92. MASON PEARSON. THE KING OF BRUSHES.

If you only buy one hairbrush, invest in the best brush money can buy, a MASON PEARSON brush. An essential item for any beauty kit, whether you’re a professional hairstylist, make-up artist or novice. Or for anyone who takes pride in his or her crowning glory.

Here’s a quick history lesson about the company.

Mason Pearson is the founder and engineer inventor of the Mason Pearson Brush. In the mid 1860s he worked for the British Steam Brush Works where he learned the trade. He mastered brush making by hand. Later to partner with Raper Pearson Gill to form a small brush making business.

In 1885 he invented the automatic boaring machine to speed the process of making brushes by hand. He became well known for his brush making skills and he won the Silver Medal at the International Inventions Exhibition awards. He also created ‘pneumatic” rubber cushion brush. It took Mason until 1905 to improve his technique and become successful. Most of the brush work is still done by hand and the company remains a family business.

This Charming Man

HAIRSTYLIST PROFILE

SIMON SETTER

Jean-Paul: How are you and where are you?

Simon: Really well sitting on my balcony on a rare sunny morning in London after  just coming back from a week in Istanbul.

JPR: How long have you been in the hairdressing game?

SS: 5yrs as a Thursday night Saturday boy 17 yrs professionally God that's 22yrs altogether! When i started i said I'd  try it out until i got bored! which I'm still not!

JPR: Where have you worked?

SS: Melbourne Australia - Tokyo Japan - New York USA - London UK - Berlin Germany - Milan Italy - Paris France - Havana Cuba and then pretty much where ever else I've travelled.

 JPR: Where did you start and why hairdressing?

 SS:"Feathers Hair"  Donvale, on a Saturday morning so i could get MY hair done . Then "Godfrey and Taylor" , Toorak to meet gay guys and make some cash till i started a sculpture degree. My mum was a hairdresser and i have always loved the sculptural element of it.

 JPR: What are you working on at the moment?

 SS: A Tatler beauty shoot based on the galaxy. A pilot for a new UK/TV show. Paloma Faith and a couple of weddings for the weekend.

JPR:  Top 10 products / tools in your kit and why?

SS:  " Phillip B" products"drop dead straightening baume" for its ease - Jet set hairspray for its beautiful smell and finish - Russian Amber shampoo for it opulence and rejuvenating qualities and his Shin Shine for its brilliant shine. "********" straightening and crimping irons all in one which are amazing. Japanese grips and pins because they are the best for hold and strength - "Fuji"- more Z - 5 1/2 inch scissors for there precision and beauty - Bumble and Bumble dry shampoo for texture -  Masson and Pearson cushion brush for great smoothing ability - Graphite combs for less static - Classic silk boar bristle round brush's for great volume and lift and Lado Pro paddle brush's for strength and control.

http://www.philipb.com

http://www.bumbleandbumble.com

JPR:  What has been your career highlight?

SS:  I have had many opportunities to work in the places and with the people i always wanted to from Beyonce to Vivienne Westwood and to name one highlight is hard. But if pushed I'd have to say becoming friends and working with the genius that was the stylist Isabella Blow  from campaigns for Tattler to Philip Treacy, Mc Queen to Bryan Ferry was always inspirational, amazing, fun and creative .The people she introduced me to are true world leaders of style and fashion.

JPR: What advice would you give a  young hairstylist?

SS:  Research research research know all about the past present and future, different eras and times. Align yourself with a company or stylist you really admire respect and believe in. Work hard but remember to have fun and enjoy it because it really is one of the most rewarding careers in the world.

JPR: How can we get in contact with you?

 SS:  settersimon2000@yahoo.com  or at SMITHS salon 57 Poland street Soho London.

JPR: Future Plans? 

SS: Many, there is talk of moving to LA. And then I've always had a strong passion for Art and I'd love to do something more with it in curating and dealing. Then every time i visit home i get a strong desire to move back and do something.So who knows but what ever happens I'll always be doing  something with hair.......

 

 

What's in my kit. Published at Cosmeticholic.com

Ever wondered what lotions and potions are in a professional hairstylist’s kit? Well here’s a

sneak peak from industry insider Jean-Paul Rosette on his essential products and weapons of mass beautification.

Klorane Dry shampoo ($15.95, klorane.com) This is a staple in my kit. Fantastic for oily hair and gives new life to unwashed hair. Never leave home without it.

Aveda Volumizing Tonic ($14, aveda.com) It’s light and great for fine hair. Volumizer is to the 00s what mousse was to the 80s.

Bumble and Bumble’s Thickening Spray ($25, bumbleandbumble.com) Simply said, it does what is says on the bottle, a true workhorse.

Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Curl Crème ($27) For taming wild frizzy locks into manicured waves or for enhancing natural looking curls.

KMS Hair Stay Styling Gel ($10, kmscalifornia.com) I use this as the foundation to all those 1920s fingerwave looks you see at the moment.

Clinique Perfectly Straight Straightening Balm ($19, clinique.com) sends wild frizzy hair running scared.

American Crew Pomade ($15, americancrew.com) Men’s hair is very groomed right now. Side parted or a pompadour is being seen all over men’s fashion magazines.

American Crew Fibre ($15) Similar to pomade but with a matte finish because men shouldn’t look like they have too much product in their hair.

L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray ($14.99, loreal.com) Every hairdresser worth their salt has this in their kit.

Kiehl's Silk Groom ($17.50+, kiehls.com) Under harsh studio lights hair can become hard looking and dull. I add this little miracle worker in the mix to soften and to give a slight shine.

Paul Mitchell Smoothing Gloss Drops ($18.95, paulmitchell.com) Because everybody loves shiny healthy hair. This one is ultra lightweight, so it won’t weigh the hair down.

Sebastian Professional Shaper Iron Works Hot Tools Protecting Spray ($14, sebastianprofessional.com) Labor intensive hot tools such as straightening irons and hot curlers can dry out the hair making it look dull. I use this to protect and nourish.

Kusco Murphy's Setting Lotion ($28, amazon.com) A little something old school that I use with hot rollers for manicured waves that you see all over the catwalks these days.

Phyto Pro Intense Volume Mousse ($20, phyto.com) For bigger, more dramatic hairstyles that don’t move.

Large Boar Bristle and Nylon Mason Pearson brush (masonpearson.com). Since 1860, still the best hairbrush money can buy.

Babylis Pro Ceramic Round brushes (babyliss.com) As a hairstylist working on movie and photographic shoots you have to work extremely quickly these bad boys cuts down on drying time by half.

Jean-Paul Rosette is a freelance hairstylist currently based in Melbourne Australia. Since 1994 he has worked in salons and as a freelance hairstylist Sydney, London and New York. Within that time he was worked for numerous magazine editorials such as Vanity Fair, Elle, Vogue, Dazed & Confused and iD magazines. And groomed the locks of celebrities such as Naomi Campbell, Charlize Theron, Jessica Biel, Ivana Trump, Martha Stewart and Owen Wilson to name a few. He currently writes a monthly column for Matrix Magazine titled “Behind The Chair”.

http://cosmetiholic.com/2009/04/07/whats-in-your-kit-with-celebrity-stylist-jeanpaul-rosette.aspx