David Evangelista says Change is the New Black

For me, change has always equated to uncertainty. Maybe that’s why I chose the career I did and why I love being a hairstylist. I can change others by simply running shears through their hair, but this requires no change on my part!

Lately however, I have been craving change. Maybe it’s the unpredictable times of the world or perhaps all the new people and travels I have had the opportunity to experience over the past year. I see change as the new black. With such an unclear economical outlook, we are now being forced to make changes—some good, some bad. I am realizing that it is how we deal with the change that will inevitably define, evolve and make us stronger, better people.

With that being said, this past July was a real epiphany for me. I decided to make drastic changes and set out to reinvent a few different aspects of my life. I was in search of greater professional and personal growth. While change is scary, it is also exciting, liberating, freeing. I began to draft up all the things I wanted to tackle in the coming year, including developing a product line, getting back on television and perhaps opening a small boutique salon space. Scary? Yes. Impossible? Never. This new internal strength has given me power, inspiration to think outside the box, and the ability to create my own path and not rely on others to dictate my destiny.

I may sound like a therapist, but hey, there is a reason hairstylists and bartenders know everyone’s life story! I believe my new outlook has inspired me to open up my mind to endless possibilities and I can’t wait for the future. Every day is a new challenge. Aside from recommending highlights or a trim, when anyone asks me what is the hottest trend this season, I tell them “CHANGE.” It fits everyone.

Hugs & Hairspray,
David Evangelista

David Evangelista is one of the nation’s leading hair, makeup and fashion experts and a respected television personality. He has been a contributor to The Early Show on CBS since 2002, bringing style, beauty, and makeover advice to millions of viewers each week. He works with high-profile personalities including Becki Newton, Julia Stiles, Eva Longoria Parker, Hillary Swank, Peyton Manning, Mandy Moore, Rita Wilson, Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, Steve Martin and Kevin Kline.

David Evangelista: An American in Paris

David in front of the Louvre

Ahhh, I love Paris. I have been all over Europe and all over the world, but would you believe this was my first trip to Paris? When I thought about how I wanted to spend my birthday months ago (no, not my 21st!), it struck me, “PARIS!” I did not hesitate to plan an October trip to celebrate my November birthday and spend some one-on-one time with the Eiffel Tower. But to my surprise, and as luck would have it, L’Oreal contacted me soon after to invite me to celebrate “100 years of L’Oreal Paris” in June. A complimentary trip to Paris with my favorite hair brands? Count me in!

This trip was awe-inspiring and life changing for me. From the moment I spotted Paris from thousands of feet above to when I stepped off the plane, I didn’t see one unattractive sight. One thing was more beautiful than the next, and there I was… J’adore Paris!

Oh, so back to the reason I was there. L’Oreal had brought together stylists from all over the globe and planned symposiums covering topics such as hairstyling, hair coloring, ways to grow a business in the beauty industry and more. Nights were filled with various activities, including a welcome night cocktail party and a spectacular hair show chronicling the 100 years L’Oreal has been in the beauty business. The last night, L’Oreal hosted a beautiful, extravagant dinner party for 5,000 hairstylists from around the world. It was incredible. I have been on television, worked with A-list celebrities, traveled all over and received five Emmy nominations, but I have never been to anything as special and unforgettable as this.

What I took most out my trip to Paris was a sense of camaraderie. I met some of the biggest and best hairstylists in the world and embraced the opportunity to make new friends, learn about other people’s careers and talk beauty. We all know hairstylists have egos (ahem!), but there were no egos here. It was so refreshing to speak to others experts in a creative manner. We shared our work experiences, our thoughts about the future of the industry and made plans to get together again as friends. It was mind-blowing to hear other stylists speaking in such an open forum, egos checked at the door. In a business where competition is no secret and we all strive to be the best and most creative, my travels quickly went from a business trip to a journey. To me, this trip signified that we are all moving in the right direction, one idea at a time.

Hugs & Hairspray,
David Evangelista

David Evangelista is one of the nation’s leading hair, makeup and fashion experts and a respected television personality. He has been a contributor to The Early Show on CBS since 2002, bringing style, beauty, and makeover advice to millions of viewers each week. He also recently opened his salon David Evangelista at Spa Chakra in New York City. He works with high-profile personalities including Becki Newton, Julia Stiles, Eva Longoria Parker, Hillary Swank, Peyton Manning, Mandy Moore, Rita Wilson, Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, Steve Martin and Kevin Kline.

