About Ted Gibson

Ted Gibson is one of the most sought-after editorial, runway, and celebrity hair stylists in the business. His work has appeared in publications such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, and Allure and backstage at runway shows such as Chanel, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. More >>

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In His Beauty Universe

by Ted Gibson

Tina Fey On The Cover of Harper's Bazaar!

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I did cover girl Tina Fey's hair for the November 2009 issue of Harper's Bazaar. I've worked with Tina Fey before. Though the 30 Rock mastermind (and star!) is remarkably self-deprecating, she has absolutely beautiful hair. Of course, she's hysterical and a blast to work with.

We shot the cover at Milk Studios. For Tina, I decided to incorporate extensions. You can tell from the expression on her face on the cover that she's caught in a moment on the cover of being very glamorous and yet very funny at the same time. I love that about it.

Let's discuss products: This is a very voluminous wave. So, the first step was applying Fix It Gel to Tina's wet hair. I then used Build It spray, and medium sized round brush to first blow-dry the hair. Then, I clipped in (naturally) my Clip-in Extensions in Julia to add volume and length. Lastly, I involved a large barrel curling iron to give her ends some kicky curl.

But the real secret to Tina's touchably tousled look? The wind machine. You can't have a cover girl without a wind machine, Gibson Girls. Nothing is worse than stagnant hair on a cover!

Remember, Beauty Is Individual.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Dinner

In October, I was honored to be invited to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Dinner. First of all, I'd never been in a room with Barack Obama before. It was absolutely incredible. Michelle came out after he spoke, which was just so amazing amazing amazing.

It was truly great timing with the Congressional black dinner following my DC Salon grand opening party. In the spirit of the occasion, I bought a nice tux at Saks. Why not celebrate a little, right? Check it out in the photos, above. What do we think? Pictured with me on the left is the beautiful Sheryl Lee Ralph, Broadway actress extraordinaire. With me on the right is the gorgeous Shaun Robinson, Access Hollywood co-anchor.

At the dinner, I felt unbelievably lucky to be in the same room with such notable individuals as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice; President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators Calvin Smyre; Danny Glover, Cicely Tyson and Sheryl Lee Ralph and Wyclef Jean. This year's theme, "Reinvest. . .Rebuild. . .Renew" is inspiring and, I have to point out, not unlike Daily Makeover's, which is Refresh, Reinvent, Repeat.

Remember, Beauty Is Individual.

Styling Debra Messing's Hair for Fashion's Night Out

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Debra Messing at Fashion's Night Out
Photo: © MIke Coppola / Getty Images.

Fashion's Night Out was a major New York City event this past September. I helped out the lovely Debra Messing for her FNO appearance at Macy's Herald Square to celebrate the launch of Michael Kors' fragrance Very Hollywood.

For the occasion, we decided on a modern French twist for Ms. Messing. Very high, very deliberately off the face. I felt that the neckline of the dresses required an updo, rather than the loose waves she tends to rock. The look was volumized, with no bang and was swept straight back for a polished effect.

Girls, I'm pretty sure you're used to doing a French Twist on yourself. My tip is that you maintain control over your situation, and you do so with the right brush. Invest in a good bristle brush that won't undo all of your backcombing.

Remember, Beauty Is Individual.

Working The Red Carpet At The Emmys Preshow on E!

I recently appeared live on E! Entertainment Television from the Emmys Red Carpet pre-show. I was nervous; I've never done a live red carpet segment before! Live TV means I can't say whatever I'd like, it means no cursing (not that I ever do that), and no re-takes. Also, it was 95 degrees and everybody was sweating their heads off! We had a rehearsal, which calmed me down and luckily, the segment went great. The producers loved it.

On the pre-show, I presented three makeovers I'd done on real women, inspired by three respective celebrity styles.

Rhianna at the Metropolitan Museum of Art 2009 Gala was the theme of the first inspiration. Instead of doing a color concept like Rhianna's wild black and white hue, I opted for a two-toned creation that was closer to natural color. Instead of black and white, I dyed the hair black and brown, so it didn't have as much of a contrast as Rhianna's look.

The second was a Jennifer Love Hewitt updo homage. But I made it softer,sexier, and not as messy. The 'do consisted of a French twist with a little bit of hair left out of the front. I made sure it was very shaped in the back. It's perfect for girls who may not be as comfortable with a bolder.

The third makeover was inspired by Drew Barrymore's '60s bouffant at the 2009 Golden Globes. I created a version of that, but I named it sexy hair. It was all about that: Shinier, sexier, not as flyaway or dry-looking as its protype. To create the look, I used Build It and Hair Sheets Styling. I blew-dry the hair, and then backcombed entire thing. I used a really great brush to go over the whole thing.

The girls loved their makeovers! Bonus: I even got to meet Ryan Seacrest, who was taller than I thought!

Remember: Beauty Is Individual.

How To Create Great Halloween Hair

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Halloween is right around the corner Gibson Girls and I know you all must be so excited for it. I love Halloween because it really gives you a chance to go crazy and create a unique look. I'm super-excited for this year because I've come up with some great ways to use my hair extensions to create some iconic, gorge looks. Check out my suggestions!

Britney Spears
She may have had some high and low points these past few years but one thing's for certain, a Britney costume never goes out of style. To create the look, use my Reese clip-in extension, then tousle it and backcomb for that sexy, messy look.

