I’m excite to share with you my interview with Avon Global Stylist Advisor Tippi Shorter. 

Tippi Shorter

In 1995 Tippi headed from home town, Long Beach, California to New York City, and within a year of her move she was asked to participate in a beauty feature for Essence magazine. Tippi opened Luxe Studio in Soho, but sold the successful salon after four years to pursue other career opportunities such as styling for photo shoots, music videos and commercials. Tippi is known for taming the tresses of A-list actresses, musicians, and supermodels including Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Vanessa Williams, to name a few! And while her beauty masterpieces are seen on the covers and editorial pages of In Style and Vanity Fair, Tippi remains modest and humble saying “I am not a celebrity hairstylist. I am a hairstylist who happens to have the opportunity to work with many wonderful celebrities.”

Having been a spokesperson for Pantene and Clairol, Tippi is now working on her own hair extension line “Get Gorgeous Hair” and working hard as the newest addition to the Avon hair styling team.

In this interview Tippi talks to Marta Walsh about hair love for hair and gives expert hair styling tips. Find out what are some of this season’s hottest holiday hair trends, which hairstyles are out, and must-have beauty essentials and tools.

Marta Walsh: When did your interest in hair begin?
Tippi Shorter: My interest in hair started at a young age… my mom was an Avon Representative and always had beauty products in our house and also I was always the one to get my friends ready before school events. It wasn’t until 16 years ago that I had my big break in L.A. and my career has taken off from there.

MW: What are some of this season’s hottest holiday hair trends and how can we re-create these looks at home?
TS: This season’s style is all about simplicity… each style should take three steps or less. Some of my favorites are big sexy, volume or sleek ponies/buns:

Big, sexy volume:

- Begin this look by running Advance Techniques Volumizing Mousse by Avon through hair root to tip.
- Create soft curls by setting hair with Advance Techniques Pillow Curlers. Spray a light mist of Advance Techniques Hair Spray to ensure hair will hold curl.
- Remove the curlers from your hair. Flip hair over front of head and spray with additional hair spray to create extra volume and hold. Run fingers through hair to loosen curls for a soft finish.

Sleek ponies/bun:

- To create the perfect canvas for a defined part, start with clean, smooth hair.
- Apply Advance Techniques Dry End Serum to the ends of your hair and Advance Techniques Super Straight Smoothing Balm from root to tip. Using Advance Techniques Cushion Brush, blow dry hair straight.
- Use a comb to create a defined part on the side of the head. Pull all hair into a tight, sleek bun at the back of the neck to make the part really stand out. Spray a light mist of Advance Techniques Mirror Shine Spray to create a high-sheen finish.

MW: Which hairstyles are out?
TS: Styles that are too over-done… you’re style should look effortless and timeless!

MW: What beauty essentials and tools should everyone own?
TS: Products – I think each person should own at least one product from the Advance Techniques Moisture Sleek Collection. There are so many great multi-tasking products in this collection that are perfect for almost every hair type.

Tools – Everyone should have a great blow dryer and flatiron that you can straighten and curl with.

All products mentioned in this interview are by Avon. Visit www.avon.com for more product details.

I recently interviewed actress Brea Grant from the hit NBC science fiction series Heroes for Beauty Interviews.

Brea Grant stars as the new “hero” on the hit NBC’s science fiction series “HEROES”. The season kicked off on September 22nd with all new episodes so make sure to stop by and watch Brea Grant as she playing the character of Daphne Millbrook. Brea grant has previously appeared in an episode of Cold Case and three episodes of Friday Night Lights, and is due to play the character of “Junkie Girl” in the upcoming Max Payne film.

In this interview Brea Grant talks about how she got into acting, why was she attracted to the role of Daphne Millbrook in the hit series Heroes and what she has learned from it, shares beauty secrets, and her upcoming projects.

Marta Walsh: Why did you decide on a career in acting?
Brea Grant: As a kid, I did a lot of local theatre in Texas. When I was sort of at that crossroads of trying to decide what to do with my life, I fell back on the thing I remembered loving most – acting. So I took a few acting classes and moved to Los Angeles. Sounds simple but it was actually pretty hard.

MW: What attracted you to play the character Daphne Millbrook in the hit series Heroes?
BG: I love Heroes and I love sci-fi. I was thrilled to audition for such a cool role. I mean, who doesn’t want to play a superfast villain?

MW: What has the role in Heroes taught you as an actress?
BG: Just like any other job, you still have to work hard, study the character, and come prepared. I definitely thought I knew this character and then I’d get a new script and there’d be a whole new twist! As an actor, you have to be prepared for anything.

MW: What’s next for Brea Grant?
BG: I have a cameo on the upcoming Max Payne movie that everyone should check out. I’m also working on writing a comic book with my brother right now.

I keep my hair beautiful thanks to…

Paul Mitchell. My hair is a crazy mix of dreadlocks and regular hair so it’s hard for me to find a good shampoo. A few years ago, another girl with dreadlocks recommended just regular Paul Mitchell to me and it works wonderfully. In addition, I love the Big Sexy Hair line of spray wax. It’s the only thing that can tame my hair!

My favorite skincare products are…

Pur~lisse. They make a very light lotion with SPF in it. I wear SPF every day so I love a good lotion/SPF combo. I also love Queen Helene Apricot Scrub for keeping my skin clean after a long day of shooting.

I get my eyelashes looking long, full, and sexy using…

Intuit Beauty Enormous Lash Eyelash Enhancing Serum. The make-up artist on Heroes recommended this to me and I honestly thought it wouldn’t work. But it’s amazing! My eyelashes are fuller and longer than they have ever been.

The best lip-gloss I ever owned…

Seraph Cosmopolitan Lip Kit. Made and designed locally here in Los Angeles using organic ingredients. There are six different lip-glosses in one container that also holds a tiny mirror. And it fits in my purse!

My signature fragrance is…

I wear a perfume my friend Elizabeth bought me at a random vintage store. I have no idea what it is but it’s a beautiful light fragrance that I love.

The one beauty product you will always find in my purse is…

I know it sounds boring but usually a lip-gloss or a lip balm like Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment with an SPF in it.

My number one beauty secret is…

Getting enough sleep! If I am tired, you can see it in my skin, particularly around my eyes. My friends laugh when I go to bed super early but it works for me!

The celebrity I find most beautiful is…

Julianne Moore. Her style is very classy and she has amazing skin. Plus, I think she makes great choices on the roles she takes. She’s an amazing actress.

The city I love the most…

It’s a tie between Austin, Texas and Portland, Oregon. Both are beautiful cities that I have friends and family in.

One or two things some people may not know about me…

I have an MA in American Studies from the University of Texas.

It was great to discuss beauty secrets with Brea Grant make sure to check out her official website: www.breagrant.com  and also the official NBC Heroes site: www.nbc.com/Heroes