Trent Matthews

Hair Nerd

Artistry driven by Science

                  Who can remember the day they started their apprenticeship or first day in school? The excitement to create and be this phenomenal hairstylist. To paint, carve and sculpt hair, only to be met with a bunch of terminology and things that felt like you were back in your science class in school.

Myself, like I can assume was so many of us, began our journey in this career with the artistry in mind. More often than not, that is what we think about being in this field. Creating. 

                  But we learnt fast that it’s not as simple as pick a pretty color or to go crazy with product or our sheers. There is a lot of technical background and in color especially, chemistry and science. I was not drawn to the idea of learning the science behind the art. I was there to create and the science part I was just skating by as best I could. Because, at that time, those two concepts weren’t compatible. Art and Science were so far removed from one another. It wasn’t until later in my career and life that I realized that the more you understand about the medium you are creating with the better your artistry and career will be.

                  A Hair Nerd’s Blog is here to relay my journey in the nerdy science, elevated artistry and how we can better understand the science of hair and how we can grow as artist by learning all the details of the craft. I want this to be space that I can relay my expertise after a decade in this field, working as an educator with Redken and a who has the amazing opportunity to work between DC and LA and meeting some truly amazing artist in the field who are forever showing me more and more. A space of collaboration, where it’s not just me spewing information but a narrative amongst anyone who wants to be a part of a Hair Nerd Community.