Curls, Confidence & Cutting Edge: Halley Brisker + Naeemah LaFond On Defying Hair Norms

What do radiant curls, fearless styling, and boundary-breaking hair care have in common? According to top stylists Halley Brisker and Naeemah LaFond, it all starts with a healthy foundation. As ambassadors of OLAPLEX’s bold new campaign, Designed to Defy, the duo is bringing their expertise in textured hair and styling to the spotlight—proving that curls can be cut, styled, and celebrated without compromise.

In this Q&A, we chat with Halley and Naeemah about curly hair care, cutting through misconceptions in the salon chair, and how OLAPLEX’s science-driven products are empowering stylists and clients alike to push past limits—and look good doing it. —Noa Nichol

Halley Brisker

The “Designed to Defy” campaign positions healthy hair as the ultimate canvas—how does that philosophy show up in your styling work with stars like Nicola Coughlan and Eve Hewson?

Foundational hair health is at the core of what I do and what I have always done. I would actually say my work mostly focuses there as opposed to trend lead work. For this, it is important to have the support of well crafted tools and products so that I can ensure hair health is at the forefront of my work. Healthy hair is the story I want to tell with my work because at the heart of it, storytelling is what I love to do.

When creating editorial or red-carpet looks, how do you protect the hair’s health while achieving high-impact results that may require heat or structural styling?

The first stop on any hair protection journey is about understanding what protection your tools and products can offer you. I always ensure that the products I use during the process can help me restore, repair, and protect while I go about crafting looks. Whether I am using the No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Serum, the epic No.7 Bonding Oil or the Volumizing Blow Dry Mist, I know that I have at the core, care, and protection while I heat style.

How has OLAPLEX transformed your toolkit and creative freedom as a stylist? What possibilities has it unlocked for you behind the chair or on set?

To be supported by a groundbreaking brand like Olaplex would naturally transform any stylists’ work and that is absolutely my experience. Bond building technology, pioneered by Olaplex, has allowed me to push the boundaries in terms of what I can ask my clients to expect from their services or journey with me. A standout for me is the level of finish and shine I can now achieve in just one session together before we even talk about maintenance!  

You’re known for effortless glamour—what are your go-to techniques or products for achieving that signature look without compromising hair health?

All of my finishing work is created using natural bristles on my tools/brushes and this is really important for how I lay down the hair cuticle. This directly aids the work beneath the surface that Olaplex does, especially when I have my clients on a cleansing/maintenance regimen. Texture is also really important to me but crucially it cannot dampen the natural shine to the hair. I love to use Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo to add some texture and plump to lived-in and naturally glamorous styles.

In your view, what’s the relationship between a great cut, the right styling products, and long-term hair resilience? How do you strike that balance?

Sometimes understanding how to strike that balance comes down to an innate knowing, feeling, or understanding which essentially comes from years of repetition in your field; the old adage “10,000 hours”. Beyond that though, when that holy trinity you mention is in accord or balance it not only falls and moves right but it also compliments face shapes and features and can lift your whole spirit! That is something I love about this job. Condition is so important though and Olaplex’s bond building technology allows me to ensure my clients can expect foundational hair health to be taken care of so that my work with crafting styles for them is given the best platform possible.

Naeemah LaFond

Caring for textured and curly hair requires a nuanced approach—how does OLAPLEX support the strength and elasticity needed for natural curls to thrive?

Natural hair that’s been color-treated or exposed to heat is especially vulnerable because it’s already more fragile by nature. In curls and coils, that damage shows up quickly through breakage, dryness, or loss of definition. OLAPLEX’s bond-building technology works at the molecular level to repair and rebuild the hair’s internal structure. It’s not just about cosmetic shine- it’s about restoring the elasticity and strength needed for curls to thrive, even after chemical or thermal stress. For my clients with textured hair, OLAPLEX has been a game changer in preserving both the health and integrity of their curl pattern.

What are the most common misconceptions about caring for afro-textured hair, and how does education—paired with the right products—empower your clients to embrace their texture fully?

The real gap isn’t clients embracing their texture, it’s stylists having the education and skills to properly care for all textures, especially afro-textured hair. When stylists are trained in the science, structure, and needs of textured hair, they not only deliver better results but also empower their clients with accurate information. That creates a ripple effect: clients become more proactive about maintaining the health of their own hair. With the right knowledge and tools-like OLAPLEX’s bond-building system-stylists can shift the textured hair experience from frustration to confidence, both in and out of the salon.

You’re a powerful voice for representation in the industry. How do you see OLAPLEX’s commitment to textured hair as part of its “Designed to Defy” message?

“Designed to Defy” speaks to breaking industry norms-and that includes challenging the outdated idea that textured hair care is niche or secondary. OLAPLEX has made real investments in textured hair education and inclusive innovation. To me, that’s a defiant act in an industry that historically didn’t prioritize textured hair at all. It aligns with the work I do every day to ensure that textured hair isn’t an afterthought, it’s a standard.

For curls and coils, maintaining moisture and bond strength is key—how do you incorporate OLAPLEX into your routine to support long-term curl health and definition?

I’m a big believer in simplicity and ease when it comes to haircare routines-especially for natural hair. I gravitate toward products that help me to lean into that mindset. The OLAPLEX 4-in-1 Moisture Mask has become a staple for me because it truly cuts down my detangling time on wash day, which is a game changer. At the same time, it’s repairing the damage that can happen during the week from heat styling, so it’s a win-win. It gives me both moisture and strength in one step, which is exactly what curls and coils need to stay healthy and defined.

What does it mean to you, personally and professionally, to help clients feel seen, celebrated, and confident in their natural texture?

It means everything. As a young hairstylist there weren’t many examples of textured hair being treated with reverence in fashion or beauty. So every time a client sits in my chair and feels celebrated for exactly who they are-it’s a full-circle moment. I’m not just styling hair, I’m helping rewrite a narrative that has long excluded many. That’s powerful work, and I carry it with pride.