Apologies in advance if this seems insulting to anyone... I'm not knocking what some people do, I'm just saying it isnt for *me*

That being said, I'm looking around in my local area on MM, for a basic stylist.
Someone who can do pretty, catalog-worthy hair styles.
Yet when I do a search for stylists within 25 miles of me, there are very few of them, and when I look at their portfolios,
they are very... shall we say.... Avant-Garde?

Are all the stylists on here in the greater Los Angeles area looking to be in high fashion, with the crazy out there hair, so nice-for-normal-people hair is just too boring?
Am I looking in the wrong place, or with the wrong search terms, or... what?
Could anyone give me a pointer, please?

Hey there, would you mind sharing some of the "out there" stylists you've encountered online?   Just so happens I'm looking for some crazy stylists.

One I use and recommend:  http://www.eugeneconde.com/main.html  ( MM# 29696 ).

Was recommended by some LA models who also use him,  I've asked "Who they'd want for their MUAH?" and they want him.

Won't be cheap given he spends about first hour on MUAH and maybe added eyelashes as well.  Second session is quicker since primary is done.  Model may reduce her hourly rate if he is used too so it might be a wash.

Is this for pay or trade?
I'm in Orange County.

Keep in mind, a lot of stylists put their most out there stuff in their portfolio.  That doesn't mean we don't do other things too. The out there stuff often shows off the range of our skills better. It never hurts to ask!

I agree with Allison, most artist especially in the hair / makeup world like to put there most crazy stuff of there portfolio. I would reach out to someone you like to see if they would be willing / can do basic hair. For my hair final we did bridal and avant garde style the one I show to people post is my avant garde. If I can get both side of someones medium length hair to stick up I guess I just assume you know I can do the basics. Hope that helps.

A few people have explained to you that their portfolio exists to show artistry, inventiveness and range. It is assumed that they can do basic hair.

I get great talent for projects. And have had great talent want to work with me and the toughest thing is scheduling.

I would suggest trying to learn about the world of people who you want to work with.

Talented people like to be respected.

When I shoot personal projects I work with hair and makeup and we discuss what works for the model, with the model sometimes telling us what doesn't look good on her. And yes, I have already sent hair suggestions and worked up the shoot concept and idea but as a hairstylist, an mua, are often very creative, it is cool to hear what they think works.

There are MANY talented stylists in the LA area. Certainly enough to fill at least a small town. The best ones I know of are Eugene Conde, who is both an MUA and a hair stylist and has separate profiles for each, and Nancy Morales, who lives just south of Long Beach in Costa Mesa.

Kay Matthews, who is based in Seattle, also spends much of her time working in LA.

All of them can do basic hairstyles to very elaborate ones. Nobody starts out doing elaborate avant-garde styles. However, they do tend to show their boldest, most original work in their portfolios – to show what they can do beyond the basics.

Those three are also fairly pricey. However, if one of them isn’t available when your shoot is scheduled, I’d trust anyone recommended by any of them.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/heuge

https://www.modelmayhem.com/HairTattler

https://www.modelmayhem.com/njmhair

https://www.modelmayhem.com/375523

Based on her portfolio, I’d say that Allison, who posted above, also in Costa Mesa, is also eminently qualified for your project.

Los Angeles stylist I am. Check out my page. Paid work only though.

Teamwork is a huge part of any photoshoot, so first, you'll want to let the hair stylist know what type of aesthetic you're interested in. One reason hair stylists often showcase more elaborate styles because it's an excellent way to capture an agency's attention when seeking representation. This doesn't mean that they don't have a plethora of classic-yet-simple hairstyles in a folder on their computer... they just don't choose to put those images on their site.

You can get around this is by starting out with something nice and simple (such as soft curls, or straight sleek hair) which would be great for your portfolio. Later, the hair stylist can build up to something more avant-garde and you can do some beauty shots for his or her portfolio.

