Milk + Blush Meets... Ashley Antoine

Milk + Blush Meets... Ashley Antoine

We always have a little fangirl moment in the office when we see one of our fave hairstylists have used Milk + Blush hair extensions on a shoot. Their work is so inspiring and it’s cool to see how many different looks they can create using our sets. In our new series M+B Meets … we’re going to be sitting these guys down to get all the behind the scenes tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your everyday routine. If it’s good enough for models and celebrities, then it’s good enough for us... right? Today we’re chatting with session stylist Ashley Antoine about how she got her break in the industry and working with our fave clothing brand Pretty Little Thing. If you’re a fan of insta babe Sofia Jamora’s hair then you’ll definitely love this interview, as Ashley is the girl behind loads of her looks. Today’s she’s spilling on all the products you need and the biggest trends for the summer...   M+B: How did you get your start in the industry? Did you always want to be a hairstylist? AA: Ever since I can remember I’ve always loved styling hair. Several women in my family are such talented hairstylists and I was always inspired by them growing up. I would do my friends hair and I loved sharing tips and tricks with them to show them how to do it on themselves. I love the feeling of helping other people to feel and look their best! I started my Hairstyling career in Lafayette, Louisiana at SOHO Salon. I worked as an assistant to one of the owners for a year and half. She taught me so much, not only hair but also about working hard, always giving my all and being passionate about my work. After assisting I got my own chair and became a full time stylist and colorist. It was always my dream to move to a big city and pursue a hairstyling and makeup career. After 6 years in the salon I packed up, loaded up my car and headed to Los Angeles. I began working with a beauty agency called Meg O’Hare Beauty and was styling hair for weddings, special events, and red carpets. It was there that I was given the opportunity to work with Forever21. I had never worked on set before, much less for a huge company. It was very different than anything I had done but I learned a lot and grew so much as a hairstylist. With the help of social media I was introduced to other brands and began working with companies such as Windsor Store, Pretty Little Thing, Love Culture, and Fashion Nova.     M+B: Are there any pro tools in your kit that we could incorporate into our daily hair routines? AA: One of my favorite little tools is a gold toothbrush ($12 from amazon) that I use to smooth flyaways and get that really sleek look. It’s so good and looks super chic in your kit!   M+B: What are your top tips for using clip-in hair extensions? AA: My top tip would be taking clean partings where you will place the clips, so use a comb each time to get a really neat line. I also spray a strong hairspray and tease the hair at the root where the clip will be. This will allow the clip to attach to a little “nest” which will keep them in place and prevent them from slipping.   M+B: You work with a lot of cool brands, is it important that you’re always staying on top of trends? AA: Yes I think it’s very important to stay on top of trends but also to create your own trends. Don’t be afraid to take risks, stand out and be different!   M+B: What do you think is the biggest mistake people make with their hair? AA: A big mistake I see people make with their hair is not using heat protection! If someone is using any heat at all, they should be prepping the hair before. Some of my favorites are the Kerastase Nectar Thermique Leave-In Cream and the PUMP 300° Heat Protector.     M+B: How do you prep your clients hair for a photoshoot or red carpet? AA: I always like to prep the hair with a good blowout, whether it’s getting that va-va voom volume or a sleek straight style. Having a clean base is key to a polished style.   M+B: If you don’t have a lot of time to style a client’s hair what’s your go to look? AA: If I don’t have a lot of time I’ll usually go for a cute ponytail or a messy bun. You can really dress these styles up or down depending on the outfit and they’re really easy to create.   M+B: What do you think the biggest hair trends will be for the summer? AA: I am really loving the hair accessory craze right now! I love a cute silk scarf tied up like a headband or wrapped around a top knot bun. It’s perfect for the summer and a trend that never goes out of style.   We’re pretty obsessed with hair accessories too and will take any excuse to add to our stash. If you loved this months interview then make sure to check out the rest of the series here for loads of amazing tips.