The path to finding Anja was about as bumpy as Rapunzel’s escape from the tower. The problem: models fear for their hair. Fortunately, Anja was in good hands. Hairdresser Ferhat Sekerci from western Switzerland worked his magic on Anja’s head and transformed her mop of hair into a blonde mane that not only made our cover model gasp. Sekerci rightly won the Style & Color Trophy 2022 from L’Oréal Professionnel recently and proved his skills in the process. Naturally, we brought him on board for our cover shoot and got the best tips for our hair.
Photography: Oliver Rust @ ko_photography.ch
Production: Call List Production @ call_list_
Styling: Antonina Ambre @ ambrecreatives & Sabine Berlipp @ sabine_berlipp
Make-up: Giada Marina by Style Council @ stylecouncilagency, @ gmg.artist
Hair: Ferhat Sekerci @ coiffeur.visagiste
Model: Anja S. by Option-Model @ Option Model Agency
Backstage Photography: Joana Chopard
FACES: Congratulations on your win at the Style & Color Trophy 2022 by L’Oréal Professionnel! What was your strategy for winning the competition?
Ferhat Sekerci: Taking part in the biggest hairdressing competition in the world was hugely important to me. I had decided to show my personality by emphasizing the beauty of the woman. I then opted for the French balayage technique and implemented it in a natural, elegant and sophisticated way.
F: What does this win mean to you?
FS: It makes me personally particularly happy that I was able to win the competition. This is great recognition for my work and I am delighted to finally be able to reap the rewards. This gives me the strength and energy to push my creativity further.
F: During the competition you used the French Balayage technique, the same technique you chose for our cover shoot. Can you explain what this is all about?
FS: French balayage requires a lot of knowledge, technique and skill. First, the hair is naturally lightened and then treated with French glossing to neutralize the color tones and increase shine. This requires the Expert Metal DX series from L’Oréal Professionnel, which strengthens the hair and enables even lightening. The spray is followed by the Blond Studio lightening powder and French glossing with Dia light – the challenge is to match the products to the client’s hair and place the strands correctly to create a natural play of light and shadow.
F: What is the difference between normal and French balayage?
FS: French Balayage consists of two steps and is suitable for all hair types, as the natural hair color is highlighted without going to extremes.
F: What do you say to people who don’t want to spend so much money on coloring and prefer to color their hair themselves instead?
FS: Everything has its price – and quality work anyway. Only a trained hairdresser knows which products are right for individual hair. If you dye your hair yourself, you risk damaging it and having to spend even more on it later to save the disaster you have caused yourself. It’s worth spending money on the expertise of us hairdressers.
“Only a trained hairdresser knows which products are right for which hair.”
F: How did you create that unique shine in Anja’s hair?
FS: The products in the Metal DX line maintain the hair’s natural shine. I then intensified this when styling with the Steampod and worked with the right products from L’Oréal Professionnel so that the light reflected in the hair like on a mirror.
F: How do you usually prepare a model’s hair before a shoot?
FS: A shoot requires a lot of preparation. If the model has dyed hair, the 10in1 Perfecting Multipurpose Spray Vitamino Color is a must, as it detangles, conditions and protects the hair from heat. During a shoot, numerous heat tools such as curling irons or straighteners are often used to shape the hair – this requires good products that protect the hair.
F: What hair products should every woman have in her beauty bag?
FS: The L’Oréal Professionnel Techni.art Constructor Spray, the Mythic Oil and the Techni.art Ring Light Pure Spray. These three are my favorites, which I have with me on all shoots and which are also in my salon and in my bathroom. I use it to create volume and waves, give the hair nutrients and shine and always have healthy, soft and ultra-shiny hair.
F: What products do you recommend to a model after a styling-intensive shoot?
FS: The three products I just mentioned are a must after the next hair wash. As hair can become thinner and thinner due to stress, it needs to be strengthened from root to tip. I recommend the Inforcer line from L’Oréal Professionnel for this. If Serioxyl is added, the hair is additionally soothed and strengthened, which also helps hair growth.
F: What do you particularly remember about the FACES cover shoot?
FS : Unfortunately, I speak very little English, which is why the collaboration was somewhat complicated, but also fun. We used gestures to communicate with each other, with Anja, our model, also translating from time to time. When I think back on it, it makes me laugh.
Find out more about the Style & Color Trophy, or find your salon for your French Balayage at lorealprofessionnel.ch.
