The Hair Battle Royale preparations begin between 9 months to a year prior to show for a well prepared and executed performance. Countless hours of drawing out your plan and sharing with your team, shopping for hair to making hair pieces, model calls to model rehearsals, DJ mix tape listening. Hours on hours on hours.

So we fast forward to the actual day of the show. Prep time for models start at 7 a.m. You shampoo and dry hair. After this the hair is molded down in the method best suited to hold the hair design. Now its time to quick weave for your life!!! Most Hair Battle styles are fantasy, therefore, extensive weaving is key. The more outrageous the style, the greater the chance of making a lasting impression and taking home the winners trophy. After all the models have received their full head weave, its time to move the operation over to the actual venue for the show for final styling and registration.

Oooooo….The Lights, the Cameras, the Backstage Action….this is amazing!! So we have now arrived at the Georgia World Congress Center where the actual Show and Battle will take place before an audience of apprx. 5000-7500. We get registered, get our wristbands and start setting up the area where the completion of the styling will take place. The first order of business is to lay out the costumes and make the assignments for the models as to who is wearing which. Based on the costume, the styling team can design the hair to complete the vision. So now it is time to do all last minute touch ups for the props, costumes, and hair design changes. There is undoubtably going to be malfunctions, attitudes raging, negative energy from your competition, something left behind that we need, and of course the lose of a model or dancer…lol. After making it through all that,its time to perform!

The commentator announces your name, gets the crowd hyped and cues music. Walk and Walk and Walk and Walk. Turn and Turn and Turn and Turn. PERFORM!!!!!

This evening is about winning of course, but its more about achieving a career goal. All the dreaming, preparations, money spent and time invested becomes priceless when measured to pride and accomplishment.

Celebrity Hair Stylist, Tywan Williams, had his cover shoot planned for Nov. 14th and with me being a great supporter of his goals and dreams, I made preparations to be in town and at the shoot. Later on, Tywan informed me that he had scheduled a shoot with Celebrity Photographer, AL Rodriguez, and invited me to come along to style one or two models. After saying yes, I was then informed that this shoot was set to be a submission to Style-ology, a Fashion Publication. Well, we rocked the shoot. The hair was in a range from beauty to avant garde. I was floored when I received a call from Tywan, informing me that one of my hair styles was chosen for the submission for the cover.

The biggest surprise and honor of the weekend was when Tywan announced to me the concept of the cover of his first issue of Heat Magazine. The first issue will feature the Iconic Hair Team, including myself. The shoot was fun, successful and timeless. I had a blast from the beginning with styling a staff members hair, all the way through with sharing laughs and smiles on location of the shoot. This has been a weekend to remember and one that goes into my memoir book.

Check out the websites of the these two great men in Fashion. Tywan Williams ( http://tywanwilliams.com ) and Albert Rodriguez ( http://alrodriguezphotography.com )

MH: How long have you been in the beauty industry?
SH: I have been a Cosmetologist for 15 years with a progressive career in the beauty (make-up artistry) and fashion side of the industry.

MH: When did you discover your passion for make-up artistry?
SH: The defining moment for me occurred when I opened a hair book and saw “before-and-after” pictures from a make-up artist by the name of Natalie Spencer. I couldn’t believe my eyes! The transformation was incredible. Gazing into this book became a daily ritual and shortly after, I started my quest of building my make-up kit.

MH: As a MUA, what do you feel is your specialty and why?
SH: I love foundation. I spent a number of years perfecting foundation even to the neglect of other aspects of make-up application like eyes or lips. Foundation is key because I believe everyone can appreciate natural looking flawless skin.

MH: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?
SH: Sam Fine is my absolute favorite make-up artists in the world. I purchased his first book on make-up and studied it from cover to cover. It was as though the artisitic images would just magically jump off the page and into my brain, as I would analyze them for hours and hours.

MH: What are your next career goals within the beauty industry?
SH: My future goals are to continue enhancing my skills as a make-up artist. I also am working on launching a fashion shoe line for men. I am working very hard to become an icon in the fashion industry and inspire others to follow their dreams. Lastly, I am developing a concept pilot to be a fashion talk show host.

Sheldon Horton is a stylist and make-up artist at Attitudes by Moe! Hair Studios. He can be booked for your next event via email at sheldonhorton@gmail.com

The one thing that these sites do have in common, is their serachable database with the names and contact information for some key players for consideration. People such as Directors and Producers. These people can be my meal ticket, so to speak. I’ve sent out emails with my resume attached as well a few photos of my work. Hopefully, they will be well received.

I do have some television and theatre experience, having been the Key Hair Stylist for Fox 5 Atlanta (Good Day, Good Day Extra) segments as well as for theatre plays “The Woman I Am Today” and “Sista Ella”. These were great starts, yet I desire greater and know that I am capable of greater. You see, I am on a journey and will not stop until my goal is achieved and then its on to the next dream!

MH: Tell us a little about yourself?

SC: I am a neo-gospel artist based in the Metro Atlanta area, but with national presence. My vocal style and range has been compared to that of the sensational recording artist Ledisi.

MH: How did hiring me as your personal hair stylist come to be?

SC: We met on a shoot for the cover of my freshmen project, “Behold the Lamb”. The style that you created for that shoot was a fan favorite and I later called you for a red carpet event. That was almost two years ago. Boy does time fly when you are having fun!

MH: Your fans have noticed that you change your hair style from time to time. What factors go into your style decision?

SC: I like styles that are versatile and eye-catching. Mandrill, luckily you stay abreast of trends and industry innovations so that you can provide me with suggested looks, and because you are creative and participate in various hairshows and training programs, you execute all of my styles flawlessly.

MH: In regards to your hair style, are you influenced by any other celebrities style?

SC: Absolutely. I am influenced by Keri Hilson, Tamela Mann, Chrisette Michele, just to name a few.

You can learn more about this amazingly talented artist, by visiting her website . There you will also find the information to book Samantha and any news about upcoming events and concerts.
www.scardwellproductions.com

Creme of Nature w/Argan Oil is a must have for all stylist looking to take their client from ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY.

I have been using the new Exotic Oil line since the August Bronner Bros. Hair Expo. I have purposefully used it on all of my clients, making sure to include all hair types. To my liking, it was consistent across the board in silkiness, moveability and shine.

For my Natural clients, I use the Gloss & Shine Polisher for added protection from the heat. Hair is press and either wrapped of pin curled for soft curls. Finished with Gloss & Shine Mist for shine and movement.

For my Relaxed clients, I use Argan Oil Foaming & Wrap Lotion to lock in moisture and style while under the dryer. Followed up with a light amount of Argan Oil Sheen to break up the mold slightly. Style as desired and finish with Gloss & Shine Mist for added shine.

The difference to me is geared more so to other chemical treatment restraints. Meaning, if you are one that prefers lighter shades of color, then you would benefit from going natural instead of compromising the strength of your hair with the double chemical process (relaxer and high lift color). Getting relaxers applied by a professional stylist will not damage your hair and may aide in certain lifestlye choices; ie. working out, swimming.

These are a few of the questions/concerns that I address in consultations. Your style choice, color, lifestyle, whether or not the client sweats on scalp, future hair/style goals. In either case, healthy hair is certainly possible. Education is the key, and team work is the focus!