Interview With Krys Lefler Hair Stylist-At-Large Of Asheville, NC
Enjoy this information rich interview with Asheville, North Carolina based vintage, pin-up, wedding, prom and dreads hairstylist Krys Lefler. The Q&A is full of great haircare advice, professional and personal stories.
Read and pay attention so you’ll be able to give hairgasms just like Krys!
Q: Do you think going to school for hairstyling is important to excel in the business later on?
A: I believe so, while hands-on and self taught are great, cosmetology school is a tool that gives you the know-how…. also, licensed pros are trusted more.
Q: Tell a little about yourself personally and if you attended school or you are self taught hairstylist?
A: I am an art school and theatre geek, I was self-taught then, but now I am a licensed hairstylist.
Q: Did you always long to be an artist, or did you stumble upon your talent by chance? Who or what inspired you to become a hair stylist?
A: I was already doing my friends hair, all of em. when I tired of art school, it seemed organic to move there.
Q: What is your favorite or most exciting aspect about your job?
A: UPDO’S! also unique projects.
Q: What surprises you most about working as a hair stylist?
A: How little people know about their own hair and what it is capable of!
Q: Describe your “Classic Approach to Beauty.” how do you define beauty?
A: ANYTHING that makes you smile! a good haircut is lost on someone who can’t let it shine …. if someone is truly happy, it is a zen moment. all of a sudden, a farrah flip can make a woman glitter!
Q: What individual products and brands you’re “addicted” to at the moment and you use on a daily basis?
A: ooohhhhhh… my ‘list’ hmmm here goes. Short sexy hair concepts spray wax & fiber manipulator, CHI shine infusion spray (flat iron with that and tell me you don’t love your hair!) small talk by BED HEAD/TIGI… it is my leave-in/cutting lotion/detangler!, matrix volume hair spray and any sebastian shaper spray!
Q: What are some of the most basic but effective hair care tips that you have, that are really important?
A: Comb knots out with water conditioner spray bottle (80%h2o, 20% cond.) and comb from the ends to roots. I do a lot of teasing with vintage styles and use drying hair spray, so this saves hair. Also, invest in a good shampoo/conditioner. Tell your stylist your budget, and remember that pro products go further with less if your hair is wet and a dime size emulsified is all you need.
Q: What is the biggest hair care dont’s?
A: Suave, Tresemme, ( bad ph) Pantene pro-v ( leaves waxy residue) Feria hair colour ( once you do it, stay with it or cut it off… no other lightener/colour can safely break that base. flat ironing with out a protective spray. DON’T do it!
Q: Have you had an extreme, crazy or bad experience with a hair care product? If so, what happened?
A: Went to go and do highlights on a girls hair… 30v developer did not work…. Pantene build-up was so bad.. also, 13 year old girl raised by boys only had more knots and ‘dreads’ in her hair…. sigh.
Q: What do you find to be the most common mistakes women make with hair color?
A: Either going too crazy with the wrong tone or not accenting the colour… OR using box colour without consulting your original base. that will cost you more that having someone professionally do it to begin with!
Q: What’s the worst thing a woman can do to her hair?
A: Not care for it.
Q: What’s the one haircare tool you simply can’t live without?
A: ooohhhhhh a flat iron… anything can be done with it!
Q: What do you think are best/worst trends in the hair industry right now?
A: Best would be long blended layers and bobs that frame the face… worst is convincing over weight women to cut it all off… I am a chubby girl myself… it is a bad idea.
Q: Do average girl needs to splurge on high-priced hair care products, or are drugstore items are just as satisfactory?
A: As a bargain shopper, good inds can be bought at the drugstore! The VIVE line and Aussie stand out as twon ph neutural care lines. For the funky, Got 2 b is made by Schwarzkopf which is a major euro pro line… Don’t buy “salon” products though… they are usually out of date, more expensive and not guaranteed outside of a salon.
Q: Do you have any general tips/tricks for extending color between visits?
A: Colour adding/toning shampoos can be bought at sally beauty… they are semi-permanant and keep the britches on whilst waiting!
Q: Can anyone go red or do you feel that color works best with certain skin tones/hair types?
A: Well anyone CAN go red. but there are different tones to red. I am an olive toned gal who was convinced for YEARS that red was not me. But I am sporting CHI 6RR which is a deep cool-toned VIBRANT red. Also red is weird. Let a pro do it.
Q: Do you feel anyone can go blond or should the look be reserved for certain skin tones/hair types?
A: That is an extreme… I do have a soft spot for my Asian pals that go bleach blonde, but my Italian pals and Mediterranean pals should never attempt it on the DARK hair… it pulls orange…damages the hair and sometimes looks trashy, but it does depend on skin tone and hair base.
Q: Which hairstyles do you tend to do the most often? Which hairstyles are the most popular?
A: Retro and pinup/vintage are in! I love them because they are versatile!
Q: What do your clients think of you? What are some individual testimonials?
A: I had a girl tell me I was the bee’s knees, I love that… one client says I give hairgasms, the nut! I guess I induce hair crack, because I do create addicts, but I think it is because I don’t talk down to my guests. I explain everything!
Q: Would you share some of your future goals, your life motto, any words of wisdom that get you by in life and professional career?
A: Throw enough against the wall and something is bound to stick AND coffee can get anyone through a 14 look, 7 model, 8 hour shoot!
Q: What tips and advice do you have for aspiring hair stylists just starting out?
A: Take as many free seminars on products that you can! Even if you aren’t interested in the product line, a lot of the times there are hidden ‘lessons’ in there… ALSO, you learn enough to pass stateboards in hair school … involve yourself with your passion and keep learning, your real education comes after you get your license!
Here you can visit Krys’ MySpace.
This was a fascinating interview, and I feel like I need to go home and buy something to protect my hair from a flat iron immediately. Thank you for a great article!