This is an update to my original opinion on this. A few months ago I received an email from an art director in Dallas checking my availability for a shoot. If I was available, I had the gig and he would call me with the details.The day of the shoot I had asked him how he found and why he hired me?  He said because I was the only one that wasn't a wedding makeup artist. All he was finding was makeup artists that specialized in weddings with some production. He wanted someone that understood lifestyle. About a week later, I was booked on a magazine shoot for that same reason. It confirmed what I already know and try to tell people, advertize for what you want. Advent guard and over the top images are great but you could be leaving a lot of money on the table. I suggest you look for a makeup artist that can do hair instead of a hairstylist. And advertize you are looking for someone that does lifestyle. 

I love when a stylist goes over board selling their talents. They become less competition for me. Many years ago when I would send comp cards out looking for work, one art director in particular called me immediately after she opened my promo packet. She hired me on the spot. Why? Because after looking at countless comp cards with over the top hair and makeup to empress, she said "oh my god no one has ever sent me a card with a man's image on it". My card reflected work I had done and still do. It's called lifestyle. That's my niche. And for a long time I was the go to hair and makeup artist in south Florida for it. I worked with that director for more then three years never looking for work. She kept me busy. When she switched agencies, I went with her. In fact I saw her Sunday, she and her husband (amazing photographer) are my hair clients.  There's a lot to be said for less is more. Rick

Never had a problem finding stylists before in LA.  Money pretty much talks as far as stylists go.  It's a ton of work for them to do pulls and very expensive as far as wardrobe goes.  Good luck!

Hi! My name is Gabriela, I live near Long Beach and looking to work with local photographers & models. I’m a HMUA. I do classic hairstyles, updos, natural , glam makeup.
You can see some of my work on IG @intuitivebeautybygabriela

Thank you

Im recently licensed and wouldnt mind on occasion graveling to both model and/or style your other models hair. I do hair, nails, facials, and barbering services under the 3 different licenses.

Keep in contact with me.

[email protected]

It is all about which brain you pick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-1zr_wgC1E

"I'm looking around in my local area on MM, for a basic stylist.
Someone who can do pretty, catalog-worthy hair styles....
...Am I looking in the wrong place..."  Affirmative Philip... You'll not find much here now...

Mayhem is now merely a vast wasteland of soft porn and but a shadow of it's Zenith at over a decade ago.
When MM raised the minimum age for membership from 16 to 18 there was a mass exodus of Agency Worthy (and seeking) Talent that abandon MM for other more relevant social media sites..

Not wanting to waste either of our time please let me cut to the chase.
Your MM book does not speak of Publication Quality (Commercial Level) Catalog work...
Most importantly your book lacks tear sheets... this alone is a red flag for me.

Did you present your Team Members with a Mood Board prior to your sessions?
This is where any issues over visual statements are clarified and accepted...

btw as a makeup artist I simply wouldn't consider answering your casting call for want of publication...
Yes I hold a Cosmetologist License from the State of Maryland (Allows me to work in commercial Salons)
Wedding Events comprise the Lion's Share of my revenue stream in that paradigm (enough said)

Best advice? Get off Mayhem and build a large following on IG... It's there you will find most of the Top Commercial Talent. Please keep in mind that unless you have over 500 followers on IG you are virtually invisible.

Where are the talented Hair Stylist? On Wedding Wire! Period... Certainly not on Mayhem.
That is where the Lion's Share of their revenue comes from... Catalog work even at the Agency Level is typically for Trade Only (with Published Photographers) and with a promise of Tear Sheets for Team Members Books.  Until you're Published you'll not likely be able to garner any interest from Agency Bookers.

Philip at the zenith of our craft it is all about Team Effort...
Build a Loyal Team of Highly Talented Members Philip....
Also the sooner you accept the brutal reality that a "Photographer" is merely one member of a Team (no less or more important than other Team Members) at the Zenith of the Craft... then the more likely you will be able to take your own individual efforts to the next level.

Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
Cheers! Thomas

Back when I was shooting a lot, I typically had a specific wardrobe planned for my shoot. Then I'd pick a model, and then look for a H & MU artist. I would send the MUA a link to my model and a few images of the MU look i envisioned and how I also wanted her hair. Often it was avant-garde as that's my style but there is no reason you couldn't do the same for what you want.

I never assumed a MUA couldn't do looks other than what I wanted, and often they would give input, along with the model,on what might work better. Always listen to your team members.

I wound up with 4 very talented, local H & MU artists in the DC area who I could depend on.

Talk to your prospective talent.