August 04, 2020
5 Minutes With: Jennifer Yepez
5 MINUTES WITH: JENNIFER YEPEZ
Interviewed By: Nateisha Scott
Interviewed By: Nateisha Scott
Known for her sultry and dramatic looks, Jennifer Yepez is called upon to master iconic styles for many leading red-carpet events. Working with Salma Hayek, Zendaya, Jessica Alba, Keira Knightley and Emily Ratajkowski, Jennifer is your hair guru.
NS: What products are you currently obsessed with?
JY: Oh, that’s a hard one but the 111SKIN Rose Gold Radiance Booster, Vitamin C Brightening Booster, Y Theorem Repair Serum, Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask and Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask.
NS: What are your trustee in-flight essentials?
JY: That’s easy, when I do fly, I love using my Lysol wipes and travel size spray and then for skincare my Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask, Y Theorem Day Cream, Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm, Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum and Slip Sleep Mask.
NS: Any on the road essentials?
JY: My Eucerin hand cream, 111SKIN Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser, Skincueticals A.G.E. Eye Complex for Dark Circles, Y Theorem Repair Serum and Y Theorem Day Cream.
NS: What inspires the looks you create?
JY: I get inspired by what my client is wearing for the event she’s getting ready for. I love to incorporate iconic looks with a modern sexy twist. My looks are always sexy, iconic, cool and chic. I get inspiration from actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, Rita Hayworth and Sophia Loren to name a few.
NS: Tips for different hair types?
JY: There are so many different hair types so it’s hard to say exactly what is going to work but below are some of my favourites that I have tried and loved.
For thin hair
Kérastase Bain Densité Shampoo, Kérastase Masque Densité Hair Mask R&Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo & conditioner. For products, Kérastase Densimorphose® Hair Mousse, R&Co Balloon Dry Volume Spray and for thickening Orlando pita play Body Breakthrough™ and Orlando pita play The Great Inflate.
For damaged hair
Kérastase Shampoo & Conditioner, Bain Force Architecte Shampoo, Kérastase Masque Force Architecte Hair Mask, Orlando pita play Uncompromised shampoo, Orlando pita play Time Capsule™ mask or the R&Co Atlantis moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
For curly hair
R&Co Cassete Curl Shampoo + Superseed Complex, R&Co Cassette Curl Conditioner + Superseed Oil Complex and for products I would recommend the R&Co Centrepiece All-In-One Elixir Spray, R&co Turntable Curl Defining Crème, Kerastase Oléo-Curl Hair Cream & Phyto Specific Curl Legend Energising Spray.
NS: A product I would take on a desert island?
JY: Klorane Tinted Dry Shampoo
NS: Your backstage hair secrets?
JY: Make sure your team is strong, that is key. I am a perfectionist but also sometimes you may only have 20 minutes to do a style that would usually take 2 hours. Also, the key is learning your craft! Make sure you have learnt everything you possibly could so no matter what position you’re in you know how to handle it.
NS: Your favourite styles to create?
JY: I love sexy bombshell hair, a snatched pony, Veronica Lake waves or a faux fringe look.
NS: Number 1 rule of hairstyling?
JY: Learn how to do every type of hair texture!! This is a must if you don’t know learn! Never go into a job you can’t do. My advice is if you don’t know how to do something either learn or say no to the job. Learn your craft so well that no matter what comes up at any moment you’re ready.
NS: Number 1 rule if looking after your hair?
JY: Don’t wash it too often. I know some people have oily hair and try to wash every other day but if that’s the case use dry shampoo. If you don’t wash it that often, like myself, I always use a hair mask and if you have the time, I love to use a hair mask plus olive oil and leave it on overnight. Always use a heat protectant when putting any type of heat on your hair.
NS: Now without too much thought, do you prefer minimal & natural or polished?
JY: I prefer Sexy! I like my hair to look like you put some effort into it and sexy.
NS: Up or down?
JY: Down. I love hair down as it can be more of a sexy look. But I get told people love my up do’s and my signature snatched pony I’m known for.
NS: Straight or wavy?
JY: Wavy all the way.
NS: An iconic style to have its moment again?
