MakeUp.com: How did you become a stylist and why? Stephen: Styling hair was an interest I always had and grew to realize I had a natural gift: As a child, I practiced on my mother and sister and continued evolve as a stylist. I came to New York to work freelance for fashion magazines, styling for advertisements and editorial. I later opened my salon?and here we are now! MakeUp.com: What inspired you to start the line? Stephen: I have worked with all types of hair, both in my salon and on photo shoots and I always found that I had to use multiple products to achieve one thing: healthy beautiful hair. I was never satisfied with what was out there, and because I truly believe a beautiful hairstyle can only be possible when starting with healthy hair, I decided to create my own line of products in which each of the ingredients that touch the hair encompasses my concept of beauty and the most innovative technologies. All this to give extraordinary shine, volume, and simply the most luxurious hair you have ever had. MakeUp.com: Who are some of your clients? Stephen: Throughout my career I worked with women and men from all walks of life, and that makes my job more interesting... but I've been fortunate to work with some of the most beautiful women in the world, such as Cindy Crawford, Maria Shriver, Brooke Shields, Kristin Davis, and Ashley Judd, among others. MakeUp.com: What are some tell-tale signs of sun damaged hair? Stephen: The first thing you will notice is that the hair is very dull, lackluster. Hair that has been damaged by the sun is also very dry, brittle, frizzy, lifeless and full of split ends. MakeUp.com: What would you recommend for dry and brittle hair? Stephen: Use a deep conditioning product, such as my Deep Treatment Hair Mask once a week. For extremely damaged hair, use the Mask as much as each time or every other time you wash your hair. As hair improves, you can use the Mask less frequently. In addition, use the Hydro Repair Mist every day, before blow-drying. You can also use the Hydro-Repair Mist in-between blow-drying if you need to condition hair-- use 2 to 3 spritzes on ends to tame fly-aways. Stephen Knoll Deep Treatment Hair Mask Hydro Repair Mist Styling Lotion Stephen Knoll Solid Wax Grooming Pomade MakeUp.com: Do you have any tips to prolong colors? Stephen: Keep your hair healthy by using products that are safe for color treated hair. The formulations of all my products contain ingredients that will help protect hair color to fade. Plus, they really create a lot of shine and they all have healthy benefits for your hair. The healthier your hair, the more shine and luster it will have, which always makes color look better. MakeUp.com: I have fine, straight hair. What can I use to add volume and curls? Stephen: To just add volume, use my Shape Memory Gel: Apply half a dime sized amount of Gel on wet hair at base of the scalp. Blow-dry hair in an upward motion to create lift. Now, if you want real lasting curls, you need to try my new Curling Lotion. Just section off dry or damp hair and apply the Curling Lotion to the ends. Then using a round brush or curling iron, curl to desired style. The result will be gorgeous, long-lasting curls that are soft to the touch and without product residue! MakeUp.com: How do you tame fly-aways? Stephen: Tame fly-aways, by using the Polish or Solid Wax. The Solid Wax will add more texture and give definition to naturally curly hair. The Polish will finish the ends and smooth out fly-aways. Both add moisture due to the Hawthorn Extract, which will help repair hair. MakeUp.com: Will you come out with a hairspray? Stephen: Yes, we are in the process of developing a new hair spray formulation, which should be in the market very soon. MakeUp.com: What are the 3 hair products you cannot live without? Stephen: Because each client has a different hair type, let me answer this in two parts: First, I recommend my Deep Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner and the Deep Treatment Hair Mask for everybody -- even if you hair is not dry or damaged, you should always select shampoos and conditioners that penetrate deep into the hair cortex to deliver nutrients and restore moisture. You might want to space out the uses or use less quantity of these products depending of the condition of your hair. Second, I always suggest specific styling products for each type of hair: For fine, limp, damaged hair, I use the Shape Memory Gel. If you have really curly, frizzy hair, you?ll love the Solid Wax for enhancing your curls, or the Super Smoothing Lotion, if you want to wear your hair straight. For slightly wavy, thick hair with a bit of frizz, always use Hydro Repair Mist and Polish.