Image courtesy of Sydney Jackson
If you have the lyrics to ‘Nasty’ stuck in your head all day long, then you aren’t alone. Singer-songwriter Tinashe has embarked on a new era in her music career that is going viral, which means that she’s undergone what most music artists do at the start of a new era: a dramatic hair transformation.
Tinashe has shed her formerly signature black hair for dirty-blonde, loose curls, thanks to her go-to celebrity hairstylist Karen Miller. Miller’s also credited for being the stylist behind several other stars, from Mel B to Quinta Brunson.
The Tease had the pleasure of speaking with Miller about how she styles Tinashe’s ‘Nasty’ look, her go-to products, and building a relationship with clients. Read on.
The Tease: How did you go from someone interested in pursuing a career in hair to becoming one of the most sought-after hair stylists in Hollywood?
Miller: I decided to move from VA to NYC where I assisted and worked at Spoke & Weal; this is where my career took off. I assisted on any shoot I could, participated in fashion week and I never believed in placing limitations on how far I could and will take my career.
We have to talk about Tinashe’s ‘Nasty’ era hair, being the iconic wavy curls. Can you give a breakdown on how you put these together?
Miller: Yes, I love those curls! They’re what I call lived-in waves, not too neat, not too messy but somewhere in the middle. I like to air dry the hair as much as possible, starting with the hair’s natural curls as the foundation. I then go in with a 1/2-inch curling iron and define. The key is to alternate the direction in which you’re curling the hair.
When achieving these wavy curls, what specific beauty products would you consider to be your essentials and why?
Miller: Uberliss Frizz Elixir — This helps with frizz and protects the hair from heat damage. Also super lightweight and adds lots of shine!
Aveda Air Control Spray — Helps hold the curls during the ironing without leaving a crunch.
Aveda’s Texture Tonic — Helps seal the beachy waves. I find that the less you use the better, I try to stick to a minimal amount of products, especially with a lived-in look.
Tinashe is about to go on tour. Is there any difference in your process of maintaining your work when a client is performing as opposed to attending an event or cover shoot?
Miller: Yes, a lot of times we stick to something that will require minimal maintenance. The difference with a cover shoot is the stylist is on hand making sure that even the most intricate work stays in place for an event and it’s still pretty with light touch-ups if needed. On a tour, there’s lots of movement and the last thing we want is for Tinashe to be worried about her hair while on stage.
You have been working with Tinashe for years, and both of your careers have grown tremendously during that time. Does getting to know a client aid in your styling process or is that just a perk of the job?
Miller: Oh my god, yes! It’s crazy to think it’s been a couple of years now. I will say, getting to know a client definitely aids in nailing a look, and most importantly, taking the time to listen to what the client wants. Understanding that while I’m the hairstylist, I have to keep in mind several different factors to ultimately create a look that works for the occasion and makes the client feel good!
For all things Karen Miller, be sure to check out her recent looks on Instagram.
