In Transformation, a collection featured exclusively in American Salon, editorial stylist Steve Elias plays on the theme of change. “Soft shapes with healthy shine dominate the collection, with a few more artistic hairstyles sprinkled in to embolden people to try something more daring,” he says. Elias called upon Number 4 High Performance Hair Care products to create looks in which volume reigns supreme.
For this chic updo, Elias teased and smoothed hair upward with a brush and Mighty Hair Spray. He rolled the hair into a pompadour and pinned it, finishing with Sugar Texturizing Spray.
To achieve this day-to-night ponytail, Elias sprayed damp hair with Super Comb Prep & Protect and applied Styling Foam before brushing and blow-drying hair upward and away from the face. He pulled hair into a high ponytail, sprayed it with Thermal Styling Spray and styled it with a large curling iron. He teased the hair, then set it with Mighty Hair Spray.
Elias created this sophisticated chignon by teasing and smoothing hair upward with Mighty Hair Spray. He then rolled the hair in the back into a chignon—leaving height at the top of the head—pinned the style and lightly misted it with Sugar Texturizing Spray.
For this teased-back style, Elias sprayed Super Comb Prep & Protect and then ran Styling Foam throughout strands. He blow-dried hair upward and away with a brush, and then teased hair higher in the front.
These barely-there waves with volume were created by misting hair with Thermal Styling Spray and Non Aerosol Hair Spray. Elias curled hair with a large iron and used ample Sugar Texturizing Spray, finishing by teasing the top of the hair and allowing it to naturally separate.
For this teased-on-top style, Elias applied a generous amount of Styling Foam to damp hair. He followed with Support Solution mixed with Blow Dry Lotion and blow-dried hair upward and away with a brush. To get lift, Elias teased hair upward, and set it with Texture Paste on the sides and Mighty Hair Spray throughout.
Photography: Ijfke Ridgley
Hairstyling: Steve Elias
Hair assistant: Kelly Liu
Makeup: Kecia Littman
Fashion styling: Kyle Kagamida