David Evangelista on Making Clients Smile

Recently, my dear friend Katie Crawford asked me to do her hair for her upcoming nuptials. How could I resist? We have been friends forever, and she is the closest thing to my sister. Knowing Katie, no stone would be left unturned, and this weekend would be talked about for years to come. She spent months planning this glorious, weekend-long Southern wedding celebration (Note: The wedding party was the size of a Little League team). For whatever reason, I began to feel more excited and nervous about styling Katie for her big day than if I was styling an A-lister for a movie premiere. Maybe it was because she is such an important person in my life that on her big day, I wanted and needed for it to be perfect for her. Maybe it was because my work was going to be judged by people I have known for years and who have high expectations of me. I had to put all that aside. There was work to be done, planning to do.

After I received photos of Katie’s dresses (there were three for the wedding weekend), I carefully thought out the hairstyles that would complement each of her looks. For the Thursday night rehearsal dinner, where she wore a stunning, strapless pastel green cocktail dress, I created a straight, sleek, low-maintenance look that suited her and her dress perfectly. At Friday’s luau, where Katie wore a “Jackie-O” Pucci top and capris, I created a sixties-inspired look with waves and added extra volume at the root. For the wedding day, with Grace Kelly as my muse, the look was modern and Katie donned a very chic textured tight low chignon. Three very unique looks for a very special woman. Katie was a vision.

Throughout the weekend, she thanked me endlessly and her smile was proof that she had all the confidence in the world. There is nothing more fulfilling than making someone look and feel beautiful. Though I have been a hairstylist for years and have been nominated for five Emmys for my work in beauty, I can’t just rest on my reputation to pull me through. I need to see a client’s face to know I am succeeding at my work and life passion. No matter who it is—celeb, friend, new client, family member—my job is not finished until the client is smiling. Mission accomplished!

Hugs & Hairspray,
David Evangelista

David Evangelista is one of the nation’s leading hair, makeup and fashion experts and a respected television personality. He has been a contributor to The Early Show on CBS since 2002, bringing style, beauty, and makeover advice to millions of viewers each week. He also recently opened his salon David Evangelista at Spa Chakra in New York City. He works with high-profile personalities including Becki Newton, Julia Stiles, Eva Longoria Parker, Hillary Swank, Peyton Manning, Mandy Moore, Rita Wilson, Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, Steve Martin and Kevin Kline.

David Evangelista Talks About New Clients

Celebrity stylist David Evangelista

Let me start by saying I love my work. It is my life’s passion, and opening up a salon with my name on the door was a dream come true. But with that comes the never-ending commitment to try and make every client happy (and loyal).

Meeting clients for the first time consistently challenges me in many ways to do the best job I can and to establish a lasting relationship that is one of style and substance. I recently had a new client book a cut with me. At first glance and from her bohemian head-to-toe style, I was not sure what to expect. She was to- the-point, blunt and as direct as a person can be about what she wanted and what she didn’t. I appreciate that. She said, “Do not cut much because I will never come back to you.” She went on to tell me that she frequented celebrity stylists, but she was never happy because she always walked out with her hair chopped off. Let me preface by saying her hair was straight, no layers, never colored and to her rear end. She looked as if she lived off the land, but not in a straggly, homeless kind of way. She was naturally attractive and I could tell she embraced simplicity.

Was I being set up for failure? Why come to a celeb stylist and pay for a style when you simply want nothing but a centimeter trimmed off? It turned out that by walking her through every last motion of the scissors, I took off more than she wanted, but with “pre-communication” (talk before doing!), it became a team effort. We put very minimal layers around her face, took off a few inches from the back (big step for her!) and gave her a blowout to die for! She loved it….then brought her two kids in the following week. Whew, I passed the test and secured a new client. The bottom line: Never judge a book by its cover and communication is key!

Hugs & hairspray,
David Evangelista

David Evangelista is one of the nation’s leading hair, makeup and fashion experts and a respected television personality. He has been a contributor to The Early Show on CBS since 2002, bringing style, beauty, and makeover advice to millions of viewers each week. He also recently opened his salon David Evangelista at Cornelia (will be changing to Spa Chakra in May) in New York City. He works with high-profile personalities including Becki Newton, Julia Stiles, Eva Longoria Parker, Hillary Swank, Peyton Manning, Mandy Moore, Rita Wilson, Martha Stewart, Paula Deen, Steve Martin and Kevin Kline.

Big Names Join the American Salon Blog

You’ve probably noticed some recent changes to the design of our blog as we get ready to re-launch the site with more frequent updates and great new content. One of our most exciting new features will be regular guest blogs from some of the biggest names in the beauty industry. Stay tuned for posts from such industry legends as celebrity makeup artist Napoleon Perdis, mineral makeup pioneer Jane Iredale, top celebrity stylists and colorists such as David Evangelista, Mark Garrison, Eva Scrivo and Sam Villa, business coach Wendy Watkins — and more! They’ll be offering you an inside look into their busy lives, along with providing tips and sharing the latest trends and techniques. If you have any specific questions you’d like to ask our guest bloggers, feel free to email us at asblog@americansalonmag.com (no SPAM please!).