JY: When it’s iconic it always has its moment! There are so many of my images I try to make iconic especially for Cannes film festival. The iconic styles that I think are always going to be a staple is an Audrey Hepburn & Brigitte Bardot look and also 90’s is very in and I have been loving that as well.
NS: Working with luxury or affordable product?
JY: Well to be honest I do work with a lot of luxury product but that does not mean that the affordable ones don’t work. I like to use both, and I like to try and suggest affordable products for girls at home to get the same look I create.
Shop mask
Credit of all images used in this blog: The Wall Group
Known for her sultry and dramatic looks, Jennifer Yepez is called upon to master iconic styles for many leading red-carpet events. Working with Salma Hayek, Zendaya, Jessica Alba, Keira Knightley and Emily Ratajkowski, Jennifer is your hair guru.
NS: What products are you currently obsessed with?
JY: Oh, that’s a hard one but the 111SKIN Rose Gold Radiance Booster, Vitamin C Brightening Booster, Y Theorem Repair Serum, Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask and Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask.
NS: What are your trustee in-flight essentials?
JY: That’s easy, when I do fly, I love using my Lysol wipes and travel size spray and then for skincare my Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask, Y Theorem Day Cream, Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm, Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum and Slip Sleep Mask.
NS: Any on the road essentials?
JY: My Eucerin hand cream, 111SKIN Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser, Skincueticals A.G.E. Eye Complex for Dark Circles, Y Theorem Repair Serum and Y Theorem Day Cream.
NS: What inspires the looks you create?
JY: I get inspired by what my client is wearing for the event she’s getting ready for. I love to incorporate iconic looks with a modern sexy twist. My looks are always sexy, iconic, cool and chic. I get inspiration from actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, Rita Hayworth and Sophia Loren to name a few.
NS: What products are you currently obsessed with?
JY: Oh, that’s a hard one but the 111SKIN Rose Gold Radiance Booster, Vitamin C Brightening Booster, Y Theorem Repair Serum, Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask and Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask.
NS: What are your trustee in-flight essentials?
JY: That’s easy, when I do fly, I love using my Lysol wipes and travel size spray and then for skincare my Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask, Y Theorem Day Cream, Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm, Joanna Vargas Rescue Serum and Slip Sleep Mask.
NS: Any on the road essentials?
JY: My Eucerin hand cream, 111SKIN Vitamin C Brightening Cleanser, Skincueticals A.G.E. Eye Complex for Dark Circles, Y Theorem Repair Serum and Y Theorem Day Cream.
NS: What inspires the looks you create?
JY: I get inspired by what my client is wearing for the event she’s getting ready for. I love to incorporate iconic looks with a modern sexy twist. My looks are always sexy, iconic, cool and chic. I get inspiration from actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, Rita Hayworth and Sophia Loren to name a few.
NS: Tips for different hair types?
JY: There are so many different hair types so it’s hard to say exactly what is going to work but below are some of my favourites that I have tried and loved.
For thin hair
Kérastase Bain Densité Shampoo, Kérastase Masque Densité Hair Mask, R&Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner. For products, Kérastase Densimorphose® Hair Mousse, R&Co Balloon Dry Volume Spray and for thickening Orlando Pita Play Body Breakthrough™ and Orlando pita play The Great Inflate.
For damaged hair
Kérastase Shampoo & Conditioner, Bain Force Architecte Shampoo, Kérastase Masque Force Architecte Hair Mask, Orlando pita play Uncompromised shampoo, Orlando pita play Time Capsule™ mask or the R&Co Atlantis moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
For curly hair
R&Co Cassete Curl Shampoo + Superseed Complex, R&Co Cassette Curl Conditioner + Superseed Oil Complex and for products I would recommend the R&Co Centrepiece All-In-One Elixir Spray, R&Co Turntable Curl Defining Crème, Kerastase Oléo-Curl Hair Cream & Phyto Specific Curl Legend Energising Spray.
NS: A product YOU would take on a desert island?
JY: Klorane Tinted Dry Shampoo.
NS: Your backstage hair secrets?
JY: Make sure your team is strong, that is key! I am a perfectionist but also sometimes you may only have 20 minutes to do a style that would usually take 2 hours. Also, the key is mastering your craft! Make sure you have learnt everything you possibly could so no matter what position you’re in you know how to handle it.
