Milk + Blush Meets... Alex Price
We always have a fan girl moment in the office when we see one of our favourite hairstylists have used Milk + Blush hair extensions. Their work is so inspiring and it’s cool to see how many different looks they can create using our sets.
In our new series Milk + Blush Meets … we’re going to be sitting these guys down to get all the behind the scenes tricks that you can incorporate into your everyday routine. If it’s good enough for models and celebrities, then it’s good enough for us... right?
Today we’re chatting with celebrity hairstylist Alex Price. Her client list includes Cheryl, Alesha Dixon and Anastasia and she’s worked on music videos for Raye, Little Mix and Jessie J. She’s spilling her hair secrets including her most loved tools and how to give your styles maximum staying power.
M+B: How did you get your start in the industry? Did you always want to be a hairstylist?
AP: I originally wanted to work in film but through wrong career advice I started a hair and makeup course instead. I don't think anyone in the North East of England at that time understood what I wanted to do. Then I took on a summer job in a salon after I left college to earn some money, before going away to study prosthetic makeup in Manchester. I never made it though as I loved hair so much, so I moved to London instead and re-trained as a hairdresser.
M+B: What are your tips for giving hairstyles maximum staying power?
AP: When doing hair for live performances it has to stay as no one wants a hair extension flying across the stage or their curls dropping. That’s why I always make sure to secure the hair really well. I use bungees for putting in ponytails as they have loops, so they don't slip. I also cross kirby grips over the hair extension wefts to anchor them in place if it’s a particularly full-on routine and strong hairspray is my friend!
M+B: Do you have any go-to tips for using clip in hair extensions?
AP: If your hair is fine or slippy, backcomb where the clips are going to be to give added staying power. Never go too high at the back, leave at least a good inch below your crown, there is nothing worse than a weft on show.
M+B: When working with celebrities you often have to collaborate with their makeup artists, what’s that process like and how do you work towards the finished look?
AP: We always work together on the looks, so first we’ll find out what the person is wearing then we’ll talk about the hair and makeup. We often put mood boards together and chat before, as I will often prep hair extensions to take with me but if it’s a full makeup look then I like to do something simple with the hair. You want the makeup and hair to complement and not fight each other.
M+B: Are there any pro tools in your kit that we could incorporate into our daily hair routines?
AP: I absolutely love the T3 Whirl Trio, it has interchangeable sized wands for different looks and it gives the hair the best staying power. Also, if you have curly hair then the Dyson Supersonic with the diffuser attachment is a must. It gives the hair an air dried effect while keeping frizz to a minimum.
M+B: When creating red carpet looks are there any specific products or hacks that you use to make the hair look good in photographs?
AP: Be aware of your partings as they can look like bald patches! I always use the Color Wow Root Cover Up to fill them in as a camera flash will pick up any scalp showing through. Also, be aware that messy hair can read very messy in a red carpet look, so I would leave those for a photoshoot when you have more control.
M+B: Name 3 hair products you couldn’t do your job without…
AP: The Aveda Phomollient mousse smells amazing and it’s great to apply before styling to prep the hair. I also love the L’Oreal Pro Tecni.ART Pli Shaper which gives your hair loads of staying power and works for all hairstyles. It’s all about the prep for me if you want something to stay. Lastly, the Sam McKnight Texture Mist is the best for giving the hair a matte texture and for spraying on your roots to add some grip for your hair extensions.
M+B: Instagram has become such a big part of the industry, what advice would you give to stylists who want to get more work from their social media pages?
AP: I have always stayed true to myself and have only posted things I like as I’m aware that it doesn’t go away once it’s out there. It all used to be based on your book and website but I feel like clients look at your Instagram now instead to see your work. I have to confess, I'm pretty bad at my socials as I'm mega busy so I don't get much time to actually sit down and do it. I must try harder next year!
M+B: What do you think the biggest hair trends will be for the winter?
AP: I think fringes are coming back massively, whether it’s a committed short fringe or a soft 70s one. There is a 70s influence around at the moment which I absolutely love, I would happily float around in a kaftan with a pair of platforms and a soft 70s do.
