Iles Formula Hair Talk welcomes groomer and artist Jessi Butterfield to this month’s Hair Talk.
Social Media : @jessibutterfield
Website: https://www.wschupfer.com/artists/jessi-butterfield-mua
Jessi Butterfield is a New York City-based groomer. An expert at her craft, Jessi is trusted by a prestigious list of clients including Hank Azaria, James Corden, Richard Gere, John Malkovich, Matthew McConaughey, Kurt Russell, Patrick Stewart, and many others. Her work can be found in many publications including Esquire, Interview, and Vogue.
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What would you term as your specialty within your trade?
I specialize in celebrity men’s grooming (red carpet events, movie premieres, media appearances, advertising, etc.) and fashion editorial grooming and makeup.
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What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?
I really enjoy meeting a vast array of people and find endless opportunities to having new experiences and interesting conversations along the way.
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Why did you choose the path of hairdressing and was it easy to fall into this work?
I’ve always loved beauty, but I’m from a very small town. I became obsessed with fashion magazines and with imitating the looks I saw. I didn’t know you could make a career of that, as nobody I knew had any exposure to the fashion world. When I was in college I took part in some local photoshoots and decided I should give it a go. After graduation, I moved to New York City. Initially I came for two weeks, and ended up never going back home! I fell in love with the atmosphere of the city and the collaboration that naturally happens on set—it feels like magic when everyone brings their very best ideas together
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If you had not made the decision to be a hairdresser what would you have been?
I play a game with my husband called “small town job” where we try to determine what our jobs would be if we weren’t in New York. I would probably run a yoga studio or a wellness salon, but nothing has ever seemed quite right… There are advantages to only having a plan A!
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What is your greatest strength?
Flexibility and being able to adapt to an ever-changing environment, and being persistent enough to never quit!
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Your favorite hairdressing tools?
Definitely my hands—especially in a pinch, endless styles are always at your fingertips.
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Tell us about your relationship with Iles Formula. How you discovered us and which formula is your favorite?
I discovered Iles Formula on set through my friend Jerome Cultrera. He decided I desperately needed some of the Finishing Serum Haute Performance and promptly put some in my ponytail. He was absolutely correct; I’ve been obsessed with that particular product ever since. Shortly after, I purchased the shampoo and conditioner, which changed my hair from the first use. I have only used Iles Formula ever since.
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What was the most challenging job you ever made?
Maybe not the most challenging, but one where the stakes were definitely the highest if things ended poorly… I shot Andy Serkis for Arena magazine several years ago. Andy decided to climb out of the ninth-floor window and stand on the outer ledge above Beaver St. in downtown Manhattan. It was raining quite heavily and the ledge was slippery, but he felt like that was the shot. After the photographer had taken several frames, Andy tripped (and we all had a heart attack that we were about to kill Gollum!), but it was back into the window. Thankfully, he was fine, and the magazine selected that shot!
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What was your worst hair moment and why, privately or on set/stage or in the salon?
I’m sure everyone has done this, but when I was four, I decided I wanted bangs (which I have subsequently worn several other times in my life and do enjoy), and to accomplish this, I cut a diagonal line from my right eyebrow to my left temple. My mother then nearly had a panic attack, and the issue was corrected via an emergency haircut to give me baby bangs, à la Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby.
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If you could style anyone’s hair, who would it be and why?
Arnold Schwarzenegger. I had his quote, “Sweat now, shine later,” in my room as a teenager, and I still feel like it’s great advice. They say to never meet your heroes, but I still hope to!
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Where do you pull hair inspiration from?
A combination of books (I have an extensive art book collection that will never be complete) and Museum Mile. I love museums and go on all of my days off.
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Your advice to young hairdressers starting out?
Know that your path is from everyone else’s. Always have an open mind—you never know who you will meet and where your next job will take you.
