Meet RAW Judge Ken Paves

Ken Paves has quite the impressive resume: he serves as the Hair Department Head for The X-Factor has worked with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson and Lady Gaga and created Hairdo Clip-In Extensions. He knows better than anyone how to wow a crowd, which is why he’s the perfect judge for RAW! His advice for young stylists? “Don’t worry about anyone else! Do YOUR thing and don’t look back or sideways,” he says. “Stand behind your creations because art is subjective. Who could have won—Picasso or Chagall?” His success, he says, comes from mentally preparing himself to do the best he can do, everyday, and learning to look for inspiration in new places—sage advice for any up-and-coming stylist who wants to become a star. “I close my mind off from anything I’ve seen before,” he says. “I avoid my usual references or places of inspiration. I like to look where no one else is looking; if I don’t, I’ll just see what they see.” In other words—it’s all about pushing your creativity as much as possible. “Life is a production. Real art doesn’t come from people who can afford to buy all the right ‘pieces.’ That’s easy—like a puzzle. Creativity is making something out of nothing. That is pure magic,” Ken says. Ken will share more amazing advice at RAW, Sunday, June 3 in Orlando! Get your tickets now!

She Bangs?

I was considering giving a client a fringe to update her look. Instead of saying that, though, I said, “Are we banging you today?” Awkward…

Jay Evan Moore

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Look Down and Frown

I was blow-drying my last client—it was the end of a long day and I was more than ready to go home. My client kept talking over the blow dryer and I obviously couldn’t hear her; instead of asking her to repeat herself, I politely nodded and smiled. When I turned off the dryer, she said, “You didn’t hear me, did you?” “No, I didn’t,” I admitted. “What did you say?” “Your zipper is down,” she replied. Oops!

Stacey Renee Baxter

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Picky Pinky

It was the first time I ever put foils in someone’s hair, and my mentor was showing me the ropes on a model’s bangs. I made my section, wove it and as I added a foil, my pinky finger went straight up her nose! Definitely a great moment.

Barbara Butler

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Full-Figured Chop Flop

I had my worst client 15 years ago and I’m sure she’ll never be outdone. She had very long hair and wanted to go short, yet she had a very round face and was a little overweight. I knew I was in trouble—she always had long hair and this was a sudden change, and I knew this look wouldn’t complement her face shape. I tried to talk her out of the cut, but she wouldn’t budge. So I cut it off, and guess what? “You made my face look fat!” she screamed at me through tears. She never came back and made her husband fire me. A few years later they divorced and the husband returned as a client. What a nightmare!

Danielle O’Neil

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Street Corner Chic

One day, a girl screamed, “You made me look like a hooker!”

Monica Barboza Montalbano

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Style Misstep

I hate to admit this! Several years ago, a client of mine walked in my salon for her appointment. I hadn’t seen her for a few months and her hair was a train wreck. “Oh my God, girl, what happened?” I asked. “Did you get a perm?” “Yes,” she replied. “You gave it to me!” I was stunned! It did look bad, but I’m sure it was the way she styled it and nothing I did, right?

Terrie Frankum Turnpaugh

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Rollin’ In the Deep…Trouble

A co-worker of mine was working on a gentleman who had a wheelchair. While applying a hair and body lotion to him, she explained the benefits of the product while trying to make a sale. “It’s good for when you’re walking around out there,” she said. “…Or…um…rolling around.” He just stared at her in response. LOL!

Melina Pursel

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Slip of the Tongue

Instead of telling my first-time client I would give her a terrific “cut,” I said, “I’m going to give you a terrific c*nt.” I couldn’t believe I said that!!

Sabrina Woodland

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A Sticky Situation

While washing a client at the sink, my gum flew out of my mouth and onto their face! That’s why you shouldn’t chew gum at work, I guess!

Nicole Paulsen-Gombosi

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