The beauty industry has many facets, with hair care being one of the most significant categories. Everyone has their own unique hair type based on structure, texture, genetics. With so many products on the market, it can be hard to figure out what works best for your hair care.
In an exclusive interview with Garren Defazio, co-founder of R+Co and R+Co BLEU, best known for styling celebrities like Madonna, Linda Evangelista, Blake Lively, and Victoria Beckham, he shares insights into his extensive career and hair care products.
Garren, a hairstylist who began his career in the 1970s, had his breakthrough working with Christie Brinkley on a Vogue shoot. Since then, he has styled many iconic looks, including the Karlie Kloss “chop,” Victoria Beckham’s “Posh Spice” bob, Courtney Love’s grunge glam signature style, and Madonna’s Marilyn Monroe-inspired look in her “Material Girl” music video.
Photo Credit: Michael Del Buono
The beauty industry is filled with ‘hot or not’ trends and ‘dos and don’ts,’ making it challenging to stay true to oneself. Reflecting on advice from Polly Mellen, “We live with our memories, and we move forward,” Garren’s takeaway has been to use everything you’ve learned to continue building. He adds that knowing there will be disappointments but staying resilient is essential. “You have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going at it,” he shares, believing that being present for others is what the journey is all about.
Looking back on his career, Garren recalls some of his favorite memories, such as the Valentino Couture Show at the Metropolitan Museum in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He describes it as “the spark of taking street to the runway,” and his collaborations with Anna Sui and styling supermodels like Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Amber Valletta as pivotal moments. However, his most memorable experience was with Polly Mellen at his first couture show in Paris at Saint Laurent, where he found inspiration for R+Co BLEU’s packaging colors.
R+Co BLEU, launched at the end of 2020, is the luxury extension of R+Co. Garren describes BLEU as “a mix of luxury and couture,” with formulas that enrich, heal, rebuild, and protect hair and strengthen the follicle using BLEU Molecule Technology. The line also prioritizes sustainability with vegan formulas, biodegradable packaging, 100% PCR recycled materials, and seed-infused cards in every carton.
When asked about the secret to his long career and staying current, Garren credits creating a balance between reality and fantasy between salon life, editorial shoots, and ad campaigns. Always keeping an eye on trends, R+Co BLEU is ready for the return of volume and texture. With the past few years dominated by the middle part, the time is coming for lift and texture. R+Co BLEU’s new Ultra Dry Texture Spray offers texture, shine, and volume with a touchable, dry finish, taming flyaways without crunch or flaking.
