Joey Maalouf (Kunst)

*****
Hair and Make-Up Artist. Los Angeles
There’s no better way to spend a Saturday morning than with celebrity hair stylist and makeup artist, Joey Maalouf. (Yes, we’re talking about Rachel Zoe’s BFF and co-star on The Rachel Zoe Project.) We popped by his fresh new pad in Beverly Hills (he recently made the big move from N.Y.C.) and to our surprise, were showered with a full home-cooked breakfast of blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes… mimosas, included! It may have been 10 a.m., but hey, who can turn down a good mimosa? Maalouf went all out: fresh-cut sunflowers (his favourite!), berries, syrup—the works! Post-food, we got right down to business. We were enamored with the sheer meticulousness of Maalouf’s closet; each hanger was perfectly spaced and his shoes perfectly aligned. His L.A. home is filled with colour and texture—pillows gifted by interior designer Betsey Burnham, brightly bound books from BOOKMARC on Melrose and a ton of great finds from This is Not Ikea. We even dressed up his “pet” giraffe—a random purchase that he confessed was bought because it hilariously reminded him of an ex. His bubbly personality and quirky sense of humour kept us entertained all morning. When we asked about online shopping, Maalouf responded: “I like the process of trying things on. I also love a friend’s opinion. ‘You wouldn’t buy a new mini skirt without asking your friends first.’” Any man who quotes Mean Girls is a winner in our books. He even gave us each a mini beauty consultation and spilled some expert secrets, like keeping eye cream in the freezer to help de-puff in the a.m. [Ed note: we tried and tested; it really works!] Maalouf’s style is effortlessly cool and his collection of vintage tees —“The more holes the better,” he said—is one of the best we’ve seen in a while. But the real pièce de résistance was his beauty closet—a true Coveteur first. “Nothing makes me happier then opening my ‘Glam Closet.’ I never have less then 10 bottles of Elnett in my house at all times.”

Things I can't live without:
•1. My Family•2. My Friends•3. My Freedom•4. My Fingers•5. Music

Stylist Rachel Zoe has something I secretly covet, aside from that insane wardrobe: A best friend who does hair and makeup. (Mine is a Yale-trained doctor, which may come in handy one day, but not so much when my hair looks unkempt.) Joey Maalouf is a fixture on this season of The Rachel Zoe Project, and the gatekeeper to her signature waves. I sat down with him, begged for a hair tutorial, and found out who the biggest diva is on set (hint: it's not RZ).

How did you and Rachel meet? "It was backstage at a fashion show in New York. I was about 21 and I was assisting makeup artists. Her stylist hadn't shown up, and someone introduced us and she asked if I could do her hair. I had a bottle of moisturizer and a comb, and I told her 'Oh honey, it'll be fine.' She was wearing her hair super thick and curly and massive. The lotion just subtly softened the curl and weighed it down a bit."

So you can style your hair with lotion? "Sure. You don't need a lot. I love products—my apartment is like a store, but I don't think there is one product that works for everyone."

You own a salon with your brothers. Are you all hairstylists? "My whole family is obsessed with glamour. I'm the youngest of five, and my three older brothers all do hair or makeup. And my sister has four daughters who are obsessed too. I'm not sure how it happened—my mom is so minimal and doesn't wear any makeup. I always joke that it's her lack of glamour that made us so obsessed with this industry. She said she was excited to have four boys because she'd never have to fix anything again. She thought we'd all become mechanics, but all my childhood memories are about hair and beauty."

You do both hair and makeup, which is unusual. How did that happen? "I was always obsessed with both. I started working in a makeup store after school when I was 15, and every girl wanted to be my prom date so I'd do their makeup. Then I worked in a hair salon and the first time I cut a mannequin's hair, I thought, 'I'm good at this.' But i could never choose one specialty. I like conceiving of the whole look."

What's your beauty routine? Do you wear makeup? "Ha—no. I wash my hair every other day with Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume Shampoo. While it's wet, I put a quarter size dollop of Magic Move pomade in and then a drop of Rodin by Recine hair oil. I love the way it smells, and it gives my hair a slight sheen without looking greasy. I comb it back and then once it's dry, I run my hands through it and leave it be. Other than that, I douse myself in Rodin body oil every other day, and then use Burt's Burt's Bees Radiance Body Lotion on the other days. I can't leave the house without moisturizing my body from head to toe."

Can you tell us how to get Rachel Zoe's waves? "We call it 'model-off-duty hair.' Whenever we're in New York, she says 'Joey, look at that model. She. Is. So. Maj. I want to look like that.' All you do is douse your hair when it's wet with a wave spray. Fekkai makes a good one. Brush your hair and part it down the center. Divide it into five or six sections and braid those from the ear down. You want loose, fat, thick braids. And leave the ends out. You want the top and ends straight—if you curl them, it goes a little Barbie, but if they're a little ragged it looks more effortless. Then you can sleep on it or blast it with a hairdryer. You can take it out and be done at that point; it just depends on how off-duty you want to look. If you want it more polished, use a clampless curling iron and curl four or five sections on each side of your head. Again, leave the ends out. Then run your hands through it and lock it in with Elnett hair spray."

How close to her natural texture are those waves? "Not too far. I love her hair naturally. It's like a mermaid. She calls it 'Twisted Sister'. But she loves her natural texture—it just needs a little love. Rachel wants to be herself, and she wants her hair to be tousled and a little messy."

Lipstick seems to be the other element to Rachel's signature look. Any lipstick tips? "I find glossy formulas are usually too shiny and creamy. Your hair gets caught in it. Put on the matte lipstick, then put a bit of balm on your bottom lips. It looks like you just licked your lips—very sexy."

Does Rachel ever do her own hair and makeup? "She's not hair friendly, though she is makeup friendly. She's amazing with her own makeup."

What about Rodger. Do you ever do his hair? "No. I'm terrified of him. His hair is his everything. I think one time I put a little gel in it and I was so nervous. He stared at what I was doing in the mirror the whole time. Rachel just lets you do what you're good at. You make a plan with her and then you do it, and she won't even look in the mirror. No one believes me when I say she's very low maintenance but she really is. I just love her. She's passionate and so inspiring, but very easy to be with."

You've clearly picked up some Rachel speak. Have you taught her any phrases? "We can't even remember any more who said what first. Sometimes I talk to my Mom and she says 'Are you even speaking English?'"

Joey Maalouf has been a hair and makeup artist since discovering his passion for it at just 15 years old. Joey moved to New York City in 2005 to pursue this career professionally. He met Rachel Zoe shortly after his arrival in NYC, and she quickly became a client and close friend.

In addition to working on ad campaigns, editorial shoots and with celebrity clients including Eva Mendes, Molly Sims, Khloe Kardashian, and Diane Von Furstenberg. Joey and his brothers own a salon in their hometown of Birmingham, Michigan aptly named, “Maalouf.”

Joey currently resides in Los Angeles where he’s living his dream every day.

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http://maaloufbeauty.com/

http://thecoveteur.com/Joey_Maalouf