He’s only been styling hair for a little over three years, but 25-year-old Barrington-native and Salon Shea Stylist Trevor James is already making a name for himself in the industry. Salon Shea Owner Tammy Ganan says she hired Trevor in November after other salons passed him up.
Now, he’s one of six semi-finalists competing to win Bumble and bumble and W Magazine’s “The Artist” competition, the title of which carries the chance to style W Magazine’s “Look of the Month” feature in the October Generation W issue.
When Bumble and bumble and W Magazine asked stylists across the country to create their own editorial looks using some of Bumble and bumble’s newest products, Trevor created “Fired Up” using nothing but a blow-dryer, a brush, bobby pins and a whole lot of Bumble.
“I wanted people to think ‘what is that? I don’t know what it is, but I like it.’”
Trevor knew what he wanted to do for his look about thirty seconds after he heard about it from Salon Shea Manager Cindy Salomon, who found out that Bumble and bumble was opening the contest up to stylists from Bb. Network salons—a network in which Salon Shea is a part.
In his video on W Magazine’s Facebook page, Trevor uses Thickening Full Form Mousse and Spray de Mode Hairspray to help sculpt the piece of artwork, which, despite its shape, looks as if it has been blown that way naturally, but with a mind of its own.
“I followed the rules, but I kind of broke them at the same time, in terms of it being a classic editorial shoot—but there needs to be a change.”
Because he has mastered the styles and hair colors that we, as consumers, wear every day, editorial looks are a fun way for him to exercise his creative imagination. The looks that Trevor knew he didn’t want to do for the competition were the ones that he does—and loves to do—every day for his clients: Down ‘dos. Down do’s on long hair, short hair and medium hair; some made straight, shiny and voluminous; some with cascading curls or waves; some with a braid integrated; others pinned half-up. You name it.
What’s more incredible is that all of the products he used for the look—like Bumble and bumble’s Tonic lotion, Classic hairspray and Shine on (and on…) finishing spray—are the same products he uses on his clients to create the every-day looks.
Tammy says that Trevor often gets clients that DO want to swap out a conventional ‘do for a more creative look, though. Some even travel two hours from the city by train to get it.
“He’ll do these beautiful, perfect styles—like a great beige blonde bob—and then he’ll have some rock star come in and want a graphic design shaved onto his head,” Tammy notes. “My whole time in Barrington, I’ve never seen anyone ask for that…and then they’ll jump in the chair and say that they want the side of their head shaved with red and purple, and I’m like ‘how do they always come to you?!’”
Trevor compares his decision to be different to a musician’s decision to create an unconventional sound; when we think of great musicians, for instance, we think of those that took a sound and altered it in a way that no one else had.
“People tell me they don’t like The Beatles, but then they say that Black Sabbath is the best; but without The Beatles, you wouldn’t have Black Sabbath, period. There needs to be that with hair.”
Music has always been Trevor’s primary means of expression. In fact, the only reason he started styling hair in the first place was because he wanted to be able to provide for himself, and eventually, a family in a way that didn’t require him to sit in a cubicle every day. He’s played bass and guitar in a number of bands like The Hot Sauce Committee and Bright Like Japan, and now plays at Life Changers International Church in Hoffman Estates every Sunday. He actually met his wife, Anna Shilov, when he was subbing for her band Pretty Pretty.
He, Anna and their newborn son, Cashton, recently moved to Long Grove, and all three of them can often be found at Salon Shea together.
Trevor’s family, friends and especially his co-workers at Salon Shea are all excited about the opportunity he’s made for himself as a “rookie” because he’s worked hard to cultivate what appears to be his natural talent for styling and coloring, and has proven that he’s mastered the art of commercial, conceptual and editorial looks.
Trevor, Tammy, fellow stylists/colorists Jamie Dinella, Amanda Marie and manager Cindy are doing everything they can to encourage people around Barrington and beyond to vote for his style once every week before the competition closes on July 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Should he win, Trevor says that…well, he’s trying not to think about it. “I’ve already lost sleep over it.”
For more information about Trevor and Salon Shea, visit their web site at SalonShea.com.
Be sure to check out their special offers page for new client deals and referral program discounts!
To vote for Trevor via W Magazine’s Facebook page, CLICK HERE.
And here’s the video that earned him his spot in the contest’s semi-finals.
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