When it comes to hair, trends may come and go; at the end of the day, it all boils down to looking like the best version of yourself.
A notable hairstylist in the country who makes individuals feel like their best selves is Lourd Ramos. Aside from being a hairstylist, Ramos has ventured into becoming an entrepreneur, opening Creations by Lourd Ramos, a salon that has already expanded to several branches around the metro.
“While I am very updated with trends and runway looks, I also draw inspiration from the girl in front of me—her aura or her smile, for example,” he shares.
Related: Get The Hairstyle Of Your Dreams At Creations By Lourd Ramos In BGC
For today’s shoot, Ramos has two beauties in front of him—model and host Kelly Misa and model and Miss Universe Catriona Gray—both of whom he cites as his biggest muses. “Kelly was my model ever since! Aside from this, she is an inspiration and a good friend of mine. Catriona, on the other hand, is my baby! She has a heart of gold,” Ramos tells us.
“Lourd is the only one I allow to touch my hair,” Misa excitedly shares, adding that her first ever fashion show was with the hairstylist. “I think that was 2001, for Teen Mag. Come to think of it, that was a long time ago,” she laughs with Ramos as he starts on her hair.
“For Kelly’s look today, I was inspired by Game of Thrones—a beauty out of bed,” Ramos tells us. To get the look, he tells us to simply prep the hair with mousse, blow dry the hair, curl with an iron, and then seal with sea salt hair spray. Simple, and can be done by the everyday girl if enough effort is put in.
Gray’s hairstyle had the similar just-got-out-of-bed feel to it, but Ramos styles it in an updo that can be worn for more formal events. He shares that this look doesn’t require too much effort: “Some parts of the back were actually braided and set. I ponytailed the back softly, making a few parts of the hair fall for a softer look. Lastly, always seal with spray!”
Ramos has been in the industry for 18 years now, with achievements such as being a TRESemmé Philippines brand ambassador and guesting in Asia’s Next Top Model under his belt. He admits that things always weren’t this way, and that he had to work his way to the top. He also admits that things were a lot different then: “It’s not the connection that makes you; it’s about what you could’ve contributed to the emerging fashion industry during that time. If you have it, that’s when you will get noticed.” So he made sure he did.
When asked about tips for aspiring hairstylists, he tells us, “Success isn’t something that happens overnight! You have to put your heart into it, give it your all.” While talent is definitely important, Ramos credits discipline as his main key for success. “As you get older, you will learn that creativity will bring you places. But it is truly discipline that gives you a name in the industry in the long term,” he reveals.
From the beginning to the end of the shoot, the mood is very light, with everyone in the room clearly enjoying each other’s company. But despite his flamboyant ways, Ramos stays humble, saying that the main point of his career is to help people. “I’d rather serve than be served. It’s more fulfilling to see the smiles of people after you’ve worked with them,” he says, smiling himself.
As seen on Mega Magazine October 2017.
Photography Dookie Dukay
Art Direction Tanya Mallillin
Makeup Xtian Toledo of Creations by Lourd Ramos (on Kelly)
Makeup (Catriona) Myrene Santos of MAC Cosmetics
Hair Herbert Coralde of Creations by Lourd Ramos
Styling Patrick Pleno
Sittings Editor Trina Epilepsia Boutain
