My Experience Hair Modelling

Let me put a little context into this post as I know it's quite different from my usual content. 

For my debs a year and a half ago, I wanted a very specific hairstyle and went to different hairstylists and they weren't achieving it for me until I found Steve. He did my hair perfectly just like how I wanted and I was over the moon.

Months later I get a call from Steve asking if I would model in a photo-shoot his salon was having. So, of course I jumped at the opportunity and did it! Some of the shots from the shoot are below!

 

Overall it was a really fun experience that I was very grateful to be a part of! One of the pictures even got selected to enter a competition! It was a huge honor! 

Anyway, last Tuesday I got another call from Steve. He was entering in a competition and wanted me and my hair to model for him.

Luckily, I was available and headed straight to the salon. I sat in that chair from about noon to 5:30. Everyone at the salon took very good care of me going on chocolate runs and buying me pizza towards the end! 

The competition was on Sunday so we were pretty short on time. 

After those five odd hours in the salon on that Tuesday, I went back on Friday afternoon for a touch-up and one last practice. 

I went back to the salon early Saturday morning to do some hair treatments to make sure my hair was nice and healthy and for it to be washed and blow dried for the competition which was the following day.

I then had a manicure appointment for that afternoon which my stylist arranged to ensure everything was professional and clean.

Here is a run down of the entire day:

Sunday- Competition Day 

8:30- Wake up and eat breakfast. I had myself a banana and cheese bagel. 

9:00- Get dressed. I went with comfy sweats and a tank top and zip-up hoody for accessibility.

10:00- Arrive at salon.

10:15- Start makeup.

11:30- Leave salon for venue.

12:00- Arrive at venue.

12:10- Wait while stylist is competing with other model.

1:20- Get changed into outfit.

1:25- Start hair prep which consisted of curling and crimping (and then brushed out)

*Side note: The competition was for the stylist to create an updo on a model with long natural hair (no extensions) in 25 minutes. The hair was to be down and brushed out.

2:10- Go into the prep room (where all of the models sit in order with their stylists waiting to go into the main room)

2:20- Start entering the room and setting up work station.

*Side note: the work station was much like in a salon, with a mirror and little desk area although it was regular hotel style chairs.

2:30- Competition starts

2:55- Stylists finish and have to leave the room for the models to display their work.

^^This was by far the worst part of the day. Models had to stand for 30 minutes in one position posed while various judges came to observe the hair. Photographers were taking photographs. Now, bear in mind, I'm standing in 6 inch Steve Madden pumps with my hands on my hips, shoulders back, head leaning towards to the right slightly and looking down. For. 30. Minutes. It was intense.

3:30- The judging is over and the models are escorted to the hall where the fashion show will take place later on in the day. They do a roll call and explain how the catwalk will run. 

3:45- Headshots are taken of all of the models.

4:00- Models were supposed to meet back in the prep room but my stylist, his girlfriend, other model and I lost track of time eating lunch. Whoops! 

4:45- Sat in the prep room waiting for the catwalk to start.

6:30- Catwalk begins and us models watch it unfold on a TV in the room. (Yes we were sat there waiting for over 2 hours)

7:00- My category gets called on. My stylist and I walk the runway together before he exits the stage and I take my place with the other models posing. 

Unfortunately, we did not place so my journey ended here. I was pretty disappointed for my hairstylist as I thought he did an amazing job and deserved to place if not win. I was pretty exhausted so I was looking forward to going home.

We ended up leaving at around 8:30.

So, yes, it was a loooooong day.

It was a very eye opening experience for me. I am by no means a professional model but from this experience, my perception of models have changed completely. 

We see all of the catwalks and photos and campaigns but we rarely see what actually happens behind the scenes. There is so much work involved and waiting around and working with others.

It's not as glamorous as most people would believe. That being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and would do it again. 

My favorite part of the day was the catwalk, I feel like Tyra Banks would be proud of me! 

Here are some pics from the day:

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know what you think and if you'd like more posts like this. 

You are all amazing! 

-Love, Emily xxx