Farrah Fawcett
The late, great Farrah was a hair icon from the very beginning so with this look it's definitely all about the hair. Fortunately it's pretty easy to get her look, just attach the Jennifer extension to your hair and leave it as is. You'll have that gorge, full look that Charlie's favorite Angel wore so well.

Lady GaGa
She's been all over the place this year, so it's no surprise that a Lady GaGa costume is a big draw for Halloween. To create her blonde bombshell look, attach a Reese extension to your hair, then pull all the hair to the back and cut the bottom so it creates a blunt edge. Flat iron to get that super straight, shiny and sleek finish.

Michael Jackson
The King of Pop rocked a sleek, black look in his later years, so recreate that with my Gabriel extension. Brush it out so the waves become very soft and subtle. Add a fedora and shiny silver glove and your are all set!

Need more Halloween costume ideas? Check out:

Budget Halloween Costumes from Beauty On A Dime

Vampire Chic from Positively Beautiful

Get A Virtual Vampire Makeover!

Working With Amerie for Complex Magazine

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Ted Gibson and Amerie at the shoot for Complex magazine
Photo: Complex magazine

About five years ago, I worked with Amerie on the set of a video for a famous song of hers. And I've been working with her ever since. So I was so happy to do her hair for this shoot for Complex magazine. We did the all-day shoot in studio here in NYC. Amerie wore designs by The Blonds thoughout the shoot. She rocked shoulder pads and heart shaped necklines and lots of glitter.

Her hair was long and gorgeous. First, I prepared her hair with Build It and Fix It gel. Build It helped to add body from the roots and fullness on the ends, while Fix It gel helped to fill in the cuticle to help with dry stubborn hair.

We then put my clip-in extensions (we used Gabrielle) to add more volume and length. Amerie's hair is usually about a little past her shoulders, middle of her back. Lastly, used a medium-sized curling iron to create wave and curl, then followed with beautiful hold hairspray. Amerie is so fun and lively and she loves to have her picture taken. She is larger than life and a total glamazon.

Remember: Beauty Is Individual.

Strong Buns At Tony Cohen

Fashion Week Spring 2010 Tony Cohen hair

Slicking back a model's hair and the final look.
Photos: Nathan Bush

Usually when you think of buns you think of soft, graceful and elegant. The hairstyle I created backstage for the Tony Cohen Spring 2010 fashion show was the total opposite: strong, sophisticated and edgy.

There's been a definite shift in the fashion world over the past few seasons; I feel like women right now desire clothes that are stronger and that make more of a statement. The same holds true for their hair. That explains why there were so many textured and slicked back looks this season.

Fashion Week Spring 2010 Tony Cohen buns

The view from the back.
Photos: Nathan Bush

For Tony Cohen, I wanted to make a bun that was slightly more architectural in design, something that was more special and spectacular. I took lots of Fix It Gel (and I mean A LOT) and applied it to the hair, brushing it back to create a slick, shiny, almost wet effect. I pulled hair into a ponytail, then twisted it in on itself creating a coil that was then pinned and place.

To add the "wow" factor, I grabbed some hair pins and began to insert them haphazardly around the bun, pushing them only partway in so they were very visible, adding that structural effect to the look. I then sprayed the whole thing with Beautiful Hold Hairspray to keep it all in place.

It's definitely a statement look and sexy all the way. What do you think?

Backstage At Carmen Marc Valvo

The look at my friend Carmen Marc Valvo's Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Week presentation was conservative, but with a twist. I believe anybody will look good with a strong side part, so I incorporated them into the sleek style I created. Check out the above video, where Daily Makeover's Amber Katz interviewed me to get the details on how this look can be worn in real life.

The products used are: Ted Gibson Hair Sheets, Tame It Shine Lotion, and Beautiful Hold Hairspray.

Remember, Beauty Is Individual.

Loose Low Ponytails at Jenni Kayne

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The low, loose look I created backstage at Jenni Kayne was inspired by a chic downtown girl on a summer afternoon pulling her hair back into a non-contrived ponytail.

To create it, I used Ted Gibson Tame It Shine Lotion to smooth the hair's texture and to tame fly aways and add shine. There was no backcombing involved with this look, making it pretty easy to interpret for an everyday look.

Then, I pulled the hair into a sort of topsy tail, but a less As-Seen-on-TV version.

Lastly, I sprayed on Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold Hairspray for super light control.

My Messy Sophisticate Hair For Vena Cava

I love working with the Vena Cava designers Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock -- they really know their consumer very well and cater to their cool, chic but not stuffy sensibility.

For the Spring 2010 show, I decided to create a messy, yet sophisticated updo for the Vena Cava girl. Sophisticated uptown in the front and a carefree downtown feel in the back.

To start I applied Hair Sheet Styling and blew the models' hair out straight, then applied a bit of Tame It Shine Lotion before pulling it back into a ponytail.

For the actual updo, I started with a textured ponytail, the length of which I twisted all the way through the ends. Next, I frayed the ponytail from the bottom up by twisting it and roughing it up with my fingers.

Once it was fully ratted out, I sprayed it with Beautiful Hold Hairspray, then took the texturized ponytail and coiled it into a bun at the nape of the neck. I left the ends a little undone, so that it didn't look too perfect. The idea was for it to be cool, modern and hip hair.

The end result was a dual-personality 'do that rocked the runway. What do you think of the look?

Remember, Beauty Is Individual.