Checking in with Shear Genius’ Nicole Obert
By Denise Tong
On the most recent episode of Shear Genius, Bravo’s competitive hairstyling series, Season 2 contestant Nicole Obert earned a spot in the finals by winning a challenge to give twins two distinct looks. Wednesday, August 27 marks the season finale, where she will face off against two other stylists to be named “Shear Genius,” win $100,000, and get the opportunity to style hair for an Allure magazine shoot.
A stylist who has placed highly in national hair competitions, Obert spends her days as a member of the Academy team at Manhattan’s Arrojo Studio, led by acclaimed stylist Nick Arrojo. On occasion, she travels around the country with her colleagues to conduct sessions at major hair shows.
With the finale just a few days away (video preview below), Obert talked to Current Vine about the series and her future plans.
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CV: Why did you try out for the show?
NO: I tried out for the show because Nick, my boss, came into work one day and said, “Hey Nicole, Shear Genius is casting a second season. I think you’d be great; you should try out.” And I thought to myself, “Last season was pretty bad, so if they’re doing another one, it must be better…so why no try out?” So I did. [Plus] getting my name out into the world of hairdressing at such a young age is key.
CV: What has it been like to watch yourself on the small screen?
NO: I almost feel like it was a home movie that I made with really good editing skills. I can rewind and watch it over and over. So it’s crazy.
CV: Have you been surprised by anything you’ve seen or by what other contestants have said?
NO: I’m not suprised by anything at all. People can say that I’m “green” all they want, but the truth of the matter is, the people who doubted me got eliminated. Yeah, I’ve got a lot to learn, but I also know a lot more than some people.
CV: Do you keep in touch with any of the other contestants?
NO: I’m great friends with Charlie and Paulo and I talk to Dee every now and then.
CV: How would you describe your overall experience on the series?
NO: It was unforgettable. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s the best thing I’ve done in my career—besides working for Arrojo—to date.
CV: Can you talk a bit about your start in hairstyling?
NO: I got into hairstyling because I couldn’t afford to go to a special effects makeup school. My mom told me to start out doing hair. I signed up and my first semester teacher told me I sucked. I said to her, “Watch this.” And here I am.
CV: Who are your styling icons?
NO: My styling icons are Nick and Lina Arrojo. They have been such great inspirations to me. They have been so supportive and I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did without them and all the other master stylists who give their time to teach me what I know.
CV: Describe your biggest personal hair disaster.
NO: The first time I cut all my hair off. I looked like a little old lady. I felt so ugly.
CV: What is the best hair advice you ever received?
NO: If you have a good haircut, it will style itself. If it doesn’t look good wet while it starts to air-dry, there’s something wrong.
CV: What do you love most about what you do?
NO: The fact that I can change somone’s life in one haircut. If someone looks great, they feel great. And I get to do that: make people feel great every day.
CV: Tell us what you’re working on now.
NO: I have so many things going on, and am so fortunate to be where I am in my life. Arrojo has a yearly fashion week show called Arrojo Underground; I’m on the team for that. I’m on Allure.com for their Style of the Month, which is an honor, to say the least. Denver Fashion Week has asked [fellow Season 2 contestants] Charlie, Daniel, and I to do a Shear Genius segment for it. [There's also] the Wella 2008 Trend Vision Competition, which I hope to be accepted into, and I’m working on becoming a platform artist for Wella very soon. Also, you can keep up to date with things at my new Web site, which is launching this week: www.NicoleObert.com.
Photo courtesy of Bravo.
