3 Hair Gurus Share the Hair Trends of The Season // Keva Morris, James Mucker & MacKenzie Davis
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ESTHER LEE LEACH
LOCATION: STREETS OF CHERRY CREEK
KEVA MORRIS // VONROSE HAIR DESIGN
Cherry Creek Fashion: What attracted you to the hairstyling industry? How did you start your career as a hairstylist?
Keva Morris: I became interested in the industry from a young age. My mother and I would watch and discuss the hair and wardrobe of old movies and musicals like Cabin in the Sky or Ziegfeld Girl. I have always had a passion for vintage styles, and the amount of technique required to create them. My career began at the age of 16, I began styling for my mother, family, and friends. I gained an outside clientele by referrals as the years continued. While working full time and raising a family, I became frustrated with corporate America, so I made the scary decision to leave and pursue my styling career by obtaining my Cosmetology license.
CCF: Tell us about your salon and what types of services you offer your clients.
KM: I’d like to believe I have created a private suite where we can relate, relax, and release. I believe that having amazing beautiful, healthy hair is within everyone’s reach. I am a multifaceted stylist with a multicultural skill set offering Color, Cut, Curl, and Textured Hair Care, Extensions, Chemical Straightening Services, Wedding Styling and also styling for Editorial and Runway fashion shows.
CCF: What are the biggest hair trends for 2021?
KM: Trends in hair usually are a nod to the past or a look to the future with things being as they are. I believe lived in colors like rooted Brown and Blondes were popular in the '70s. Vibrant hair paint wax for fun change without commitment like the '80s. Pixies, Shags, and Full Fringe Bangs all from era's of the past. Since more than 70% of people have Wavy, Curly, or Heavily Textured hair, there has been a shift in the industry embracing and celebrating texture of all types.
CCF: Where do you find inspiration for your haircuts and styles?
KM: I find inspiration in everything from nature, architecture, science, and mechanics. Organic foundations and structures, nature's color combinations, and textures that exist are plentiful and very inspiring. My feeling is that all these things are interconnected, influencing one another through the ages.
CCF: Do you have any advice you would like to share with our readers about taking care of or styling their hair at home during the holidays?
KM: In 2020 less is more. People are working from home, so the need to use styling products and hot tools is less, so the hair condition can recover and become focused more on hydration and moisturizing. Hydrating the hair with water/steam and using high botanical hydration products like Aloe Vera and some Glycerin. Moisturizing the hair with products using natural moisturizers like Avocado, Honey, and Jojoba oil. This holiday season may be more of the same, but why not glam up for the family Zoom or selfie. My favorite holiday styles are a Sleek Ponytail with Center Part, a Vintage Deep-set Wave, and a Fully Defined Wash and Go with a pinned side with a fancy beret keeping it simple but sexy.
Vonrosehairdesign.com // @kevadeva // 720-975-3122
MACKENZIE DAVIS // KENZE HAIR SUDIO
Cherry Creek Fashion: What attracted you to the hairstyling industry? How did you start your career as a hairstylist?
MacKenzie Davis: Definitely the ability to be creative! I knew I had to do something career-wise where I could use my creative side in order to be of service, little did I know then that I would be building self-confidence for so many people! I started my career at a small salon in Denver where I apprenticed for 11 years! During that time I slowly but surely started building relationships with people and as I got more confident in my skills I built an incredible clientele. Many of which have been with me since day one.
CCF: Tell us about your salon and what types of services you offer your clients.
MD: KENZE Hair Studio is a small but mighty woman-owned business! I opened the studio 6 years ago when my first son was born and have been in the heart of Cherry Creek from the start. We offer almost all hair services to both men and women, however, we primarily cater to women’s cuts and color!
CCF: What are the biggest hair trends for 2021?
MD: Biggest hair trends for 2021 I think is going to be a transition of what we are seeing now with hair color. Transitioning from lived-in beachy looks to more bold pops of color. Lots of contrast and dimension. We are already starting to see some of that now and I think it will really take off next year and I am all here for it!
CCF: Where do you find inspiration for your haircuts and styles?
