Cutting & Styling Tips from Cutting Specialist Edward Tedeschi

It took a little arm twisting but I convinced my amazing hair stylist Edward to sit down and answer a few questions. Edward has over 18 years of expertise in the industry, currently cutting hair at Roux Collective in Paso. Formerly a creative director for Vidal Sassoon, he is recognized as a cutting specialist who masters a wide range of techniques, from the precision of the Vidal Sassoon method to modern loose dry cutting. He is known for creating customized looks tailored to a client’s specific face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle (he tells it like it is). He is also engaging, brutally honest and fun! He understands his clients and their needs. We all look forward to our haircuts. Let’s dive into some pro hair tips cutting specialist Edward Tedeschi ( I love this guy!!).

Tell us a little about your background and how you got into hairstyling?

Well… I grew up in Paso, so it wasn’t a childhood dream of mine ha ha ha! I moved down to Southern California with a band that I was in at 18… we were all broke and still wanted to be cool so I started figuring out how to cut my bandmates’ hair. After a while, we all started to look like Rod Stewart and I figured I should learn a few other haircuts. I started in cosmetology school at 20 years old and thought I was God’s gift to hair, then I got my haircut at Vidal Sassoon and realized I knew nothing about hair. I made the decision that day that is where I would study. I abandoned color and all other chemical services to focus strictly on haircutting. I started my apprenticeship with Vidal Sassoon at the beginning of 2006 in Costa Mesa, California. Upon completion in September 2007, I transferred to the Boston, Massachusetts Sassoon location. I spent just under four years on the East Coast developing my skillset, not only in haircutting but education as well. I was promoted to Assistant Creative Director in 2009. I returned back to Southern California in 2011 and continued with Sassoon until 2017. During that time, I was fortunate enough to travel the world doing hair shows, and educating hairstylists as a Senior Creative Director. In June 2017, I relocated to Paso Robles with my family.

What do you love most about working with hair?

Early in my career, I loved figuring out and showing off what I could do with hair as my medium. As I’ve “matured,” I’ve really enjoyed the collaborative process of enhancing someone’s look and hopefully their day as well.

What are some of your go-to products?

I use the term grip and slip… I use a mousse in most clients’ hair to give me a little bit of structure and grip. Whether the hair is curly or straight, I like some sort of structure and memory for the style. For the “slip,” I combine an oil or heat-protecting cream in the hair to manage texture and add softness. Two products I use on a daily basis are the Mousse Beaufonte and the Elixir Ultime by KÉRASTASE.

Do you have favorite appliances that you recommend (i.e. hair dryers, curling, straightening)?

I have been a Dyson guy on and off for the last five years. I blowdry up to ten times a day.  The Gamma IQ 2 is insanely lightweight, with a nice amount of power as well. I don’t care about the weight, but to the consumer it might be too heavy.

For a straightener, I’ve used the Bio Ionic for the last seven years and I have only had two.  I like the hair to be nice and smooth. I don’t use a lot of different appliances. 

What is your recommended hair routine for normal hair, thinning, gray?

For a smooth effect on the hair, I recommend a wrap dry technique, brushing the hair back and forth around the head with the air from the blow dryer pointed down at the head. This will allow natural movement while smoothing the hair using the natural curve of the head. This will smooth the hair 75% in a rapid rate, allowing touchups via flat iron or curling iron at the end.

For a natural or curly effect to the hair, I always recommend less is more. Apply your products, mousse, curl cream, styling cream, etc. .and try not to touch the hair until it is completely dry. The more you play/scrunch the hair as it’s drying, the more frizz and inconsistencies in curl pattern emerge. Once the hair is dry, feel free to add any extra texture products and shake out as much as desired as the curl pattern and natural wave has formed. A diffuser on the blow dryer is another great way to speed up this process.

As far as thinning, or grey hair, it all depends on the texture. Often the hair can be slightly coarse with Grey, which would result in using a slightly heavier, curl cream or moisturizer in the hair. Thinning hair may be the opposite, pulling back on the creams and working with more of a mousse to enhance body.

How often should we wash our hair?

In short…when it’s dirty! Ask your stylist to assess your hair type/oil production, etc. and get a recommendation of how often to wash. Spoiler alert… you’re probably washing it too much!

What are some common mistakes people make when caring for their hair?

A very common mistake people make when caring for their hair is often choosing the wrong products. Many times we go to a beauty supply store and read the label on the product and think “I have curly hair so I’m going to get this product that says it’s for curly hair.” I recommend products based on performance, not the label on the bottle. Ask your stylist for products that are going to work best with your hair texture and daily routine. Remember…the most expensive products are the ones sitting in the back of your shelf.

What are some of your favorite current popular styles and why? And, what trends do you see emerging?

Luckily, we live in a time of influence outside of television and People magazine. Instead of looking at a celebrity and thinking “ I could have that hairstyle” we are following people online that have real style and real hair similar to ours or what we aspire to have! Lean into suitability and work with your stylist to find a style that enhances your personality and lifestyle. My favorite compliment to receive is “this is the best haircut and it’s the easiest it’s ever been to style!” I can give a lot of people a haircut that they bring me out of a magazine and leave happy… However, if they can’t re-create that style at home, I did them a disservice. I often revert back to my favorite Vidal Sassoon quote, “If you don’t look good, we don’t look good.” Suitability and effortless style that is achievable at home will always be trending (love this!)

Shop Edwards Faves

Thank you for reading Cutting & Styling Tips from Cutting Specialist Edward Tedeschi. Ultimately, great hair is about more than just the time spent in the chair; it’s about the lasting confidence that comes from a great cut. Whether you’re rocking a precision Sassoon-style bob, or a style tailored specifically to your features you need to find a great stylist. For those local to the area, I truly cannot recommend Edward highly enough. Contact him here. Every time I think I want a “new look,” he grounds me with a simple reality check: “Are you willing to put in the styling time?” Since my answer is always a firm “no,” That’s the mark of a true professional he gets it!

You can find all of my current favorite gray hair products here

If you have gray hair you might enjoy these posts (updates coming soon)

Going Gray Here’s How to Do it With Style and Confidence?

My Top Six Haircare Products for Gray Hair