May 2001 issue of Salon News

Rayon and spandex blend top with shaped collar from Claudia Hill. Model: Cassia/NY Model Management.

we spied on editorial hairstylist Dennis Lanni as he proved that the intrigue of “in your face” hair is more about the mystery of what is hidden—and what is left to the imagination.

Photography by Guy Aroch

SHADY LADY

“I always like girls with hair in their faces,” says Bumble and bumble’s Dennis Lanni, who credits his inspiration for this story to all those shy girls who hide behind their hair. “It’s sexy and leaves you wanting to see more,” he adds.

Always searching for new styling possibilities, this year Lanni is going for a “dry” idea. “I really like dry hair; well-shampooed, fluffy, brushed hair,” states Lanni, who also says he likes using the hair’s natural static electricity to create volume.

Lanni starts with hair that’s been undercut, then applies a spritz of sea salt solution, and follows it up with a good brushing with a natural bristle brush. But will selling this static-y texture to clients become a “mission impossible”? Not at all, says Lanni. If the static gets out of control, he suggests adding some dry shampoo to calm the hair down while giving it additional volume.

In the end, his secret to the styling is deceptively simple—“I let the hair fall naturally, fine-tuning it for the photograph.”