From DallasVoice.com
Hair-do well
By Daniel A. Kusner - Life+Style Editor
Jun 26, 2008 - 3:55:49 PM
Oak Lawn resident Daniel Lewis gives ‘Shear Genius’ some Dallas style
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| BRUSH UP: Lewis says the real tool of his trade isn’t a pair of scissors. It’s all about a Centrix Technique 450 Thermal Brush. - DANIEL A. KUSNER/Dallas Voice |
This week, Dallas can be proud of its big ol’ stereotypical hair. Local
beauty engineer Daniel Lewis just won the first elimination challenge
on “Shear Genius,” Bravo’s hairstyling version of “Project Runway.”
In Wednesday’s debut episode, Lewis faced two tasks: cutting while
blindfolded (he placed third), and crafting a Wilma Flintstone-inspired
beehived updo, which he won, giving him immunity for the next
challenge.
It seems odd that Lewis would expose himself to the horrors of reality
television — a genre that constantly rewards bad behavior. His career
trajectory appears to be going through the roof: After two years of
majoring in interior design, he dropped out of Florida State University
to get his cosmetology license. By the time he was 22, Lewis had
already had opened his own salon in Tallahassee. In 2006, he moved to
North Texas to open Green Peridot, a 20-station upscale salon in
Frisco.
Last Friday, Lewis explained that he had to wedge his Dallas Voice
interview into a packed schedule that included styling the winner of
the Miss Frisco pageant before he headed off to New York for a “Shear
Genius” party. Some clients pay almost $300 for an appointment with
Lewis’ scissors.
At this stage in his career, wouldn’t competing on a reality show be a step backwards?
“Not at all,” Lewis says. “I see it as a new experience. And it’s not
like I’m bored. But I love TV. And I especially love reality TV.
Believe me — I know how awful hairdressers can be. But I want to show
that you don’t have to be like …” Lewis curls his fingers into an
attack position and growls like a feral cat.
Since he’s only 29, Lewis’ timing might be perfect for joining the
ranks of reality TV. And the cameras do a good job at capturing his
outgoing and effervescent personality. While he’s bound to an ironclad
contract to not reveal details about how he fared on the show, Lewis
assures that he stayed in the competition for a “long time.”
Dallas actually has two reasons to tune in to “Shear Genius:” State
Thomas salon owner Matthew Tully is also competing, and the only thing
Tully loves more than his scissors is his wife.
But Lewis — a gay Oak Lawn resident and Cathedral of Hope member — may
be the biggest civic promoter of local culture. In person and on the
show, he prides himself in “styling Dallas hair.”
Being a male who has never forked over more than $20 on a buzzcut, Lewis fills me in on what “Dallas hair” culture is all about.
“You know what I mean, when a client takes their hairdresser with them on vacation,” Lewis explains.
What extravagantly indulgent universe does Lewis live in? Is he talking about superstars like Paula Abdul or Paris Hilton?
“No, normal people. Listen, I moved to Dallas because I appreciate the
conservative Southern culture here. But also, Dallas is a very
financially secure city,” he says.
Oh, he means he’s caters to “the rich wives biz.”
Perhaps oil baron society has some life left in it. And Dallas is hot
and humid, so it takes a real pro to keep these ladies from looking
ghetto.
“Dallas hair is beautifully styled and professionally blown out,” Lewis
explains. “Sometimes that means a bit too much hairspray, but this
bitch is going to roll home in her husband’s Bentley and maybe do the
pool boy in the afternoon. And I would catch all kinds of hell if one
of my clients showed up to an event and was photographed with their
hair looking all flat,” Lewis says.
Who represents Dallas hair the best?
“Jessica Simpson,” Lewis says. “She’s always professionally blown out. And you’ll never find her in a scrunchy.”
Who has the worst hair?
“Britney! It’s just horrible and inexcusable,” Lewis says while slamming his fist on my office armchair.
However, after he finished the five-week “Shear Genius” shoot, Lewis had a come-to-Jesus hair experience.
“After I got back from Los Angeles, I had a real Britney moment and
just shaved it all off,” Lewis says. “I felt like I needed a change.
And it helped. It was weirdly liberating.”
TUNE IN, APPOINTMENTS
New episodes of “Shear Genius” air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo.
Daniel Lewis’ salon, the Green Peridot, is located at The Shops at Starwood,
6959 Lebanon Rd in Frisco,
469-362-7980.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition June 27, 2008.
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