Interview with Hair Factory's Expert Celebrity Hair Stylist Cynthia Alvarez

Cynthia Alvarez

Hair Factory had the pleasure of interviewing Celebrity Hairstylist
Cynthia Alvarez at our recent photoshoot of our New York Remi hair
collection.  Based in New York City, Alvarez has worked with
celebrities such as Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Keke Palmer, Toni Braxton,
Shakira and more! Get to know the women behind the hair of your
favorite celebrities in our interview below.

1. H.F. When did your interest in hair begin?

CA: Ive always had an interest in hair since I was a child. The TV shows and music videos I watched always had an influence on the kind of hair I wanted for myself and made me want to recreate it on other women.

2. HF: Who is your biggest inspiration?
CA: My family consisted of women who loved to primp and coif their hair. I dont even think they know it , but They've really inspired me and sparked my interest in beauty.

3. HF: What was your biggest break in your professional career?
CA: The biggest break in my career was when i was chosen by Alicia Keys to be her hairstylist for her world tour.

4. HF: What are your most memorable celebrity collaborations and why?
CA: My most memorable celebrity collaborations would have to be Alicia Keys and Shakira. Ive toured worldwide with both and have spent loads of quality time with them. I have memories that will live forever embedded in my soul. Many milestones in my career have been achieved while working with them.

5. HF: How do you go about choosing a hairstyle for a celebrity? Do you have a signature hairstyle?
CA: There are many different factors that go into choosing a hairstyle for my celebrity clients. I try to take their lifestyle and personality into consideration while I'm creating the perfect style for them. I come to them with ideas and I encourage my clients to tell me what they dont like so I can come up with a look they love. Most of the time its a fusion of both our ideas.  I try to stay away from a signature style because I am so versatile, however my signature is restoring and maintaining strong, healthy hair.

6. HF: What tips can you give us to maintain hair extensions/weaves?
CA: If youre considering extensions, you should first narrow down which methods fit your lifestyle and can be easily maintained.Choosing the stylist is also an important factor. One that has experience and values the integrity of your hair is key!
The quality of hair you choose is crucial. Dont be afraid to spend money on your hair extensions as they are an investment. The quality of hair will determine how long your style will last and whether or not you can reuse the hair.
Maintain your extensions with care by using the right products. I like to recommend Ojon products because they are lightweight yet effective. You dont want a product that will weigh down.
Care for your scalp by pouring an astringent into a coloring bottle, and applying it between your tracks. This cleanses your scalp and prevents oil and product build up.

7. HF: What projects are you working on and what's next for Cynthia Alverez?
CA: My mission is to bring my haircare knowledge and expertise to the everyday woman. I truly enjoy working with celebrities and making them look fabulous and i want women to see my creations and be inspired! I want them to realize that dreams are attainable. Never stop working to improve your craft, through education and experience. Always stay on your game and Be ready to show and prove!

Look Of The Day: Keke Palmer's Sleek and Chic Topknot

Keke Palmer as seen wearing Hair Factory's NY Remi Wave at the 'Joyful Noise' Premiere.
KeKe Palmer is known for rocking flowing, waist-length tresses (find her latest favorite texture here: New York Remi Wave ), but at the recent premeire of "Joyful Noise" the starlet took her hair to new heights in a chic, messy topknot. As soon as we laid eyes on this 'do, it was love at first sight!

A topknot just might be one of the most versatile hairstyles ever. Not only does it look great on everyone, but it's easy to dress up, as evidenced by KeKe's red carpet look, or dress down for a casual weekend outing. We're also obsessed with this style because it's super easy to achieve and with proper care, can stay in place for up to a week.

Get KeKe's banging bun by following these four easy steps. Staring with flat ironed hair, create a part across the crown of your head (from the top of one ear over to the other) and separate the hair into two sections. Starting with the back section, pull the hair into a high ponytail, secure with an elastic and wind the loose hair into a bun. (If you need to add a few tracks of human hair extensions for extra fullness, feel free!)

Using the remaining front section of hair, create a center part like KeKe's and brush each side toward the back of your head. Pin most of the hair in place behind your high bun and also pin some of the hair right at the nape of your next. Make your sexy topknot go the distance by making sure to wrap in a satin scarf at night.

-By Nicole Marie Melton

For Essence Online

Get keke Palmer's Vibe Vixen Cover Look With Cynthia Alvarez

Celebrity Hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez shares with Coco + Creme on how to achieve beautiful, wavy hair just like Keke Palmer on the cover of VIBE Vixen.

1. Apply heat protecting serum to clean, dry hair.

2. Add a few rows of extensions. I prefer to use Hair Factory’s New York Remi line as they add the length and fullness that’s required for this look.

3. Starting from the back of the head, curl sections around a 1 1/2″ curling iron. Be sure to curl all sections facing the back of the head. Pin the curls so they can set and last longer.

4. Once the whole head is set and the curls have cooled off, take out the pins, shake the curls loose and flip head over.

5. My trick for sexy, voluminous hair is to rake your fingers through the hair while your head is flipped. This adds tons of volume and helps blend the curls for a seamless finish.

Once your done, spray a flexible hold hairspray and you’re ready for a night on the town.

-Coco & Creme

Actress Keke Palmer Wears Hair Factory's Newest Collection: New York Remi Select, on the cover of Vibe Vixen This Month!

Hair Factory is honoured to announce that actress Keke Palmer's rocking our newest luxury hair collection: New York Remi Select. Ms. Palmer is shown here wearing New York Remi Wave as she promotes 'Joyful Noise' on this month's cover of Vibe Vixen.

