Frederic Fekkai

What's just as hot as bedroom hair? That's right — it's beach waves. Now that we're entering the season(s) of rising temperatures, perhaps you're thinking that a tousled, sexy look is in your near future. Recently, reader Countchocula reviewed Frederic Fekkai Beach Waves ($23), a spray that creates beachy texture in the hair. Here's why she liked it:

I love this product! My hair has natural waves and this product gives me a fresh-from-the-beach look and controls my out-of-control frizz. I recommend it because it doesn't make the hair sticky or stiff, and for a hair product, it smells great. I've run out since I bought a couple of bottles last Summer and I can't wait until Sephora and Ulta stock their shelves with this. The price is definitely worth it.

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Anne Hathaway's alabaster skin, raspberry lips, and pulled-back chignon were a hit last night. I already gave you the details on her classic makeup, and now I've got the how-to on that right-on-trend slick, chic hair. Adir Abergel of Frederic Fekkai styled Hathaway's hair with clean lines and clean texture. Take a look at his technique below:
Apply Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel ($23) from roots to ends. Next, comb hair into a very deep side part and thoroughly dry with a large round brush. Then, gather hair in a low ponytail, applying Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Creme ($23) for shine and texture. Secure with an elastic holder at the nape, and tuck the ponytail underneath. Some bobby pins and hair pins will keep it in place. To complete this old Hollywood look, spray it with Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray ($23).

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Oh, to be a fly on the wall at an event with Frédéric Fekkai and magazine editor Kate Betts. Fortunately for us, Fashion Week Daily buzzed around last week's "Frédéric Fekkai: L'Art de la Coiffure" event.

I love Fekkai, but I can't say I love the high-priced hairstyle trend he helped kick off. That's why I love this little tidbit:

Betts was quick to comment on the price of Fekkai's products as well as his services, noting that he was "very innovative in marketing" and that he was "the first person to charge $200 for a haircut, which is not expensive now but was astronomical then." Fekkai responded, justifying the price. "We are not offering just services," he countered. "The customer feels that we have their interest at heart. I create products that are very efficient." He cited the huge success of his Overnight Hair Repair (price: $195) as evidence that people are willing to spend money on quality hair products. "Is it a French phenomenon that you raise the price of everything?" Betts asked in jest.

Are we sure it was in jest? Monsieur Fekkai is as talented as he is charming, but thanks to him, lots of city girls now spend $100 for a haircut. (Last year, I walked into the salon, looked at the pricelist, and slunk out feeling cheap.) Would you have had the guts to ask him about his high prices, even in a friendly way?

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Frederic Fekkai can attribute his colossal success not only to his talents, but to his head for business. He knows his clientele well, and his extensive expansion plans reveal that he's hitting the mark (rather, the jackpot) on each new development. He has salons on Fifth Avenue in New York City, Soho, Beverly Hills, Melrose Place, Dallas, Palm Beach, St. Barth's, and yesterday, he opened a brand-new space in Greenwich, CT at 2 Lewis Court.

This high-class suburb is a great location for anyone who lives near Manhattan but doesn't want to deal with the hassle of the city. The 2,100-square-foot salon has 10 styling and color areas, a mani/pedi corner, and a washing room in the back. The decor is described as "homey" with big leather couches and dark floors. Also, I hear that the Laura Mercier makeup station (present in other salons) has been swapped out for Chantecaille (score for them, these ladies are big-ticket spenders).

It doesn't seem like Mr. Fekkai is slowing down anytime soon. He just sold his company to Procter & Gamble and is planning to open two more salons in the posh New York Mark Hotel and in San Francisco later this year.

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Last week, I ducked into Warren-Tricomi salon for a cut with Christine Symonds. Oh my gosh, I love her — she's fun, she listens, and she gave me the coolest haircut I've had in years. To maintain the style at home, I have to use a flat iron, but I couldn't get it to look quite as good.

Enter Frederic Fekkai Coiff Contrôle Ironless Straightening Balm ($25). It's up for a CEW Beauty Award, and all I can say is, it deserves to win. It smells fantastic, which is a plus. But the real draw is its smoothing, straightening power. When applied before blow-drying, it stops pesky flyaways and makes hair look sleek. I like to cheat and put some on dry hair before using a flat iron. The result is a completely wave-less, cuts-like-glass straightness that looks intimidatingly cool.