There comes a time in every woman’s life when her hair loses its pulse and needs a little intensive care. It’s these times of emergency when there’s no option but to call a doctor.
For some of Hollywood’s most glamorous leading ladies, that person is none other than Dr.Boogie. We caught up with the busy beauty genius when he was hot off the set of styling model Tocarra Jones to chat about working with Tocarra on the TV One series The Ultimate Merger 2, why he loves styling everyday women, his new hair salon, what he learned as Kimora Lee Simmons’ live-in hairstylist and why he refuses to compromise his personality for TV ratings.
Glamazon Margo: You’re Tocarra’s go-to hair guy on the popular reality TV show Ultimate Merger. How did this opportunity come about?
Dr. Boogie: I’ve known Tocarra (for awhile). I did her first magazine cover coming out of America’s Next Top Model. When it came to the show, we sat down and she said ‘Boogie, I want to do the show, but I’m counting on you to give me a look.’ I love the 50s and her look on the show is all about the 50s. She brought her A-game. It’s work, it’s not bed head, it’s not the messy loose curls. It’s not for the lazy hairstylist at all. I get about an hour and a half to work on her hair.
GM: Did you give her any advice on which guy to pick?
DB: We were her glam squad and she came to us every single minute. We had to keep her strong, she was getting a lot of attention and it was a lot for her. I told her to be strong girl because there’s a lot of sexy men in this competition!
GM: We love that though you have A-list clients, but you also keep the everyday woman in mind!
DB: I came from a battered situation at home so I started to do hair to help women feel good through their situations. Selling the hairpiece to the everyday woman is very important to me because from working with celebrities a lot of women think ‘Boogie, I can’t afford you.’ Yes, I have great clientele, but I’m not expensive. I’m actually more reasonable because I want the everyday woman to experience that quality of hair.
GM: Is this why you created the Boogie’s Secrets clip-in hair extensions line?
DB: I’ve been doing Kimora’s hair for so long and Debbie Allen, LisaRaye and they all had my signature look: long layered ponytails and before Kim Kardashian, the long layered loose curls. I felt the women at home should be given these looks. The thing about these hair pieces is that everything comes in the box. Some boxes have three hairstyles in one kit. My signature product that sells like crazy is the U-Fall and that’s the kit with the natural part in the top. I do custom-made human hair pieces, but I sell synthetic to the masses.
GM: For awhile, you lived with Russell and Kimora Lee Simmon. How did that experience influence you as an entrepreneur?
DB: I lived with Russell and Kimora for seven years. I learned a lot like how to be my own business man. I went to do her hair one time and I pretty much never left. I moved to New York and had the opportunity to live with them.
GM: You were also the go-to guy for rapper Eve for a while and you even created the short platinum blond haircut that we all came to know her by. What was the inspiration for this look?
DB: I told her to cut off all her hair and dye it blonde. After it was done, she hated me! She told me ‘I look like a boy.’ I barely knew how to do makeup but told her to let me put some makeup on her. So, I put it on and we did a photo shoot in black and white because the makeup was so wrong and she loved it. She took off as “The Blonde Bombshell” from there.
GM: A little birdie told me that you’ve opened a beauty salon, called The Beauty Parlor by Boogie’s Secrets. Tell me more about your salon!
DB: I haven’t been available to the public since I’ve lived in Los Angeles. I get letters from people with their heartfelt stories because people know how I feel about doing hair. It’s a 1950s inspired salon that I’m doing. I work privately, and it was something that I wanted to open up so that women could get that real, hands-on experience they wanted from me.
In Beverly Hills they’re frying your hair, burning your hair and charging you a million dollars. I’m reasonable. It’s a nice space. It’s Hollywood, and my whole theme is about bubbles because I feel like hair should be as light as a bubble, so bubbles float all around Hollywood. (laughs)
GM: You were a contestant on Bravo’s reality TV show Shear Genius, and you’ve made several other TV guest appearances as a beauty expert. How do you manage to stay true to yourself with the spotlight always on?
DB: Everyone wants to put me on makeover shows on TV to be loud funny, gay, obnoxious and it’s just not my character. I’m professional. I’m serious. I want them to know how to do their hair and share my experiences and expertise with them. I can be funny, but I’m not hurting people’s feelings and I’m not going in for the kill.
GM: Why do they call you the doctor?
DB: When it comes to disaster, girl, I’ve got the kit! I’m a seasoned hairdresser. That’s the difference between me and other stylists. I’ve been in the union. I’ve studied my craft. I’m in the game to win it. I live and breathe everything hair, fashion and beauty. I’m at the bottom of the barrel and there’s more to do.
Make sure you tune in to the season finale of The Ultimate Merger 2 tonight at 9 p.m. on TV One to see who Tocarra chooses to be her new beau! I’m pretty sure Dr.Boogie has whipped her tresses into some uber-glam looks for our viewing pleasure.
Ciao Bellas,
Glamazon Margo
