Jet Rhys on Reaching New Heights

Volume at the spring 2010 runway shows ascended to new heights, and Hollywood is jumping on the trend. The advantage? Going up-up-and-away to a new altitude slims the face and elongates the body for a taller, more fabulous appearance. Be warned, though, longer, heavier hair needs a strong set to hold volume for an entire day—let alone all through the night. Time to try what we call the "Jet Set" at my San Diego salon.

It’s key to prep first: Prime locks with volumizing shampoo and conditioner, then towel dry and apply a quarter-sized amount of L’oreal texture expert Infinium 3 strong hold working spray (my personal fave). Since most thickeners are heat-activated, speed blow-drying time by working strands’ undersides, then the surface and finish with a large-sized Marilyn boar-bristle brush.

Now steal a runway secret by curling the hair to create extra texture. For a Jet Set, wrap four jumbo-sized hot rollers in the interior sections only—leave the hairline free. Mist with a little spray and wait for rollers to cool completely before you unwind. The final touch for supersizing hair? Backcomb underneath the crown for a mega-volume boost, then smooth the surface for a flawless finish. When keeping the sides up and away from your face, clip them up and mist on hairspray lightly. Let the spray dry before ever-so-gently pulling the clips away.

Jet’s career started at the age of 6 in her grandma’s beauty salon in Chicago. Since those humble beginnings, her talents have taken her across the globe working with and teaching hair color for Vidal Sassoon salons for 10 years. Jet is co-founder of Jet Rhys Salon in San Diego. Recently selected by Self magazine as one of the top colorists in the U.S., Jet frequently works behind the scenes creating the money shots of those glossy, swingy manes for national television and print ads.Jet’s motto is “look, study, attack.”