Peter Lamas shares fashionable holiday hairstyle tips

By April MacIntyre Dec 8, 2010, 3:53 GMT

Peter Lamas has created a hair empire that includes an array of natural paraben and pthalate free haircare, using herbs and other natural ingredients that enhance and beautify, without toxicity.

Peter Lamas has created a hair empire that includes an array of paraben and phthalate free haircare, using herbs and other natural ingredients that enhance and beautify, without toxicity.

Lamas was 17 when he immigrated to New York City in 1961, and he continued his studies in commercial art and photography until a friend who was a hair stylist had Lamas train with him to earn extra money.

Lamas was a natural and fell in love with the creative aspect of the beauty business, and then was fortunate to train with the legendary stylist, Vidal Sassoon. 

He then went to the Henri Bendel Salon with friend, Paul Mitchell, and later collaborated with the greatest fashion photographers of the time, such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Francesco Scavullo.

Lamas then moved to the Kenneth Salon Townhouse in mid-Manhattan where celebrities like Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Diana Ross, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Gloria Vanderbilt and Faye Dunaway all became his clients.

Explaining his motivation and company ethos for Peter Lamas haircare, Lamas says, "My mother worked as a bookkeeper in a paper mill. The offices there seemed to always be covered in a thin layer of dust from the cardboard and paper formulation. My mother often wore a mask over her nose and mouth at work to keep from breathing the dust. I recall reading once, towards the end of her career, that people who worked in such places had a higher risk of developing multiple myloma (bone cancer) than the general population due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing process.  Shortly after she retired, my mother was diagnosed with terminal multiple myloma...I have read studies that show beauty salon workers, like hair stylists and nail technicians, are five times more likely to develop multiple myloma than the general public."

Lamas continued.  "And then there was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, a client for whom I did hair and frequently applied hair dye. Ms. Kennedy died too young from Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer. Her doctors have stated publicly they believe her hair dye probably contributed to causing her cancer. These experiences, and many others, were epiphanies for me. They created a personal awareness of the frightening reality that many common products especially health and beauty products which we all apply to our hair, skin, teeth and bodies -- can have devastating consequences for our long-term health. Equally alarming, I discovered that little regulation exists in the beauty industry, and that many of the products on the shelf of your local department store, beauty salon or supermarket contain irritating and harmful ingredients, even known carcinogens."

With this in mind, Lamas created a complete line of organic and natural shampoos, conditioners and styling products that complement the new resurgence in today's make-up trends and hair styles which reflect old Hollywood glamour, especially in light of the popular AMC series "Mad Men," HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" and the upcoming mini-series "The Kennedys" on History starring Katie Holmes in 2011.

Lamas shared with Monsters and Critics his stylish picks and exclusive tips for the holiday season, so that you look chic and party perfect.

Textured Pony Tail

"Apply a light texture paste, like the Chinese Herbs Styling Cream, to dry hair. Starting from the ends, working product up towards the crown. Then use fingers to rake hair into ponytail.  Secure with a hair tie. Use fingers to gently smooth down any large bumps at the crown and finish with a medium-hold hairspray like, Hold Me Thermal Styling Spray."

Chignon

"Start by putting clean, dry hair into large Velcro rollers. Set hair dryer on its mildest air setting to gently heat up hair without disturbing the rollers. Let hair cool before removing rollers. Then use fingers to break up curls to achieve loose waves. Gather hair loosely at the nape of the neck and secure with a hair tie. Separate hair into thick sections and tease each section. Use fingers to form each section into a curl and pin back using a bobby pin, gradually forming a loose bun. Finish with Hold Me Thermal Styling Spray."

Glamorous Waves

"Apply a medium-hold mousse like Volumize Me Sea Silk Styling Mouse to damp hair, concentrating on the roots. Flip head upside down and dry hair using a hair dryer, focusing on the roots to add body and definition at the crown. Then continue to dry remaining length normally. Lightly spritz Hold Me Thermal Styling Spray over length of hair, avoiding the crown area, and use a comb to create a clean side part. Gently smooth hair and separate into sections. Use a large curling iron to curl each section, coming up just to the ear. Once all sections are curled, use fingers to gently break up curls into waves. Finish with Hold Me Thermal Styling Spray to set waves."

www.peterlamas.com

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' smallscreen and people/celebrity editor who loves to snoop around in makeup trailers when she can. You can follow her on Twitter.