Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons, grew up admiring the world of fashion and fantasy and from a very young age, knew that he wanted to be part of that world. Known for being a stylist to the stars and best known for styling the Kardashians, we spoke with Andrew about his hair journey.
Salon Magazine: How did you get into celebrity hairstyling and what advice would you give hairstylists who want to do more celebrity hair?
Andrew Fitzsimons: My advice would be that if you’re specifically aiming to style celebrity hair, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Although it has been a great opportunity and it has improved things like my attention to detail, when I first started out, all I knew is that I wanted to do hair. I had a passion for it and I didn’t necessarily have a mindset of wanting to do celebrity hair, it just sort of happened.
SM: How would you compare hairstyling in Europe as opposed to North America? Describe your time in Paris and how it impacted your career.
AF: Growing up in Dublin and moving to Paris at eighteen years old, it opened my eyes to the many forms of art that existed in the hair world. It’s definitely different in terms of advertising, for example. While I was in Paris, I learned a lot about the skillset required and my overall experience enabled me to grow.
SM: How has celebrity hairstyling impacted your creativity? Do you find that yourself more inspired to step outside the box?
AF: Because my work is viewed by more people on a global scale, it has definitely impacted my attention to detail and has inspired me to be more creative. As a hairstylist, you never stop learning. Part of the job is experimenting and seeing what works.
SM: Who were some of your mentors growing up and who do you look to now for inspiration?
AF: Growing up, I didn’t have specific mentors. I didn’t look up to any hairstylists in particular, but instead, gained inspiration from singers. In terms of inspiration, I think it has a lot to do with experimenting. I get a lot of questions on Instagram from people asking me what products they should use on their hair and I always tell them to try things out for themselves. Everyone’s hair is different and each product works differently for each person. The best way to find out if something works is by trying it out.
SM: How would you describe your overall hair journey? What do you hope to accomplish in the near future?
AF: I think this industry often takes away from women and puts a focus on how they’re supposed to look. As of lately, we’ve been seeing various different women and hair textures used in modeling and photography. I think every hair texture, body shape and skin tone is beautiful. In the future, I definitely want to give back to women.
SM: What are your top three favorite products to use on clients?
AF: I love the Alterna Sheer Dry Shampoo. It’s is a relatively new product, but it’s lighter than air. The whole point of dry shampoo is to keep your hair feeling clean; this product doesn’t leave your hair feeling dry and doesn’t leave any residue. The Nourishing Oil is a product which I’ve been using for years and I love because it doesn’t leave the hair feeling greasy or oily; it’s a multi-functioning product which is something I always need in my kit. I think people also really love when a product can be versatile. The Perfect Texture Spray is another product that can transform the hair with just a few sprays.
SM: What hair trends do you predict for 2018?
AF: I see long hair staying. We’ve been seeing a lot of long straight hair, but I think for 2018 we’ll be seeing long hair with more definition. I think nowadays, with such great hair extensions available on the market, it’s easy for people to change up their length. I’ve also been seeing a lot of women with buzzed hair, which I love. I see short hair coming back as well.
(Photo from Instagram)
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