Web: brandonliberati.com
Facebook: Brandon Liberati
Twitter: @BrandonLiberati
Instagram: brandonliberati
Hair & Makeup Artist Brandon Liberati has over 20 years of professional experience cutting and styling hair in addition to makeup application. His axiom is “Beautiful is a Feeling.” Brandon’s celebrity clientele spans the television, film, stage, radio, and publishing industries. His artistry includes work with Aveda, Bumble and Bumble, Makeup Forever, MAC Cosmetics, and Benefit Cosmetics, just to name a few. His work credits include InStyle Magazine, Vogue, Glamour, Today Show, The Emmy’s, The Tony’s, The Academy Awards, The Golden Globes, Bravo, Fox, CNN, Ricki Lake Show, Entertainment Tonight, The Food Network, The Food Network’s Next Food Network Star, a guest appearance on RuPaul’s Drag U on the Logo Network, VH1, and many other makeover shows.
FSHN: How did you get started?
BL: It is the only career I have ever done or wanted to do. I am the oldest boy with three younger sisters… I had plenty of practice!
FSHN: Tell me about your life changing after became a celebrity beauty expert & hair stylist.
BL: I definitely have more airline miles! Things have gotten much bigger and busier for me, I call it “grateful busy.” I have gotten the opportunity to attend events and parties that I only used to dream about, and through drive and intent I have manifested this life. My life has changed for the better.
FSHN: Which celebrities have you personally worked with?
BL: Some of the celebrities that I am allowed to mention are Giada DeLaurentiis, Jackie Warner, Jeana Keough, Jessica Meraz, and Richard Kind.
FSHN: Who is your style icon?
BL: Sarah Jessica Parker.
FSHN: What is your number one beauty tip? Number one hair care tip?
BL: Beauty tip: Spray the hair under your headband with hairspray, texturizing spray, or dry shampoo before putting it on your head and it will never slip off again in yoga, pilates, or at the gym. Hair care tip: To save your blowout for the next day, put your hair in a pineapple (flip upside down, rake your hair into a top knot on top of your head and secure with a soft hair tie) and if you are going to use a blow dryer the next day for styling any little flaws, DO NOT use warm or hot heat, only cool. The heat will break down the bonds and straighten/flatten any bounce you were trying to save!
FSHN: What are the trendiest styles in Hollywood today?
BL: Lived-in hair. I call it “air hair.” Apply a styling product to your hair, dry your hair 80% (your hair will feel dry but cold to the touch), then finish with a texturizing spray or dry shampoo and let it air dry the rest of the way. This will give you that cool-and-I-know-it look!
FSHN: How can we do ‘Messy Bun’ at home?
BL: First, tie your hair in a ponytail at the desired height; hold it at the tip with one hand and gently back brush it with the other hand starting at the base of the pony working your way to the end (back brushing is just back combing but with… you guessed it, a brush). You should now have sexy, runaway strands sticking out all along the tail. Now, loosely twist the hair and wrap around the base and secure with a few bobby pins. Mess is more!
FSHN: How did you come up with ‘Unbridled Braid’ look? And how can we do that?
BL: My client Jessica Meraz from ABC Family’s hit television show Chasing Life wanted a sexy and fresh look for her red carpet event, so we came up with this funky and chic version of the braid. To achieve this ultra cool look, use a texturizing spray on already straightened hair (Jessica has a beautiful wavy texture naturally so I wanted to bring that texture out), now tease the crown for lift and then section the hair horizontally from the top of one ear to the top of the other ear. Take the top portion of the hair and sweep to one side and start a fishbone braid right behind the bottom of the ear. Now take the bottom section of the hair you left out and sweep to the side with the braid. Start incorporating a few sections of the that hair into the braid (this will keep the loose hair under the braid in place). To finish the look, I used a piece of leather to tie the end which gave it a total glam feel. To keep this unfussy look hot, make sure to leave out several strands around your face. You’ll have no problem finding a reason to braid this look into your spring season!
FSHN: Which hair/beauty products and tools are always in your kit?
BL: I always have Bumble and Bumble Prep, Redken Pillow Proof dry shampoo—it’s a must for any styling, I even use it on straight looks to give sexy lift at the base of the hair. Oribé Dry Texturizing spray, L’Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray, Davines Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion for finishing and it smells delicious. Must-have tools: Bobby pins (every girl should have a plethora of these little essentials and they should match YOUR hair color), a 1-1.5 inch curling iron/wand, and a mason pearson brush.
FSHN: What’s a celebrity hair secret we might not know about, but should?
BL: To get that red carpet or runway shiny hair that you see every celebrity and model with even after all the stress they put on their locks, just mix a silicone based shine serum with a deep conditioner and apply to your hair, leave it on for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse out thoroughly with cool water to lock in the moisture and shine. Do this little secret the night before any big party!
FSHN: What was the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
BL: Leaving everything in Utah to move to California (San Francisco to be exact) where I knew no one, to pursue my Hollywood hair dreams!
FSHN: What do you love most about being a stylist?
BL: I love EVERYTHING about being a stylist.