You've probably been hearing quite a lot about Keke Palmer lately, the brilliant rising star who has transformed from acclaimed child actress (of 'Akeelah And The Bee' fame) into the sophisticated film star (on a countdown for the release the film 'Joyful Noise' on January 13th, in which she stars alongside Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah).  Ms. Palmer has also let it be known that she plans to explore becoming a film producer next!

We love that Keke is an actress who takes her role as mentor seriously, partnering with the 'It's Cool To Be Smart' campaign of The Boys and Girls Club, and more recently with YWCA USA's 'Saving Our Daughters' anti-bullying initiative.

She's one to watch as she steps into the limelight this month, and keep your eye out for future billings as she sets her sights aimed straight for the top! Role model indeed!

Hello Beautiful... and We Mean YOU!

Yes beauties, we have exciting news!  Hair Factory is launching a model search for our new product collection:  NY Remi (another thing to get excited about, by the way!). Four lucky winners will be styled and photographed in Hair Factory hair, and get featured on our website and catalogue wearing our latest collection of luxury Remi hair, which is already getting rave advance reviews.

The goods: you get free hair and photos if you have what it takes to represent Hair Factory.

So give it a try!  Send your photos and contact info to hairfactorymodel@gmail.com right away.  Entry deadline: January 7. Contestants must be 18 or older.

The photoshoot will take place in New York City, travel expenses not included.

Good luck!

Make My Look Yours: Keke's Beach Waves How-to

At the 2011 BET awards, Keke Palmer showed up dressed to impress in a black and silver tube dress body-con number. To top it off, she wore her latest weave (an ombre mane in sultry beach waves ) that added to her soft glamour.  Beach waves are a simple and stylish alternative when you want a break from straight styles or just want to add some volume and definition to your hair. The best way to get this look is to purchase already textured beach waves for your next weave (such as Keke's texture in this photo).  If you are already wearing a straight weave, all is not lost.  This is a style you can acheive even if you are starting with straight hair.  Here’s all you need to know to get this look. Before you begin, make sure your hair is washed, conditioned and not weighed down with products. Then:

1. Using a 1-inch ceramic barrel curling wand, begin wrapping sections of hair onto the curling wand. The smaller your sections, the tighter your curls. If you’re not coordinated, it may take you a few tries.

2.  Once your whole head is done, gently comb out the waves a little after 5 minutes have gone by for a more natural finish. You can use a wide-tooth comb or better yet, just use your fingers for an even more natural outcome. 

3. Add a little Morrocain Oil to soften your hair and bring the ultimate sheen to it as you gently loosen and separate the curls.  Don't be afraid to scrunch them at the same time by grasping small sections of your hair (with a little bit of Morrocain Oil in the palm of your hand) and squeezing the curls to form a random natural pattern, and add a little tossle to your head of curls. 

4. Holding Mist (optional). To keep your waves in place, Nexxus Maxximum Super Hold Styling and Finishing Mist works wells and adds volume. It’s not sticky and smells delish!

5. Flexi rod your hair each night to maintain your new style. (Ladies who prefer not to use heat for this look can achieve similar waves using flexi rods.)  Alternatively, maintain your curls overnight by dividing your hair into segments, gently twisting it and pinning it up, and then wrapping it with a silk scarf before you go to sleep.  This is another way to add longevity to your wavy style.

Love the color of Keke's hair? This is simply a graduated bleach applied to dark hair (color 1B) by leaving it natural at the roots then gradually increasing the application of bleach all the way to the tips resulting in a light strawberry blond (color 27) at the tips. Maintain this on-point color treatment by using Pureology Nano Works Conditioner and don't be surprised if you never use anything else to condition your hair again - this product add will add unsurpassed softness and body to your hair- a perfect way to extend the life of your new color and deep condition it at the same time to offset any damage the chemical treatment might have done.

-With Thanks to Madame Noire

Bethann Hardison and Iman Two role - top - models tell the story of the close friendship that ties them together amid activism, fashion and exotic food

“Iman is a quiet drumroll that erupts into a volcano. Whatever she puts her mind to, she does it well.” -Bethann

                             

“Bethann was my Statue of Liberty, my guiding light, my first friend in a new world.” -Iman.

     The Wall Street Journal has dedicated a long article titled 'Model Citizens' to the story of a close friendship between two modern superwomen.
     The backdrop to the development of this special relationship is a New York restaurant, the Indochine. In this exotic cocoon in the centre of Manhattan, Bethann Hardison and Iman have met each other at 8.30pm for more than 20 years.
     Hardison is editor-at-large for Vogue Black, and since 1980 has been a seminal activist in spreading a greater range of standards of beauty throughout the fashion world – and for three decades she has kept the secrets and confidences of “Iman the African Woman”.
     The meeting that would bind them to this day happened when the inexperienced future supermodel and future Mrs Bowie found herself taking her first awkward steps – she had never worn high heels before – in the studio of Steven Burrows. That was when Imam encountered the motherly empathy of Mrs Hardison, who helped her without asking for anything in advance or exchange.
     “Bethann was my Statue of Liberty, my guiding light, my first friend in a new world” says Iman.
Together they founded the Black Girls Coalition in 1988, which would help to change the face of fashion, launching and accompanying the spectacular career of Naomi Campbell for example.
     It was only the beginning of a partnership that would lead these two women of exceptional allure, brilliant intelligence and powerful determination to blaze a trail through the world of fashion and beauty, a trail made up of a series of unique faces different in skin and facial features.
     The same two women never tire of talking and joking at a table in the Indochine, in the heart of Manhattan, once a month at 8.30pm.

-Fiorella Ruth Kibongui