Iles Formula Hair Talk with Christa Thomas from Revery Salon
This week we are excited to share our Iles Formula Hair Talk Featuring Christa Thomas from Revery Salon. Christa is the Creative Director and stylist of Revery Salon located in Mill Valley, California.
Christa picked up a pair of scissors at 8 years old and headed straight for her Barbie doll collection. After the formal training and apprenticeship, Christa headed for New York City to explore the fashion scene working as an editorial stylist for some of the industry’s top photographers in 2009. In between fashion shows, Christa built a loyal clientele in SoHo that she still maintains by traveling every 8 weeks to NYC.
Let's hear what she has to share about the hair industry as well as her favorite products and tools.
Revery Salon @reverysalon
IF: Tell us what you think is the biggest challenge in hairdressing today?
Social media has really changed the industry a lot. It’s like, now there’s a new essential skill you have to have and it has nothing to do with doing hair. Our salon is in Mill Valley, just over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Most of our new clients come to us by word-of-mouth -- which is still the best way to find anything, but when people come in because of something we’ve posted, it’s exciting! It feels like, “Oh yay! It’s working!”
IF: What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?
I love getting an out-of-the-blue text or email from a happy client days (or sometimes even weeks) after they’ve had their haircut. It’s the best! It’s so thoughtful and it really feels like you have made a connection with someone.
IF: Why did you choose the path of hairdressing and was it easy to fall into this work?
It was in my blood. My grandmother owned a salon in Pennsylvania. I didn’t really know her, but I think my Mom encouraged me to pursue my interest when she saw me cutting the hair on my Barbie dolls.
IF: If you had not made the decision to be a hairdresser what would you have been?
I love clothing and fashion but I also think my personality is suited for something in a medical field. A surgeon maybe? Who knows! I’m glad I found hairdressing. I suppose on some days it’s kind of like being a surgeon. (But with a lot less blood and student loans.)
IF: What is your greatest strength?
Listening.
IF: Your favorite hairdressing tools?
Do hands count? I rely on my sense of touch to assess a lot about hair. And I can take them anywhere! Beyond those, it’s my Mason Pearson brush and I never start a haircut without it near.
IF: Tell us about your relationship with Iles Formula. How you discovered us and which formula is your favorite?
The owner of my salon Christine Donahue found Iles Formula. She’s always looking to bring in something unique that our clientele will love. I like the Serum because it is so versatile - I love blow drying it in the hair but it also is so great for air drying. Our clients love that.
IF: What was the most challenging job you ever made?
It’s always hard to cut my partner’s hair. We are both quite particular about it. If something’s not right, I have to look at it everyday!
IF: What was your worst hair moment and why…. privately or on set/stage or in the salon?
When I was 7 years old I was given a bowl cut. When the poor hairdresser turned me around to face the mirror -- I just burst into tears! Not because of the haircut as much as the feeling of not having a choice in what was happening. I was pretty determined after that to start cutting my own hair.
IF: If you could style anyone’s hair, who would it be and why?
Patti Smith. I don’t want to change her hair, I think it’s amazing. I’m just a fan. I’ve read all her books and she seems like someone I’d connect with. I also think she wouldn’t be up for a extended pampering so we’d end the haircut early and go get a coffee!
IF: Where do you pull hair inspiration from?
People watching is super inspiring, but I also love fixing an effed up home haircut.
Figuring out how to fix it is like a puzzle and sometimes it leads to something really beautiful and unexpected.
IF: Your advice to young hairdressers starting out?
Where good shoes and take care of your body.
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