“Modeling can be really taxing on your skin. Do you have any tips for great skin and hair?” When I have free time I’ll just wear no makeup and I won’t even blow dry my hair because it needs a break. Haircare-wise, I’m really obsessed with Kevin Murphy’s products. I’ll also always do a hydrating mask when I travel and drink a lot of water. On my skin I try to use as many natural products as possible. There’s this oil that I really like for my skin called Marula Oil from South Africa, it’s from a nut I believe. I’ll also do a little bit of Le Mer from time to time.

read the rest of the article at Vogue Australia

WHAT MAKES WHIMSY UNIQUE?

Whimsy Salon & Garden is an upscale, custom built salon & boutique located in South Redondo Beach, CA.  Known for its rustic, at-home feel and personal touches by owners Mark & Keli Murphy, Whimsy Salon & Garden offers a unique salon experience in a beautiful, down-to-earth and relaxing environment.  Clients can browse the boutique, escape to the outdoor garden and enjoy the long lost art of service.  The total experience is a priority and that has clients walking away feeling as good as they look!  Whimsy Salon also hosts in-house education, fundraisers and special events.

 WHAT ARE YOUR BEST SELLING KM PRODUCTS?

BODY.BUILDER, ANTI.GRAVITY.SPRAY, HYDRATE-ME.WASH & RINSE and EASY.RIDER

 WHAT IS THE AVERAGE WHIMSY CUSTOMER LIKE?

We are a beach community and that provides a great mix of clients.  I’d like to say we have a little bit of everything!!!  Whimsy customers are loyal.  The majority of them have found us by referrals/word of mouth.

 WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY TOWARD RETAILING PRODUCTS?

I think of retail as prescribing products to our clients instead of selling!  They look to us, the experts, to tell them what they need!  It’s our job to talk about the products and educate on how to use them.  Our passion and belief in the line transfers over to our clients and ultimately is what sells it!

 WHAT IS THE SALONS INDUSTRY’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE?

Diversion and the information age.

I love Kevin Murphy in that he stands behind being exclusive and has a team that is on top of it!  We are a rapid growing industry with so much access, I find comfort in being a part of this line…knowing I am up to date with current styles, trends and products.  Just when our clients think they are the expert from what they can see and get online, with KM I feel I am always a step ahead!

 WHAT IS THE BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO OTHER SALON OWNERS?

Stay true to your vision.  Embrace how your business evolves and grows within that vision.  Above all, keep things moving in a positive direction.  “Coming together is a beginning…Keeping together is progress…Working together is a success!”  (Henry Ford)

Read more at Allure

Chris Pine styled for the cover of C for Men by David Cox

Catch the travel bug, personalize your travel with this pick and pack trio of your choice! KM.TRAVEL is back with a new bag, which is on the house after picking three products from the following options; ANGEL.WASH & RINSE, ANTI.GRAVITY, HYDRATE-ME.WASH & RINSE, & MOTION.LOTION. Don’t worry about taking this on the plane, all bottles are 100ML!

We have seen the amazing looks Kevin Murphy creates for fashion magazines around the world. Like the beautiful images from the Africa story where he traveled to a remote region of the Kalahari desert for a shoot with Vogue Magazine.

Have you ever wondered “How did he do that?”

On the 14th of April, 2013, 500 guests got to find out how when they attended a live photo shoot with Kevin Murphy when he took part in the Seattle Trifecta show hosted by Salon Services.

During the demonstration Kevin talked about his inspiration for the styles and gave tips on how to achieve the looks.

This all access, no hidden secrets, everything in plain sight, format to a live photo shoot allowed viewers unprecedented access to the collaborative process Kevin Murphy goes through in creating his beautiful editorial work.

The live shoot was photographed by me (American photographer Luis Montero,)  styled by Laura Tiozzo, and the gorgeous makeup was created by Sara Rorvig.

All the behind the scene photos courtesy of Jerry and Lois Photography.

THE LOOKS!

Here’s are all the final images we created during the show!

Two of Australia’s revered brands in fashion and beauty – KEVIN.MURPHY and Serpent & the Swan – joined forces for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) Spring Summer 2013/14 this morning to deliver a unique sensory installation.

As the official Hair Partner, Glow Salon for KEVIN.MURPHY was responsible for crafting a series of styles to compliment Serpent & the Swan’s distinctive ‘animal kingdom’ inspired pieces – a theme that was paralleled in the striking artistic direction of the installation show. Hair Director Kim Rattenbury for Glow Salon and KEVIN.MURPHY explains that like the collection, the hair vision drew inspiration from botanical plants, insect dissection and anatomical drawings of teeth.

“Each of these inspirations represent the idea of growth and the inherent relationship between plant and human life cycles which were reflected in the installation”, says Rattenbury. The unique, handcrafted, animal-inspired trimmings that were featured throughout the pieces on show were also paralleled in the hair styles. “It’s all about detail when it comes to this striking collection so we ensured the hair very much reflected this ethos through its silhouettes and shapes”, says Rattenbury.

How to get the Look

- Section the hair horizontally from ear to ear and secure the back (bottom) half out of the way with a clip

- Apply KEVIN.MURPHY STAYING.ALIVE followed by YOUNG.AGAIN to dampen the hair

- Using a tail comb, comb the hair back away from face

- Weave out fine sections and crisscross over each other in a basket weave formation keeping the tension tight so it sits flat on the head, following the head shape towards the nape (note: you’ll need a second person for this step!)

- When you reach the back section behind the ears, cross the sides over and secure in a pony tail at the nape of the neck

- Release the back section and flat iron straight

- Finish with KEVIN.MURPHY SESSION.SPRAY

Credit : Kim Rattenbury @ Glow Hair Sydney for Kevin.Murphy