Interview with Laura Kiorkis Master Stylist at Gemini of Chicago

When I met Laura is high school ten years ago, I knew she had style. She was the one that would rescue all of her friends from bad hair days, help style our hair for dates, and homecoming dances. She just had a knack for hair and knew exactly what to do. This talent blossomed into a career when she decided to take her craft to the next level by attending Pivot Point International. I got the chance to catch up with my long time friend Laura Kiorkis to see where her life has taken her...

You’re the head of your own salon, Gemini of Chicago - Tell us about your background and how you got to where you’re at right now.

Well, the first time I picked up a pair of scissors I was two years old and I cut my twin sister's bangs. Since I can remember, it has been a passion of mine. A year out of high school I made the decision to go to beauty school at one of the most respected schools in the industry, Pivot Point International. Right out of school I joined the team at Royale of London hair salon in Chicago where I worked under Jennifer Malko, the woman who taught me most everything I know. After about two years I made the decision to move to Arizona where I opened Gemini of Chicago Hair Salon with my mother Sonia and my twin sister Lisa. It has been two years since and we are growing faster than I ever imagined.

Lisa Kiorkis and Laura Kiorkis from Gemini of Chicago

Do you have any plans to go back to Chicago?

I am in and out of Chicago on a regular basis for work such as weddings etc, but if I ever did come back it would be back and forth from AZ and Chicago. There is no place in the world like Chicago so I would love to do more work there such as being a platform artist once a year at the Midwest Beauty Show.

What’s the difference between your clientele in Chicago verses Arizona?

Being that Chicago has been a long time metropolitan city, the clientele is more fashion forward and are willing to pay for a good hairdresser. However, Phoenix is growing so quickly with people coming from metropolitan cities that the clientele is quickly catching up to the same ideas.

What’s one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to their hair?

Buying the wrong shampoo and conditioner!!! It can strip your 200 dollar color service quickly and ruin the condition of the hair.

What’s the most requested hair cut at your salon? Do your clients ask for a specific celebrity hair cut?

The angle forward layered bob never goes out of style. Victoria Beckham is popular right now and Jennifer Aniston will always be a hair icon short or long

What’s the best ways to style straight hair?

Straight hair usually tends to lack volume and always looks best extra shiny. Its best to start with a great root lifter like Pureology Root Lift, work in a protein rich shine serum like Pureology Shine Max, and blow dry section by section always lifting at the roots aiming the airflow down the hair shaft.

What about curly hair?

Curly hair is a tricky one. Over the years I think I have finally found the right cocktail. After combing in a moisture rich conditioner in the shower, (don't comb after) lightly towel dry scrunch in a mousse (metro3 volume mousse), spray the DAMP hair with hairspray like Alterna Caviar Working Spray and scrunch in gods gift to curls, radical cream by Rusk. Diffuse or air dry.

Are there any new hair color techniques that people should try?

Flashes of color are hot and not a huge commitment for those who like to change often.

Do you see any trends emerging when it comes to cut & color for the fall season?

Chunky is coming back but not zebra stripe chunky....its more of a layering of "plates" of color. It gives multi-dimensional color to any head of hair.

Fall is going to see haircuts are going either super angled with bobs or really long with wispy face framing layers. Bangs are definitely going longer and more soft versus chunky.

Your Hair care Recommendations:

Shampoo/Conditioner for straight hair:

Metro3 Sleek Shampoo/Conditioner

Shampoo/Conditioner for curly hair:

Metro3 Texture

Styling product for straight hair:

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave in Product and Pureology Root Lift

Styling product for curly hair:

Radical Cream by Rusk

Deep conditioner for dry hair:

Hydracure by Pureology

The salon blow-dry always looks sexy, but it’s hard to recreate that at home. Are there any tricks to get that salon blow-dry look at home?

Work in products that suit your hair type, give it a rough blow-dry until it is 80 percent dry (very important to keep from exhausting yourself) blow out your fringe first, section the rest of the hair starting at the nape.

Work your way up making sure to lift the hair from the root and blasting the root with the heat making sure to keep the airflow aimed down the hair shaft for shine. Finish by spraying a light shine spray all over and blasting the hair with the blow dryer to straighten out too much bend in order to update your look. Too much bend looks very Rachel Green during the 1990's.

What are your plans for Gemini of Chicago in the future?

We hope to continue growing in order to spread beautiful hair everywhere one head at a time. Our first goal is to open a much larger location and become completely full service.

Thanks Laura! We wish you the best.