in the chair
Stylist Secrets with Rachel Bodt
A RŌZ PROZ FEATURE
Rachel Bodt
Founder of Homecoming Salon
Flatiron, NYC
Rachel Bodt knew she wanted to do hair before she was ten. After high school, she moved to New York City for hair school and built a career spanning editorial work, celebrity color, and years behind the chair. Today, she is represented by Forward Artists and is the founder of Homecoming Salon in Manhattan’s Flatiron neighborhood.
At home, Rachel and her husband are raising their two daughters, Colette and Carmela. At the salon, her approach starts with the person in her chair—and with paying attention to what their hair naturally wants to do.
Tell us about yourself.
My husband and I have two little girls, Colette and Carmela. I’ve known I wanted to do hair since I was about eight or nine years old, so when I graduated from high school, I went to New York City for hair school.
Now I own a salon in Flatiron called Homecoming, where I work with my incredible clients and talented staff that inspire me daily behind the chair. I’m also represented by Forward Artists, and a big part of my career has been in editorial and celebrity coloring.
What’s your philosophy when it comes to hair?
“I honestly love making people feel good. I love hearing what makes someone feel their best, but I also love seeing what their hair wants to do naturally and whether we can incorporate or embrace that.”
— Rachel Bodt, Hair Colorist and Founder of Homecoming Salon
It could be their natural texture. It could be that their hair lifts warm, and we see whether that can become part of their hair story.
What’s your biggest stylist secret?
To really understand your hair and texture, let it air-dry with a light product. Evergreen Style Cream forever!
I think a lot of people misunderstand their own hair. They think it’s too frizzy or that it won’t do something, so they over-style it, use too much product, or go straight to a keratin treatment. I think most people are surprised by how great their natural texture can be.
What are your top three RŌZ products, and why?
Willow Glen Treatment Oil
Every single week, I brush out my curls with my Bonne brush and slather my hair in Willow Glen Treatment Oil. I swear my curls are so thankful and happy.
Evergreen Style Cream
When it’s wash day, I’m down to one styling product, and it’s Evergreen Style Cream. I know it’s not meant specifically for this, but I swear it’s one of the best curly-hair products I’ve ever used.
Santa Lucia Styling Oil
For my refresh, Santa Lucia Styling Oil. I even keep a little one in my makeup bag.
Shop Rachel’s RŌZ favorites
Reporting note
This RŌZ PROZ Q&A features Rachel Bodt, Hair Colorist and Founder of Homecoming Salon, on working with natural texture and her top three RŌZ products.
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