Matthew Newman became a hairdresser out of necessity. About a decade ago, the soon-to-be college graduate decided to grow his hair long, but he had no idea how to take care of it, let alone style it. That, and he was being bombarded with reminders that if he wanted to find a “real” job after college, he’d have to part with his precious locks.
“So I figured I was gonna just, two birds one stone, and learn how to do my hair and get a job that allows me to be me finally,” Newman says.
Newman parlayed that into a thriving career that takes him behind the scenes of some of the most well-known magazines, commercials, and fashion shows around the world. When he’s not crafting runway-worthy styles, however, he’s imparting his hair wisdom to his 417 thousand TikTok followers, sharing secrets from how to use a curling iron to his favorite affordable products. Newman will soon join Hair.com’s Shop With A Stylist program, where you will be able to shop all of his favorite Hair.com products at an exclusive price and with free shipping! Ready to learn more about one of TikTok’s favorite stylists? Keep reading to find out his favorite hair tricks and tips, and the one thing you’d never guess about him.
Hair.com: Did you always want to be a hairstylist?
Matthew Newman: “I did not. It wasn't something I always knew I wanted to do. But as I got closer to starting my career and finishing university, I just knew I really wanted to do something creative. And it felt like a great outlet.”
HDC: If you could trade lives with any stylist, who would it be?
MN: “Orlando Pita. I think he's just fabulous. That team goes all over the place, and because they were in New York, I got to hop on and join in. They were so gracious and so welcoming. The entire team was full of people who make it their business to be on as many projects with him as possible. I just think he's awesome.”
HDC: What’s your backstage nickname?
MN: “Matty.”
HDC: What's your worst hair habit?
MN: “Putting hairpins in my mouth when I’m styling hair. I can't believe myself, but I do that. My cosmetology school teachers would cry.”
HDC: The weirdest hair hack I know is _
MN: “I like to clip extensions upside down so that you get more volume.”
HDC: My favorite part of hairstyling is _
MN: “Connecting with people.”
HDC: “If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one hair tool, which would it be?”
MN: “A 1 and a quarter inch Marcel curling iron.”
HDC: The hair product I couldn't live without is _
MN: The Kerastase Elixir Ultime L’Huile Originale Hair Oil.”
HDC: Everyone should _ at least once in their life.
MN: “Fall in love.”
HDC: What hair color have you always wanted to try but never had the guts?
MN: “Magenta.”
HDC: Favorite shampoo?
MN: “The Mizani True Textures Shampoo.”
HDC: Favorite conditioner?
MN: “The Mizani True Texture Conditioner.”
HDC: Favorite styling cream?
MN: “The Bumble and Bumble Shine Cream.”
HDC: What's one hair secret you think everyone should know?
MN: “You can waterproof your blowout by mixing dry shampoo, a starch-based formula, and a silicone serum. This will protect your blowout from humidity, and I call it ‘rainproof.’ You're going to do a hefty coating of dry shampoo, and then take a much smaller amount of serum and break it down on your palms really good. Then, completely coat your hair from root to tip.”
HDC: What’s the key to healthy hair?
MN: “Hydration and nourishment, meaning products that have water in them. If you're looking at conditioners, leave-in conditioners, or anything like that, you want the word water as an ingredient. Then, get vitamins into your hair. You’ll want non-silicone, true oil blend products like pure argan oil.”
HDC: What’s your favorite hair trend?
MN: “I'm loving that the 1960s flip is back whether it's flipped under or flipped out. I love a bouncy, flippy blowout.”
HDC: What's your least favorite hair trend?
MN: “An 18-inch or a 24-inch braid extension.”
HDC: What’s your favorite thing to do that clients request?
MN: “My favorite thing to do that clients request is when they want to match their kid, I love that. I love it when a mom and daughter want to match.”
HDC: Before you were a pro, what was the biggest misconception you had about being a stylist and are working in this hair industry?
MN: “The amount of respect that you get. As a professional, you have to fight for your respect. And people think that they can just know better or do better.”
HDC: What was your first job?
MN: “I took on the position as the only hair and makeup artist for an independent film called Arrowhead. I did full hair and makeup for a cast of six.”
HDC: What's one thing people don't know about you?
MN: “I'm a junk food maniac. I just am obsessed with candy, pizza, and fast food.”
HDC: Do you prefer day one or day two hair?
MN: “Day two.”
HDC: How would you define your career in three words?
MN: “Always say yes.”
HDC: What's your favorite song to listen to while working?
MN: “Gimme More by Britney Spears.”
HDC: What's the biggest hair myth you've ever heard?
MN: “That you can change your rate of hair growth with over the counter products or natural treatments.”
Interested in learning more from Newman? Follow him on Instagram @mattloveshair and TikTok @mattloveshair.