In February 2012, Elisha set out to bring home the gold. After months of planning the right concepts and sketching the prefect story board. She then took to social media, Facebook and Model Mayhem to find the right model. “Finding the right model is key to winning”, explains Elisha. “It takes time to plan everything down to the right accessory and the winning outfit.”  After reviewing the rules the several time Elisha developed a winning concept, for the “The Most Creative Total Look” and the” Grab Bag Competition” bringing home both 1st Place trophies.

Elisha, also won 2nd Placed in August 2011 at Bronner Bros Hair Show United Healthcare Fitness Competition. Follow the link to see photos:

http://www.bronnerbros.com/shows/magazines/fantasy/

In January, Elisha Heard received her annual Artistic Educator training for Matrix in Tampa, FL. Matrix “Imagine All You Can” annual training teaches all educator the Matrix trends, forecasting the new design for the upcoming year. This years hair color and hair cutting trend is Urban Art, it entails methods of stenciling, knit bombing, graffiti,————–.

This training brought over 500 educators together for a common cause, to educate hairstylist around the world. Matrix new product line Total Results and Biolage unveiled their new products, Repair and Color Care Therapie. Repair ————–.  Color Care Therapie, has a professional low pH formula with Orchid + UV Complex to moisturize and protect the depth, tone and shine of color-treated hair without paragons or synthetic dyes. We also received samples of Design Pulse, Mega Dust. Its a lightweight dust that vanishes onto hair giving it the an ultimate lift.

Defining Beauty’s Elisha Heard Tapped Into Hairstyling and Makeup For “Mama Mama, Oh Mema!” Play

Hinesville, Georgia, USA – Hairstylist-Makeup artist, Elisha Heard of Defining Beauty Salon Suites was tapped to do hairstyling and makeup  for the casts of the internationally acclaimed gospel play Mama Mama, Oh Mema! held at the Live Oak Church of God last November 10, 11, and 12.

The stage play is about family unity and reconciliation back unto God despite the challenges of life. But behind-the-stage, the real challenge was how to make the some of the cast members look convincingly old and convincingly young. But being a renowned hairstylist and makeup artist, the task was a breeze. The ensemble showcased a dramatic character transformation literally in the hands of Elisha and her team.

When asked for her inspiration on the casts’ hair and makeup, Elisha humbly comments, “I was given the story of each character by the producer/writer, Shatrece Buchanan, of the play and what she felt each character should look like.  From there I took that information and made each character as real as possible with hair and makeup. I added extra hair and dramatic makeup from what she asked for because in theater you have to do more to get the audience to believe in the role that’s being played under bright lights.” She added, “To do the old characters I used colored hairspray for their hair and carefully sprayed and used other tools to make the color faded as if it was realistic. One of them had a mustache and beard that was purchased that I sprayed white to make him look 80 years old.  There was also a character that played a female detective and a man, we used a wig to switch her between characters. Another character was a wife and a police officer and she wore wigs also to separate her two characters.”

The play was warmly applauded by the audience not just by the story, but on the entirety of the production from lead actor, scoring, stage design and, of course, the casts’ styling. In fact, even the casts themselves loved how their portrayal literally transformed.

From Trachel Greene, cast member, Mama Mama, Oh Mema!: Elisha’s work was Great! We have been hearing people telling us all day about how they thought some of the old characters were “really” old. She was professional and had a knowledge of everything that the Director envisioned and how to bring her vision to life. I feel she did an outstanding job. I look forward to working with her again in the future.

“I loved it…. Everyone that I spoke with after the play really could not believe the transformation. Those who didn’t know actually thought I was an older man. She really did an exceptional job and I loved her professionalism.” From stage actor and cast member of Mama Mama, Oh Mema!, Derek Jones.

This fall, Liberty Life Magazine’s Women in Power issue, Elisha Heard won 2011′s Best Hairstylist honor. Here is an excerpt:

With her no-nonsense, honest attitude, Elisha Heard is a cut above when it comes to hair. Elisha is an award-winning stylist with expertise in a wide range of hair care methods and has even developed her own hair extension technique. She truly cares about her clients and helping them to maintain the health and beauty of their hair.

How Elisha won?

Simple. First, the nomination. Second, the voting process. And lastly, the tally. The readers of Liberty Life magazine and Coastal Courier have chosen her for the coveted title. And we are very grateful for those who have voted for her. Elisha is truly an amazing woman who can work wonders on every type of hair.

 * Liberty Life is the lifestyle magazine for those living, playing and exploring the Coastal Georgia region of Liberty County, Georgia. They bring to life the stories of the people, events and community issues that matter most to readers. * Coastal Courier is Liberty County, Georgia’s newspaper bringing readers news and information about the community.

The event was held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta between August 7 and 10, 2010.