Local Love with Alex Tuley, Hair Stylist Portsmouth, NH // NH Wedding Photographer

UPDATE: if you are looking for Alex, she is now a hair stylist at Pin-Up Hair Salon in Dover, NH!

I’ve had lots of interest in my Local Love series and that makes my heart so happy! I’m excited to bring my brides awesome info about the local artists and businesses that would be great to incorporate into their own weddings. Today, I bring you the talents of hair stylist, Alex, from the salon In Boston (which is actually in Portsmouth, NH).

Oh Alex, how I love thee! I talked to Alex a few times while getting my hair done by her best friend at In Boston, but it wasn’t until my wedding rolled around and my stylist was on maternity leave that I got to actually have my hair done by her. I’d seen the amazing work she did and had a glowing recommendation from my stylist, so I knew I’d be golden. From conversations she would participate in with my hairstylist and I (she dressed up like Prince one year for Halloween so I started to fall in love with her at the mention of that, and her love of the show LOST, which is an obsession of mine as well), so I was already quite comfortable with her. Little did I know that this choice was PERFECTION.

I could go on about how awesome she did my hair, how it was touchable but didn’t lose it’s shape while my husband and I stood at the top of a lighthouse and said our vows, and how it lasted through pictures and a last minute dinner with close friends. I could go on about how she understood the image I had in my mind, how she made it work even though my hair was not very healthy and not very long. She did all of that. She rules. And she did it all in such a way that she MADE my wedding morning be so perfect and calm.

Our wedding was a small one (only four people were there and that includes our officiant and photographer) that was intentionally very low key. We wanted it to be super laid back, no pressure, nothing major to worry about; I think the only thing we worried about was getting to the lighthouse before it started to sprinkle so we could be sure to be on the outer rung and not inside – and we did! Score! And going to Alex was one hell of an awesome decision.

She did my hair perfectly, and she was so easy to work with. She complimented our relaxed vibe by joking with me, was excited for us (but not over the top and gushy), was careful, attentive, warm (a big hug and a smile on the way out the door had me leaving beaming) and was all around perfect. She truly got the day started on the right foot.

And to top it off, she gave me AMAZING advice for every day use with my hair! Stuff that has LITERALLY changed the feeling of it! When I say that it was in bad condition when I got there, it was due in part to years of doing bad things that I didn’t even know were bad. She walked me through the explanation as to why I needed to change my habits and two months later, my hair felt worlds different. Stack that on top of her use of organic and less chemically infused products (which I also love) and you have a happy Sarah. Oh, and curly haired girls definitely need to give her a visit, she will help you in a jiffy.

So that’s Alex: smart, knows her craft and is damn good at it. Alex styled two girls for me (Lauren and Dana) to photograph and both were awesome! The pink color in the Lauren is also her handiwork, so hit her up for some awesome color too! I loved how the second style was very English rose/Downtown Abbey, and how the pink hair was fun and yet soft at the same time. All of the hair accessories were Alex’s that she bought special for these up-dos. Talent, style and amazing girl all around.

Enjoy the pictures and the interview, she is AMAZING. If you decide to have her do your hair, tell her I said HI!

Meet Alex!

How long have you been a hair stylist and how long have you been working for In Boston?
I’ve been a stylist for 5 years now, and I’ve been styling at In Boston for 3 years this June.

I know how awesome you are (hello, you love Prince, MJ, are an animal lover, do insane hair work, are easy to talk to and also easy on the eyes) but tell the rest of the people who haven’t had the pleasure of getting to know you a little about yourself!
I’ve been playing music and performing in the local music scene for about 10 years now. I’ve been in several bands ranging from synth pop to rap: The Acrylics, Tiny Whales, Ghetto Crest, and Thieves. Right now I’ve been taking a break from music, but I have been planning on working with some friends on more projects and concentrating mostly on dance rap/hiphop. My rapper name is Miss Alex aka Nefertittie aka burkatwerk.

I have a cat named Biscuit. I have a tattoo of her with a beautiful hair-do holding her favorite toy (an elephant) on my upper right arm. It’s my favorite tattoo.

I love to read. I read a lot of non-fiction and fantasy. Some of the most recent books I’ve read that I really enjoyed are “The Immortal Life of Hennrietta Lacks”, “The Poisoners Handbook”, “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, and “The Mortal Instruments” series.

