Hi Abbe! I’ve been following you on Instagram via @blowoutsbyabbe and absolutely love your bridal updos and coloring. How long have you been in the hair care business and what inspired you to join this industry?

I’ve been in the business for six years total, and licensed only two and half years. I joined this industry because I’ve always loved hair.

That’s what I hear often from stylists, that it’s really a life’s passion. Your salon, Blowoutsbyabbe at Beauty on the Ave., is located in Glastonbury, Connecticut; can you share with me, what are some of the hair trends you’re asked to do the most?

The most popular trends I’m asked to do are braids, bridal, and blowouts.

I must say, there’s nothing like getting your hair blown out by a stylist. Do you specialize in color, cut or style and do you style all hair types, hair textures and hair lengths?

Thick, curly, long hair always seems to be in my chair, though bridal styling is my fav along with keratins.

Speaking of long hair, what type of hair extensions, like clip-ins, tape-ins, weaves, pre-bonded, fusion, and micro-link, do you use on a regular basis?

I won a hair contest with Hairdo (@hairdousa) and I love using their clip ins.

Congratulations that’s great! I saw that Hairdo reposted one of your braided hairstyles that featured their Lilac Frost Fantasy Wig and another updo hairstyle accented with beautiful pearls. Those looks were absolutely flawless, what products do you use on your clients to keep them looking that way?

I love the line from White Sands Products (@whitesands_haircare). Love the smell and it’s not too heavy. I’ve been using their products for six years and was introduced to them when I took a bridal styling class. Puff Me is a must from Design Me Hair (@designmehair); it adds texture and helps with volume.

Oh my gosh, Puff Me is fantastic! It does just what you said and for skeptics, this volume-enhancing product’s online ratings average 4.5 out of 5 stars. What beauty tip are you asked about the most?

I’m often asked about what shampoos and conditioners to use, typically for all types of hair, as well as my favorite products and tools.

Speaking of your favorite tools, what is your go-to styling tool?

The Babyliss Pro 1-inch curling iron (@babylisspro) is my fav!

That’s a great curling iron. I know lots of stylists who swear by Babyliss’ irons. Now since hair is your expertise, I have to know, what over the counter vitamin do you recommend for thinning hair?

Biotin!

Fantastic recommendation! I’m a big fan of Biotin myself. I’m able to grow an inch of hair every month using Nature’s Bounty Biotin. No lie. I was wondering, which hair-dye brands are your favorites?

I love using Goldwell, Rusk, and Redken Shades EQ.

Those are great brands if I may say so myself. In fact, the majority of all stylists I’ve spoken to, highly endorse Goldwell and Redken Shades EQ. So, what is your number one hair care tip or warning?

Use a good heat protectant!

I’m so glad you said that. I did tons of research before I came across Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray and it’s the best heat protectant spray I’ve used thus far! I never use heated styling tools on my hair unless I’ve spray this effective heat protectant spray because my hair splits very quickly. I have to know, who did you train with and have you had any notable features on Instagram?

I’ve trained and taken classes with some of the best in the bridal business like Mustafa, confessions of a hairstylist, Stephanie Brinkerhoff, Nadine Donovan, Lisa loves balayage, and hair doctor-Gina Bianca to name a few. I’ve been featured on Ulyana Aster and Beyond The Ponytail a few times too!

I absolutely love Ulyana Aster’s work, she such an artist! Wow, congrats on being featured on Behind The Ponytail, that’s fantastic. Do you work out of the salon and are you available for local or out of state bookings?

I rent a chair in a salon but do a ton of traveling for special events and bridal.

That’s really good to know. So, last question, what can we expect to see in the future from you?

I’m hoping to work at Coachella, let me know if someone wants me — I’m open!

So thrilled to know that you are open and available to style hair for Coachella! I’ll definitely put out the word. Abbe, thanks so much for chatting with me. Wishing you continued success as well as a jam-packed schedule for Coachella taking place in Indio, California, April 12 through 22.

LuvlyLongLocks would like to thank Abbe Kierstein for sharing her insights and tips. For more information about Abbe Kierstein, visit her on Instagram via @blowoutsbyabbe or www.blowoutsbyabbe.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.