It’s that time of the year again when the world’s greatest in the beauty and fashion worlds are currently pouring their creative souls into numerous fashion week shows. Now that we have New York, London, and Milan S/S ’23 Fashion Week in our review mirror, we’re getting a pretty good sense of what the spring hair trend inspiration will be like for next season. While the experimental hair looks are always thumb-stoppers on your social feeds, it’s the hairstyles that actually translate to real life that pique our interest the most.
“Designers and stylists have pushed my work into directions that I never thought possible.”
Arguably, no one masters the art of wearable, effortless looks than hairstylist Anthony Turner who — season after season — has been a staple behind the scenes at Fashion Week in the States and abroad. Perhaps it’s because his skills come so naturally: “I think [hairsytling] chose me, to be honest. I never chose to become a hairstylist. I was paying my way through college and needed the extra cash, so I applied for an assistant position in my local salon with absolutely no intention of wanting to be a hairstylist at all. The rest is history as I ended up becoming obsessed with it, and I quit my college course, and here we are,” he says.
Collaborating with leading designers has always been a part of the process that never gets old for Turner. “I love that you never know which direction you will be led into until you step into the room with them. Sometimes I can try and hazard a guess, but more often than not, I can be totally surprised and I love this. Designers and stylists have pushed my work into directions that I never thought possible,” he says.
Below, Turner carved out some time for us between shows to talk about how to translate those amazing runway hairstyles into your everyday look, his favorite products for healthy hair, and backstage tricks to help you become a hair multitasker.
What’s your advice when readers see runway hair and aren’t sure how to translate that to real life?
Take elements of what you see and adapt them to suit you. Take inspiration and have fun with it, but whatever you do, try not to feel alienated by it. On the runway, we are trying to conjure a narrative. But there are always elements of what we do that can be adapted to real life.
Your signature approach has been to make hair feel effortless and not overly technical. How do you make hair look more “lived-in” and natural?
I think It’s about not trying too hard and embracing mistakes. Imperfect hair has personality, and that’s what I love. Normally the quicker I do something, the better it looks because I don’t allow myself too much time to think about it.
What are your ultimate tips for healthy hair?
Get regular trims and pull back on overly processing your hair too often. Be kind to your hair. Give your hair a “hug” regularly with moisturizing hair treatments and products rich in vitamin B. I personally love Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector.
What’s your favorite way to add natural-looking volume to your roots?
A good texture spray — the Hair by Sam McKnight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist is great! A little on the roots in the areas that require the volume and backcomb slightly with a brush
How do you deal with hair that feels “stressed-out” and overworked? How do you quickly revitalize unhealthy hair?
Give your hair a rest! Try going a few days or even a week without using any heat on your hair at all. Try using the Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner to breathe life into tired hair.
What are a few products or tools that you always have on hand for touch-ups?
A good dry shampoo, for sure! And a Mason Pearson brush.
What products do you like to use to protect hair from heat styling?
It’s very important, especially for overly processed hair. Try Nanoil Heat Protecting Spray on damp hair before styling.
Are there any unconventional ways you use beauty products?
Keep a toothbrush handy for edges and flyaways. Also, you can never go wrong with a simple black headband to take your hair from a day look to a chic evening look in one fell swoop.
What’s your favorite way/product to remove build-up from the scalp/hair?
A hair treatment containing tea tree oil will help oxygen circulate the scalp eliminating dry build-up.
What’s one of your best memories from working in this industry that you keep with you?
I think working on the Alexander McQueen shows when I worked for Guido [Palau] and also the first time I saw a campaign that I’d worked on for Calvin Klein on the screens of Time Square in New York City.
What’s been a surprising source of inspiration for you? Perhaps you have a favorite era of hair or you have a muse?
My home town. Very very working class but very charming and real. People don’t always get it right, and it’s that which I love about it.
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