“I love educating. Giving back the knowledge to not only my training clients, but also my clients. Share everything. Knowledge is power and sharing the knowledge is even more powerful.” – Franc Starr
Franc Starr, or Franc as I call him, is the funniest and most knowledgable hairstylist you will ever meet. He’s full of genuine chit-chat and is extremely down to earth (although he will argue most compliments and flattery). He doesn’t boast about the work he’s done internationally or the celebrities he’s worked with but he will tell you if your hair needs help. He is more than my hairdresser, he’s an educator for Sexy Hair products, a great listener and an amazing friend.
So, I visited him today for my new do and I did what I do best, I picked his brain…
So Franc, how did you start out?
I decided two weeks before the course started before going through with hairdressing. I had no inclination to become a hairdresser, I was working in hospitality and I wanted a break so I left Rotorua and moved to Tauranga and I did nothing. I didn’t work, I just wanted a break. I ran out of money, went down to the local Polytech and was introduced to beauty, makeup and hairdressing. As a creative person, I decided I would give that a go. Being a straight male going into a course like this, the girls gave me a very hard time. I turned all that around when I achieved my units quicker than they ever could. I surpassed the senior class and gained respect when they saw that I took hairdressing seriously. At my first salon job, I was put on the floor as a senior stylist because the boss saw something in me that benefited them in the long run! I never got the opportunity to work as an apprentice, I was thrown into the deep end on the first day.
What do you do as an educator for Sexy Hair?
I educate other hairdressers on Sexy Hair product and specifically for each line. I tell them what product is good for which type of hair and whats inside each of the products. I also educate my clients. Sexy Hair is about quality product at an affordable price. They don’t want to match with the big guys, they want to bring a product out that’s just as good, if not better to the people. I educate hairdressers on the brand during training workshops and over the phone. My brain gets picked 24/7, both here and overseas.
What’s your #1 favourite Sexy Hair product?
My Gold star product, is the Sexy Hair Soy Renewal, it’s the serum/oil in the healthy range. Most people with fine hair are afraid to touch it but it’s weightless once its dry with total reparation. You got all the soy and protein you need. Argan oil and cocoa is infused together and that’s what repairs the hair. Anyone can use it; men, women, babies, straight and curly – all types of hair. And it’s only $25 NZD. The best thing about Sexy Hair products too, they’re very easy to wash out!
What’s been the highlight of your career to date?
The highlight wasn’t actually doing hair. I was sitting at the bar at Universal Sheraton. I’m sitting there ordering my dinner, we had just had the Sexy Hair conference and this guy sits next to me and he’s got a beanie on. Now I’m sitting there eating my dinner, and next thing you know there’s all these flashes, and I’m thinking “Whats going on?” I ask the guy behind the bar, “Can you put some rugby on?” Then the guy in the beanie taps me on the shoulder. He asks me if I like rugby. Now he’s got a beanie and beard and he tells me how he loves rugby and that he had just finished a movie. Damn, it was Matt Damon. He says he’s a big fan of the all blacks. He asked for my number and said he was going to come down to the Rugby World Cup. I hear from him every now and then. When you’re constantly in this work, its nice to meet these people, so you dot have to be over animated about it. They’re just the same as us except they earn more money.
But the best thing I’ve ever done during my time in hairdressing? Doing a clients hair for her. She was involved in a bad car accident. Just doing her hair made her feel beautiful. Sometimes you gotta put business aside and do what you love. You can’t buy that. That was the best thing I’ve ever done in my hairdressing career, it made me feel like I’ve done something in my career.
So what’s your biggest achievement?
Apart from competing, it’s getting from where I started, to where I am now in such a small amount of time. For someone who hasn’t been in the industry for a long time, I’ve done a hell of a lot. Being a master hairstylist and international educator would be the biggest achievement of all time.
If you weren’t doing hairdressing, what would you be doing?
I’ve done so many things, I couldn’t answer that because I love what I do right now. I want to do this forever.
Do you have any tips to budding hairdressers?
The only person you have to prove anything to, is yourself. Once you get self-gratification you will always be happy. Never try to compare yourself to anyone in any industry. Always be honest with your client. Be honest with yourself. Everything you do will reflect on your work.
And any tips for clients?
From a stylists point of view, when you’re looking for a hairdresser, don’t go by brand, just because people have reputable names, it doesn’t mean they’re the best. The best hairdressers work from home. Find someone who can speak english, communication is everything, don’t go by how many years they’ve been hairdressing, the young can push out the most amazing colours and styles. If you don’t feel comfortable in the first 5 mins it’s not going to work – you can hear the passion in someones voice. And another thing; don’t ever ask a hairdresser how long they’ve been hairdresser, it’s rude.
So there you have it, that’s Franc Starr… If you want Sexy Hair, someone who will understand when you don’t want ALL of your hair cut off when you ask for a trim, or if you just want to pop in for some of the best Hair education in New Zealand, contact Franc.
For more information see:
http://www.thesalon-hairandbeautywarehouse.com
https://www.facebook.com/GetFrancd1?fref=ts
To book an appointment with Franc
Phone 09 – 5706651 or +64211188774
Email: getfrancd@gmail.com
3/80 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington, Auckland, NZ
https://www.facebook.com/ZeishaPR
Tags: Beauty, Educator, Fashion, Franc, Franc Starr, Get Franc'd, Hair, Hairdresser NZ, Hairstylist, New Zealand, NZ, Sexy Hair, Sexy Hair Concepts, Zeisha Fremaux, Zeisha PR
