Sometimes putting together a collection is all about experimenting and letting the creative juices flow. Alina Friesen, Contessa 26 Finalist, British Columbia Hairstylist of the Year and multiple Contessa winner, got her start in the hairstyling business at a young age and now balances her time between the salon and working on editorial and creative shoots. This collection, that plays with dark and light and different textures, came from wanting to try something different on the weekend.

Weekend play

“Being married to a photographer [Kale Friesen], we do creative shoots all the time, so I’ll say, ‘I want to try this really great look; let’s shoot this weekend.’” For Alina, this collection came together on three different days, just playing with textures and levels of volume, but it was only after all the shots were taken, she realized there was a real collection worth submitting.

Balancing act

For this look, Alina created juxtaposition between textures and length, aiming for something that was sculpted, yet not stiff, getting inspired by runway shows and fashion shoots. “I wanted to create a bit of molding in the hair where the volume was at the top, with length at the back.” To achieve this, she looked to different ways to secure the style, using bobby pins to help create the shape and a crimping tool to create that dimension and texture in the hair itself. Reaching to runway shows for inspiration, like the 1998 Alexander McQueen, which incorporated both length and texture, Friesen explains, “I my look developed from there.”

Wella Professionals Extra Volume Styling Mousse

Alina turned to this mousse to get volume and hold, while allowing her to manipulate the hair when it was dry.

Wella Professionals Oil Reflections

This luxe oil helped add shine to the look, while also helping create the definition in the shape of the hair.

Wella Professionals Stay Essential Finishing Spray

This spray fixed all of the detail work into place, from the crimped pieces to the voluminous curls. 

Unite Pro System Crimper

Alina used a crimping tool to add dimension and help her mix textures.

Contessa 26 Finalist, British Columbia Hairstylist of the Year: Alina Friesen, A Michael Levine Salon Group, Vancouver, Makeup: Kim Desautels & Jena Jacquot, Photo: Kale Friesen