Redken Canada has named its 2022 winner for its Canada’s Next Top Stylist contest.
The photo-based competition invited hairstylists to create a hairstyle on a client or themselves using Redken products, and post a photo or video of it on social media with the hashtag #CNTS2022.
The grand prize winner is Alyssa Torgerson from Winnipeg, who will be receiving a national-winning trophy, digital end cap feature in all stores and promotion within Redken’s 5th Avenue feed.
We spoke with Torgerson about the winning look and what inspired its creation.
For the Winnipeg-based hairstylist and colourist, her passion for hair started very early on in her life. “I would always take my friends’ barbies home or play with my own and do their hair, whether that be detangling them, braiding them or things like that,” says Torgerson. “From there, I started experimenting on my own hair and then it wasn’t until I was about 28 when I finally went to hair school. I just started to throw myself out there and try new things and now I’m here.”
Working in the industry for six years now, Torgerson says she decided to start entering photo-based competitions as a way to share her work with the world. “I feel like I have a lot to offer and show,” she says. “I consider my Instagram account as my portfolio that I can share with the world. Because I don’t have a huge following, I thought that would make it hard to enter and win contests, but I just decided to put myself out there and start entering.”
After participating and winning regionally in a past Redken Canada’s Next Top Stylist contest, Torgerson decided to enter for a second time. “I entered the contest last year or two years ago and won the Manitoba category so it’s exciting to be the national winner this year,” she says. “I remembered that I had created a bridal trial updo using some Redken products and I thought it would be a good one to enter.”
For her winning look, Torgerson was inspired by her bridal client who wanted a look that had a whimsical, fairy tale vibe that was light and airy. To create the look, Torgerson began with Redken’s Root-Lifter All-Day Full Body & Volume Spray Foam on the client’s roots and added a coat of Redken’s 28 High Hold Control Hairspray all over the hair before curling it for added texture.
“I started at the crown and made a ponytail in the back,” she says. “I was using a Topsy Tail Tool to loop the hair while pulling out pieces to make it bubbly, and adding a texture paste to smooth out the hair. At the end, I used Redken’s hairspray again and a rattail comb to detail the little extra pieces that were sticking out, as well as to lift the hair on the top and the crown for added volume.” To finish off the look, Torgerson used a small paint brush to apply the gold glitter to tie the look together.
“What I like most about Redken is the variety of products,” she adds. “Having products for different hair needs and types is one of the things I like most.”
PRO TIP: Once you’ve completed styling your client’s hair, Torgerson recommends using a tail comb or oiling your hands before touching the hair again to help reduce flyaways.
While bridal hair is something that Torgerson has always had an interest in, she has recently decided to pursue it more. “When weddings started back up again after the pandemic restrictions were lifted, I realized that there was a whole new world of clients out there,” she says. “I was good at bridal hair when I was in school, so I decided to just go for it. Once I put my name out there, it really worked and in 2021 and 2022 I was doing back-to-back weddings and had a lot of them booked.”
“I would say my biggest tip when it comes to bridal hair, and finishing hairstyles in general, is to not fuss over the look too much,” she adds. “Don’t overthink it. See the look to the end, but don’t try to make it too perfect because sometimes those imperfections can make the hair look better.”
Torgerson says her Redken Canada’s Next Top Stylist win is continuing to motivate her to showcase her work. “I definitely want to keep putting myself out there, try new things, and do more creative photo shoots,” she says. “My goal is to always be more creative, which is something I want to do more often.”
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