MD: Most of my inspiration comes from Instagram. I get so inspired by other hairstylists. I love going through their work on Instagram and then putting my own twist on it in the studio. The hair industry is incredible and so creative that we all just feed off of each other.
CCF: Do you have any advice you would like to share with our readers about taking care of or styling their hair at home during the holidays?
MD: Yes! The first thing is hair masks! If you have been in the studio then I have taught you about hair masks. They are so important and really truly is the best thing you can do for your hair. With a weekly routine of just one hair mask, you will notice stronger, shinier, healthier hair. Which then makes it easier for styling for the holidays! This year and almost every year my go-to hairstyles are low and sleek looks. Low ponytails or chignons dressed up with barrettes, barrettes are a fun stylish way to glam up any hairstyle!
Kenzestudio.com // @kenzehair_studio // 720-226-4493
JAMES MUCKER // SALON UTOPIA
Cherry Creek Fashion: What Attracted you to the hairstyling industry? How did you start your career as a hairstylist?
James Mucker: I have always felt a strong calling to the hairstyling industry since I was a young boy. I remember going to visit my mother’s friend in the summer, who owned a hair salon, in Waco Texas. She would always let me help out around the salon whether it was washing her clients’ hair, folding towels, cleaning the rollers and roller trays, I always found a way to stay busy while there. I absolutely loved my time spent there in the summer. I then continued on to cosmetology school around the 9th grade, and from there I never looked back! Since then I have had the pleasure of working alongside great hair stylist and salons; starting at Scissors Staxx El Salon, Charlie Price, and Planets Salon, where I was a booth renter for a number of years, and finally, Salon Utopia where I am now a proud owner with David Leon! Prior to being a salon owner, I had extensive training with Anthony Mascolo, James Morrison, Sassoon, Aveda, Rusk Yosh, and L’Oreal. Hairstyling has brought exciting experiences into my life including the opportunity to style hair for elected officials, actors and actresses, broadway musical stars, as well as competing and winning in competitions around the world. Hairstyling is my lifelong passion and I love what I do.
CCF: Tell us about your salon and what types of services you offer your clients.
JM: I have been a hairstylist for about 36 years, and have recently become an owner of Salon Utopia alongside David Leon. Prior to owning Salon Utopia, I worked there for about 26 years; I have always loved the family atmosphere and connectivity. I have especially cherished the family dynamic that we have at Salon Utopia throughout the pandemic. We have all adjusted well, stuck together, and continued to provide the same level and quality of services prior to the pandemic. We have been working to keep the salon as safe, clean, and comfortable as possible for our clients and ourselves. Salon Utopia is a full-service salon providing anything from cut, color, hair treatments, manicures and pedicures, and lastly skincare and makeup. We have a variety of stylists who are skilled and can get clients their desired results. If you are someone who is in need of a day of pampering, Salon Utopia has it all for you.
CCF: What are the biggest hair trends of 2021?
JM: 2021 seems to be a very exciting year for the hairstyling world as there is a lot of variety in trends. People are coming in more and more for natural textured hair, colored hair, and precision cuts. Curls also seem to be a big theme this year. I think it's exciting because rather than people coming in to get the “in” haircut or style, I am starting to see people daring to be bolder in their color choice or even just being themselves by enhancing their natural hair textures. I look forward to seeing what else this year brings, it's important for me to stay up on the trends as a hairstylist!
CCF: Do you have any advice for our readers about taking care of or styling their hair at some during the holidays?
JM: The biggest thing for my DIY ladies at home for the holidays, is to just maintain your hair as best as you can. Be sure to moisturize your hair, here in Denver it is extremely dry so it is important to give the hair some extra love. Make sure you are combing and brushing your hair, I know this sounds basic, but I have had some clients come in with damaged hair because they didn’t maintain it throughout the pandemic. And lastly, please avoid doing any at-home box dyes. These can cause a lot of damage to the hair, as well as poor coloring results, which we then have to correct here in the salon later on. It is best to wait until you can come into the salon for one of our stylists to do it for you. Most importantly, just take care of yourselves, make sure you are still getting outside, talking, or interacting with others in a safe way, and try your best to stay positive during these times! We hope to see you all here in Salon Utopia soon!
Salonutopiadenver.com // @salonutopiadenver // 303-321-8338