Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
When asked what is it about hair that makes her feel alive, Naeemah LaFond (@naeemahlafond) says, “Hairstyling is art. What moves you about art can’t really be explained. What I do know is that when I’m able to fully express myself and when I’m able to execute and share with the world what is in my head and in my heart, that it feels more like living than anything.”
A true artist to her core—since she was a small child styling her Barbies with elaborate updos and homemade haircuts—the amika Global Artistic Director has created unforgettable works of hair art over the course of her career. Plus, she has been teaching her craft and techniques for mastery as an educator extraordinaire to lucky stylists who have been fortunate enough to experience her classes firsthand.
Here, get inspired by LaFond’s 14 most favorites looks that she’s created over the years.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
I love deconstructing a braid and then pinning it into an updo. It’s the coolest way to keep the pattern that braiding creates but still having a bit of the undone structure that we love from a modern updo.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
I was asked to do a presentation at the NAHA awards and of course I had to do my fluffy glam waves. But it was NAHA so I turned up the volume a bit. Quite a bit.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
A mohawk is one of the easiest ways to create a look that commands attention, and gives your model a sense of strength and confidence.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
When sculpting my messy updos, it’s really a matter of chaos. It has to be messy enough to create an impact, but contained enough to still feel glamorous.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
We’re used to seeing textured hair more vertical, but I wanted to show that texture can really be manipulated to do anything. It’s always great to envision things from a different perspective. And in this way, you’ll never run out of hair ideas.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Wearable looks don’t have to be boring. A simple loose wave can be turned up a few notches to create statement hair that will turn heads.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Including texture has always been important to me. When I created this look for one of the first amika education lookbooks, it really got a lot of attention. My point of view has always been to show the art of hair styling and how it can be translated on all textures.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
Finger waves always transport me back to beauty school. No matter how much time passes between the last time I created finger waves, it’s always like riding a bike. That training kicks right in. For this look, I gave a hint of a wave to accent a sleek twisted updo.
Source: Courtesy of Naeemah LaFond
For an opportunity to learn from Naeemah herself, check out how you can win a seat to her next Braided Updo Master Class with amika here!
Maureen is a veteran beauty and style editor having worked at AmericanSalon, Woman’s Day, People StyleWatch and Teen Vogue, and a contributor for CR Fashion Book, Well + Good, Elite Daily and Glam. You can find her reporting on the latest trends from backstage at New York Fashion Week, interviewing celebrities and beauty industry heavyweights, and fashion styling for editorial photo shoots. The self-professed product junkie, super foodie and wannabe hand model is obsessed with rose gold jewelry, the NYC Flower Market and planning her next big getaway.
