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Rebel, Rebel: James Dean and Sexy Hair's New Matte Texturizing Clay

James Dean, the actor, icon and King of Cool, smolders in a new Sexy Hair campaign. Dean’s timeless allure lies in his “woke up this way” esthetic and his organic, loose, and styled-but-not-fixed hair. Rafe Hardy, Artistic ...

Anne Moratto
Anne MorattoDirector of Brand Content Strategy, MODERN SALON and NAILS
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May 9, 2016
Rebel, Rebel: James Dean and Sexy Hair's New Matte Texturizing Clay

2016 Modern James Dean Cut and Style (photo credit: Alec Watson)

Alec Watson

2 min to read


James Dean, the actor, icon and King of Cool, smolders in a new Sexy Hair campaign. Dean’s timeless allure lies in his “woke up this way” esthetic and his organic, loose, and styled-but-not-fixed hair. Rafe Hardy, Artistic Creative Director of Sexy Hair, says Dean influenced fashion, design and remains a source of inspiration.  

“James Dean was ahead of its time and his look has been emulated since the 1950s,” says Hardy. “He personified an effortless, laid back and casual cool style. His hair was left longer so it was very versatile and his natural movement would take over.”

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Responding to the boom in men’s grooming and to help stylists improve their traditional barbering skills, Sexy Hair’s Classic Clipper class will launch all over North America in August 2016. Classes will also discuss how to work with a male clientele because, unlike the 1950s, today’s male client demands more from their stylist.   

“In the past, a man would sit down and just say, ‘trim me up,’ but today’s male client is more discerning, they have an opinion on their finished results, and they may walk in with an image they found online and are invested in getting that look,” says Hardy. “With a better informed, choosier male guest, a stylist also has to bring more. The consultation has to be about listening to their needs, asking questions about their lifestyle and making product recommendations to recreate a design. Hairdressers need to find out how they want to look and feel. They have to involve the modern male client.”

For the client who wants that Dean-ish play and movement in their hair, Sexy Hair introduced Matte Texturizing Clay. This styling product separates, defines, and molds hair in place delivering a strong, non-shine, hold.


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