sunday night, after the Redken teams have successfully completed thier first day of demonstrations, and us models are thoroughly exhausted from having our hair tugged, pulled, back combed and chemically overtreated --- there is a huge frickin' party.

This is what makes the previous two days worth while.
First of all--- stylists are raging alcoholics. C'mon, they admit it themselves. What other profession serves martinis and Bloody Mary's at 8 am for a job training seminar???
So by the time the party is going on, everyone has been drinking for the past 12 hours, so you can imagine the good times that can come from that alone.

Once Monday morning rolls around, everyone stumbles into the "salon" room either hung over or over tired...but still sporting some HOT hair. You feel as though you've known all of these people for decades, after having spent the last 3 days inseparable from your group. And we all know that when dealing with women or homosexual men, it only takes about 4 hours to get their entire life history.
But it really is great to befriend people in the hair styling industry. They're SO much fun! I always walk away with a new appreciation for culture and open mindedness -is that a real word or a ghetto word? See- culture and an open mind.

Most of the hair show stylist's also work on people that aren't necessarily professional models, as these individuals most accurately represent their everyday clients that come into the salon.
I HIGHLY suggest putting this on your to-do list if the opportunity ever presents itself to you. EVEN GUYS! They do so many great things on men, you just have to trust them. Most times, the stylists see you at your best before they've even touched your hair, you just have to give them that chance to show you how good you can be.

Don't be confused. Travis and Stephanie aren't that short, Dennis is just that tall. He's 6'8" or 6'9" and only had about 3 inches of clearance from the ceiling

All in all, it is worth the time and effort to participate in an event with such a reputable company. Redken has never done anything to my hair that I've been disappointed by. The stylists are amazing artists and the adrenaline rush you get from the stage work is insurmountable. Then to get to know them on a personal level and party with these fun loving, worldly travelers is always a mind blowing experience. Reminds me of how much I'll still never know.

So, if this was indeed my last show, it was definitely worth it.

Redken rocks!