MANE MASTER: Lorri Goddard

Yahoo Beauty

by Justine Marjan

If there’s a blonde in Hollywood whose mane you’ve lusted over, chances are it was colored by the one and only Lorri Goddard of Goddard and Bragg Salon in West Hollywood. This queen of haircolor has perfected the art of blonde hair color by combining highlights and balayage with precision that can only be described as a work of art. Remember when Kim K went blonde earlier this year? Yep, Lorri was the genius behind it, as well as the locks of Elizabeth, Ashley, and Mary Kate Olsen, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Lawrence, Reese Witherspoon, Kiernan Shipka, Caroline Vreeland, Chloe Grace Moretz, etc, etc, etc. So how does one become Hollywood’s blonde whisperer? We had a chat with Lorri to discuss…

How did you get your start in the industry?

My mom’s idea of after school time was a dollop of red, blue and yellow paint, a stack of paper and a few brushes. The obsession to create with color began right then.

What was one of your biggest career challenges and how did you overcome it?

Sexism. It seemed in my twenties, 7 times out of 10 female clients would choose a male to do their hair. I looked at my work critically and observed that it was at least the same level. I allowed my feelings to be hurt and my ego to be bruised. Finally, I complained to one of my male stylist friends stating it did not seem fair, because he was a man it seemed clients chose him over a female stylist. He agreed verbally and told me,”Your work is good but that is just how it is. You’re going to have to learn how to deal with it.”

Women make about 78 cents to every man’s dollar and it translates in many ways. By him validating my feelings it helped me to make a decision to toughen up quite a lot and not let that get me down. I just strapped on my boots and kept on doing my VERY BEST JOB, with an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE. It might take me longer but I was getting up that mountain.

Stay strong and carry on.

Who are some role models who have inspired you?

Annie Humphreys for her team work and resilience, Mother Nature for every color shade, and Chris Turner-Bragg, Cervando Maldonado, and Gregory Russell for their super fresh vision. Also Claude Monet for his interpretation of shadow and light to canvas.

Do you have a signature look or style that you are known for?

Blonde: from a whisper to a scream!

Which hair products or tools are always in your kit?

What advice would you give yourself 10 years ago?

Be Audacious. Let Go & Let God.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Rejection is God’s Protection.

What advice would you give to new stylists?

  1. Observe and LISTEN.

  2. Stay Focused.

  3. Do your very best always, even when your feet hurt or you are running very late for your next client or a fabulous party.

  4. Wear shoes you can run in.

  5. Hard work and NOT entitlement reaps rewards.

What is the next chapter for you?

Travel, Teach, Love, Giggle.

How would you describe your beauty and hair philosophy?

Subtle, bold, or a combination. I only paint pictures I believe in. If I do not feel it, I will not do the color. I like to enhance a persons eye color and keep hair super shiny.

Be sure to follow @lorrigoddard_ and @goddardbragg for more #manespiration.