NS: Your favourite styles to create?
JY: I love sexy bombshell hair, a snatched pony, Veronica lake waves or a faux fringe look.
NS: Number 1 rule of hairstyling?
JY: Learn how to do every type of hair texture!! This is a must if you don’t know learn! Never go into a job you can’t do. My advice is if you don’t know how to do something either learn or say no to the job. Learn your craft so well that no matter what comes up at any moment you’re ready.
NS: Number 1 rule if looking after your hair?
JY: Don’t wash it too often. I know some people have oily hair and try to wash every other day but if that’s the case use dry shampoo. If you don’t wash it that often, like myself, I always use a hair mask and if you have the time, I love to use a hair mask plus olive oil and leave it on overnight. Always use a heat protectant when putting any type of heat on your hair.
NS: Now without too much thought, do you prefer minimal & natural or polished?
JY: I prefer Sexy! I like my hair to look like you put some effort into it and sexy.
NS: Up or down?
JY: Down. I love hair down as it can be more of a sexy look. But I get told people love my up do’s and my signature snatched pony I’m known for.
NS: Straight or wavy?
JY: Wavy all the way.
NS: An iconic style to have its moment again?
JY: When it’s iconic it always has its moment! There are so many of my images I try to make iconic especially for Cannes film festival. The iconic styles that I think are always going to be a staple is an Audrey Hepburn & Brigitte Bardot look and also 90’s is very in and I have been loving that as well.
NS: Working with luxury or affordable product?
JY: Well to be honest I do work with a lot of luxury product but that does not mean that the affordable ones don’t work. I like to use both, and I like to try and suggest affordable products for girls at home to get the same look I create.
SHOP MAsKs
If you were to advise a London guide, what would be on your list?
Well, As I grew up in Notting Hill, it will always have my heart and if I was recommending spots in London, a wander around Notting Hill would be high up on my list. From there it would be all the best shopping destinations, the iconic private members club, Annabels, Harrods and Liberty’s for any cute and unique gifts. I would always pop into 111CRYO at Harrods for the Cryo Facial and treatment for the ultimate recharge. Sometimes the city is great, but the beautiful secrets of the English countryside is something that should be experienced.
Your In-Flight Essentials?
I don’t have a routine per say and I am certainly not as thorough as Naomi Campbell but I would apply the Meso Infusion Lip Duo and I would always wipe my phone down with anti-bacterial wipes, in fact I do this every day, the bacteria build up is no good for the skin.
In terms of Industry, where do you see the hair industry going?
Well Instagram has changed so much and has impacted the way we consume and learn within the industry, especially with so many creatives, but I still find that a massive amount of people come to the professionals to share the knowledge on how to carry out or complete a desired look, more than ever there is power behind ‘how-to’ videos.
A very valid point and in terms of 2020?
In terms of what we are to see in 2020, things are going to be super creative and we will see a wider awareness for people doing their own thing and it will be expressive and artistic. People will move away from the overtly glamorous looks and will create looks they can tailor to their everyday. As it’s currently Award Season which is the busiest time of the year leading up to the Met Ball, hairstyles are certainly more elaborate, and everyone loves an up do. I would say the most timeless look has to be the blunt bob, it comes around year on year, but it is effortless and timeless.
Outside of hair, what other industries are you into?
I am hugely into Interiors and I would describe my style as 60s/70s glamour, think elaborate and dramatic but I often fantasise about 80s Dallas and Joan Collins and I have to reign myself in. I also love Baking; it is the ultimate way to relax and I find that it is my meditation and therapy. If I’m in the USA I would bake a lot of cookies as everyone is obsessed with then over here and in the UK, I would bake more traditional styles like a lemon tart or an apple tart – it allows for me to be creative outside of my job.
Finally, the best advice you have ever received?
It would have to be from my grandfather, he would often say to me “it’s not how well you’re doing but how well people think you’re doing”. I haven’t successfully implemented it however you can look to Instagram today and people see our work and are blown away by it, but we can be so hard on ourselves and not appreciate our own work ourselves.