What are your favorite hair products and why?
There are so many! Kevin Murphy has been making these really fun texturizing type pastes and goos (one is called Super-Goo) that are so much fun to play with! You can really sculpt the hair into the shape you want. All of Kevin Murphy’s products are designed for use on dry hair and layering so you can really pile it on and sculpt away!

If I was going to pick one product that is my absolute favorite above all it would be hairspray. The days of aqua-net are long gone, so we dont have to be scared of helmet head anymore. Hairspray is hold in a can, it can come in really light weight (usually called working spray) forms or, of course, you can still get that shellac hold if you need it. Every single person can use hairspray, it’s great for all hair types. I like to spray it on my hand and then work it into the hair, this way you can apply hold on the inside of your hair too, so it’s not just sitting on top. This will help hold movement in the hair and can help build volume. For the curly girls, you can also spray it on your hand and twist around an unruly frizzy lock to add definition.

I know you use a lot of organic products at In Boston, what was the catalyst for that?
Working in the hair industry, stylists are exposed to all sorts of chemicals. Ammonia in hair color, Parabens in hair products, even formaldehyde in treatments. It’s nasty! Personally, I have pretty severe allergies and asthma so I CAN’T expose my body to these chemicals all day, everyday. At In Boston we carry product lines like Surface (organic, gluten free, vegan), Kevin Murphy (PETA approved, natural) and Davines (zero-impact sustainable packaging) that all have their contribution to the environment and provide safe natural products. I use an organic color line called Organics Color Systems. It’s ammonia-free and is oil based, using heat as a gental lift to drive color into the hair, no smell, headaches or rashes for my clients! We also carry Davines Mask Color Line which is more robust than OCS but has a very low ammonia content. Ultimately the stylists, clients and Earth are happier for using color and styling aids that use natural, organic derived ingredients. We like that.

What is your favorite part about wedding hair styling?
I just love styling hair. Up, down, whatever, it’s so much fun! Usually brides come in with pictures of the type of style they are going for, but once I get in there I like to let the hair talk to me. And it’s really fun to build with a challenge. Ladies that come in with shorter hair and I end up piling it up on their head in a way that makes it look 10 feet long. Of course, it’s fun using accessories and hair pieces.

How far in advance of a girl’s wedding should she make an appointment?
At least 3 months. Once spring hits we are already preparing for wedding season and the weekends fill up very quickly. To ensure we have plenty of time available on your special day, you definitely want to plan a few months ahead of time. Caitlyn is our receptionist/salon manager/wedding coordinator, and she is fantastic! Just call up the salon and she can answer every Q you could possible think of.

What is the best practice for someone wanting to get their hair styled with you for their wedding?
We ask that brides first book a trial wedding appointment with the stylist that will be doing their hair on the day of their wedding. This gives the bride and stylist time to discuss hair concepts, try a few styles and to build a rapport. Photos of styles the bride would like to try are a great way to make sure what exactly she likes and does not like. A curl is not just a curl, there are hundreds of ways to curl the hair! It’s best if the bride-to-be comes in with her hair washed the DAY BEFORE her appointment and air dried naturally. And bring any accessories or hair fixtures (veil, combs, pins etc.) so we can keep it in mind for the style.

Do you also do on location hair styling for brides that can’t travel to you on the day of?
Yes, we do!! This is also important to book ahead to make sure we have all the time set aside for the big day!

Tell us how to get ahold of you for appointments to do cuts, color and up dos.
Call the salon (In Boston Salon) at 603-431-7838 Caitlyn is our receptionist and she is great at finding the right stylist to suit your needs.

And a quick list of your favorites:

Favorite place to shop in NH: Odd Showroom Portsmouth, NH, Bobbles&Lace Portsmouth NH

Favorite place for food in NH: The District Portsmouth NH, The Friendly Toast Portsmouth NH

Favorite place to relax in NH: At my apartment with a good book!

Favorite little known place in NH (if you are willing to share!): There is a sandy beach at Odiorn State Park Rye NH. It’s my favorite place to swim in the summer and no one is ever there! Park at the boat launch and follow the path. It faces west towards new castle so it’s warm till sunset.

Anything else you want to let the world know?
I specialize in curly hair. Everyone in my family has curly hair and that’s how I learned to cut. Its more free-form and sculptural. I absolutely love having clients with crazy curls they “cannot control” sit in my chair. By the end they have a style they can definitely control and huge smiles on their face. It’s the best!

Thank you, Alex! I wish you all the best!