Hi Erin! I’ve been following you on Instagram via @erin.mane.maven and I love your color work, it’s incredible! The colors are vibrant, shiny and very well blended—that takes skill. How long have you been in the hair care business and what inspired you to join this industry?

I started working in a hair salon 20 years ago as teen to make some cash for movies and the mall. Art was definitely my favorite thing in school and once I got in a salon environment I realized how much hair and creativity went hand in hand. I enrolled in beauty school the following year and never looked back.

You’re a stylist with Lighten Up Salon & Spa in Budd Lake, New Jersey, what are some of the hair trends you’re asked to do the most and what is your signature hairstyle?

Trends and requests change year to year but I think consistently lower maintenance looks are super popular. People are still wanting that icy white blonde too but I have seen a high demand for copper and auburn, very a la Julianne Hough, and of course rainbow or something colorful. In my color work, I always try to make it somehow look “natural.” Even if I give you blue hair it will be in a way with depth at the root and dimension that it looks as if you grew it yourself.

I’ve seen your color work on Instagram, and it really does look natural. Speaking of which, would you say you specialize in color, cut or style and do you style all hair types, hair textures and hair lengths?

Color is my specialty, but I do all sorts of other services, cuts, extensions and upstyling. I work on all hair types but have more experience with some over others.

Since you mention hair extensions, what types like clip-ins, tape-ins, weaves, pre-bonded, fusion, and micro-link, do you use on a regular basis and which brand is your favorite?

Tape-in extensions have changed dramatically over the years! They come in so many sizes color and types these days you can customize dramatic changes and color effects. I also like micro link wefts for medium to thicker hair types. Keratin fusion bonds have their place but I use them in moderation. Sometimes I really customize and use all three. My preferred brands are; Hairtalk, Klix and Hair Shop respectively.

Klix is awesome! I must know, what styling tools are your go-to?

I am in love with my Babybliss V2 dryer. I actually recently heard it’s being discontinued and I might have to raise hell over it. My go to iron has always been Hot Tools. They have a great variety and price point. I choose a traditional iron over a wand because you can still wrap around the barrel and arm to mimic a wand.

Can’t argue with you about Hot Tools—their tools are definitely worth buying—and great point about utilizing the traditional iron as a wand. It’s a great idea for gals on a budget! So, what products do you like to use on your clients?

Volume and smoothness are what most clients are looking for. I like to use Redken Aerate and Pureology Instant Levitation Mist for body, and Redken All Soft Argan Oil for a frizz free finish. Clients with coarser hair get a mix of the oil and Redken Hydra Melt. Pulp Riot Berlin Dry Shampoo is my obsession for a style extender.

Thanks for that recommendation, I’ll have to try Pulp Riot’s dry shampoo. I love dry shampoo and I’m always open to suggestions. As a matter of fact, there’s an article on my blog about the best local drugstore dry shampoos under $10. Okay, so I have to know, what beauty tip are you asked about the most?

People ask all the time if I think their hair is thinning. When I tell them it is normal to lose over a hundred hairs a day they are so relieved. Most don’t know it is actually a stage in the growth process. If they still have concerns I recommend they see their general practitioner for some blood work. Iron deficiencies and thyroid disorders are the most common culprits.

Since we’re on the subject, what vitamin or supplement do you recommend for thinning hair?

As mentioned having stable iron levels is important. I also feel your hair and scalp health is an inner reflection. Eating clean and taking regular vitamins helps hair stay strong. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, is the only thing proven to stimulate hair growth and density. Remember it is a drug and a doctor should be consulted before starting.

Oh, that’s really good to know about Minoxidil, I had no idea! I’m wondering, which hair-dye brand is your favorite and which drugstore hair-dye brand do you recommend for touch-ups at home?

My favorite professional color brand is Pulp Riot. For at-home touch-ups needed between appointments, I suggest investing in a camouflaging spray, no chemicals required, no room for error. Your stylist can help you match the right color.

Those are brilliant recommendations! Camouflaging Spray is literally magic in a bottle, and Pulp Riots colors are unbeatable. So, what would you say is your number one hair care tip or warning?

Make sure it’s what you really want not just what you want right now. Above all please also trust your stylist about your hairs limitations. We want nothing more than to give you what you want but the integrity of your hair has to be our first priority.

Trusting your stylist is really important. Some people may need a couple visits before they start to trust their stylist, but that’s okay. I’m super interested to know, who did you train with and do you hold any certifications?

I had a mentor when I was first starting out that showed me the ropes and stressed the importance of keeping up on education. I have gone to academies, gotten certified for services, taken so many different color, styling and cutting classes. Wanting to pay forward what I have been given, I mentor other stylists and do Independent and Brand Education for Pulp Riot Hair. 

I like that you mentor and educate! Do you work out of the salon and are you available for on-location bookings, either locally or out of state?

Currently, I only do hair at the salon. I stopped booking on-site weddings and events because my travel schedule for educating has become too hectic to commit so far in advance. I am available for class booking pretty much anywhere—USA and beyond.

That’s really good to know you’re available for class bookings anywhere. So then, what can we expect to see in the future from you?

When I am not creating more wearable looks for my clients I like to really get into some unconventional color. You can expect to see me doing a lot more experimenting this year and shooting the hair in a more editorial style. I would also love to put out more live and video content on my social media. Focusing on educating will be a big focus this year.

Erin, I can’t wait to see your editorial stylings! Plus, your videos on Instagram are great, so I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of them! Thanks for this exclusive one-on-one interview, I learned a lot. Cheers to a fruitful year ahead!

LuvlyLongLocks would like to thank Erin Hriczak for sharing her insights and tips. For more information about Erin Hriczak, visit http://lightenupsalon.com.  

This interview was conducted by Avni Parekh, LuvlyLongLocks CCO. LuvlyLongLocks has affiliate partnerships and may earn a commission if you make a purchase through the link at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, only products that are known to yield high results are recommended.