55 Secret Street : Ted Gibson

You may be able to tell by now that I lurve Ted Gibson!

Ted, along with his partner Jason Backe, a hair colorist, owns the Ted Gibson Salon in Manhattan's Flatiron district and is one of the best - and busiest - celebrity hairstylists in the business. Born in Texas and raised in a military family, Ted has styled Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, Meagan Good and Anne Hathaway to name a few and he has also worked his magic for runway shows for Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana along with countless magazine covers and editorial spreads. He is also a product developing genius, and not at all in the sense of merely placing his name on a product. Prior to opening his own salon, Ted spent seven years as Creative Director for Aveda in New York. He was asked to take on this position after he developed several amazing products for Aveda that you probably use today like the Self-Control Styling Stick, Phomollient and the Brilliant Line. Nowadays, he has his own incredible products for the hair and body, Ted Gibson Beauty.

I had the pleasure of meeting him along with several of my beauty blogger pals during New York Fashion Week and we hit it off immediately. When I saw him again during the "cut-a-thon" his salon held for Carbon Zero, he was raving about this new necklace that he got from Mantra Jewelry, designed by his friend Jessica Robinson and I wanted to make sure that you saw it. He's wearing it in the opening photo.

Nichelle Gainer: Can you give some advice for avoiding hair breakage and achieving growth? At times, there is different advice on how often you need trims and which products to use to moisturize and protect different hair textures (relaxed, texturized, natural).

Ted Gibson: I think it is important to have a trim every 6-8 weeks even if you are growing your hair out. You will notice a difference in a matter of 4 months if you do this. I think African American hair relaxed, natural or texturized needs moisture and protein. Ted Gibson products are about turning frustrations into freedom and providing products that are simple to use.

Nichelle: Tell me about how you select the ingredients for your products - like the Merlot Complex and the Wild Orchid Extract present in all of your products?

Ted: I do a lot of research on what ingredients are going to be great for what I want the hair to achieve. Merlot is because there has been so much talk about red wine and how great it is for the body why wouldn’t it be great for the hair.

Nichelle: When I told you I didn't think I could use your products because my hair is mostly natural (growing out a texturizer) you had a good laugh. There has a been a big product push in this category with a few "ground rules" like avoid sodium laurel sulfate and mineral oil and always a fervent push for products that moisturize. Which of your products would work well on natural or texturized hair?

Ted: It depends on what you want to achieve. For styling, Fix It combined with Tame It Shine Lotion will give light weight and shine control. For deep conditioning, Goodnite Replenish Hair Repair Serum and for temporary color, you can pick the appropriate shade of our individual color shampoos and conditioners.

Nichelle: How about wearing weaves? What should a woman with a weave do to maintain it well and which products should she use or avoid?

Ted: Make sure to see your stylist on a regular basis to maintain and condition your own hair and to maintain the weaved hair. If you want more information I can refer you to my weave special Nancy at my salon. She is MAJOR!!!

Nichelle: You are also famous for your Hair Sheets. The directions for the treatment and the styling sheets say to use on dry hair, but I remember you saying one (or both?) could be used as a blowdrying tool.

Ted: Yes, we use them all the time in the salon as blow-drying agents. Depending on what the hair needs. For light weight shine and UV protection use the Styling hair sheet and the Treatment hair sheet for deep conditioning.

Nichelle: What are some of your fall favorites, i.e., things you are looking forward to this fall (books, music, fashion, beauty, food & drink - anything!)

Ted: Designing my new salon locations, shopping at my favorite places, traveling to Texas, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and Thanksgiving most definitely.

Nichelle: What do you do when you're not styling hair?

Ted: Meditation, working out, watching TV, reading, listening to music, shopping. Weekend drives in the country.

I know most people think of models on the runway and hair and makeup backstage when they think of Fashion Week, but really it is an entire world. For starters, the proper name is Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (note my pictures from the Mercedes Benz Star Lounge) and there are several other sponsors like Havaianas hosting events and booths in the tents.

While New York-based beauty editors with magazines or blogs like myself attend beauty events and have meetings year-round, Fashion Week is an ideal time for out-of-town editors to have their meetings. Total Beauty has been hosting daily beauty suites throughout Fashion Week with some of the best beauty brands like Aveda and my new BFF in my head and hairstylist extraordinaire Ted Gibson. In the top photo collage with Ted are (clockwise) Lianne of The Makeup Girl, Amber of Beauty Blogging Junkie, Erika of The Makeup Bag and yours truly.

Amber and Alexa of Glossy Pink were really happy to have Ted work his magic on them, if only for a moment.

Next week, I will publish my Q&A with Ted where I quizzed him on tips for relaxed hair and a new set of shine-enhancing products he will debut in the spring.