In terms of beauty, nothing can beat a great hair day, except maybe a great hair night! KDH loves to leave my hair in the care of Arsen Gurgov at the Louis Licari salon when I have a fancy party to attend.  Arsen’s digits are on speed dial for Manhattan party mavens who love to pair sexy, soft waves with a drop-dead dress.  Even better, Arsen always manages to make you smile, relax and have fun even when you are running late, it’s raining in the city, there are no cabs to be found, and you still haven’t picked up your dress from the tailor! Learn more about our mane man here:

Arsen Gurgov, a master stylist at the renowned Louis Licari salon on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, is the go-to expert for chic, sexy, lustrous hair. Having emigrated from Uzbekistan in his teens, Gurgov landed a coveted assistant’s position at Louis Licari at the age of 17. In less than a decade he built a remarkable career, clearly establishing himself as a leading hairstylist. Celebrated for weekly TV segments in which he deftly transforms outdated, lifeless hair with chic new cuts, Gurgov has also developed a signature, personalized approach to the popular keratin hair-smoothing treatments.

A sought-after trendsetter, Gurgov’s work is regularly featured in the media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post; fashion and beauty magazines Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Self, W, Glamour, and InStyle; TV shows including Today, The View, Good Morning America, and New York Live; and a variety of films directed by Spike Lee, Sidney Lumet, and Todd Solondz.

KDH: Who is your favorite celeb or model you have worked with and why?
AG: I’ve had the pleasure to work with many celebrities, but one of the first was actress Ellen Barkin. She was in the movie Palindromes, and I styled her hair every day. It was an interesting experience because it was away from the salon world and I had to quickly adapt my techniques to what the director wanted. Ellen is beautiful, smart, and outspoken—in the time I spent with her I learned to listen. I always style hair in the way I know is right for the client; but it’s important to first pay attention to her needs and then to communicate what I plan to do.

KDH: Why are women so obsessed with our hair?
AG: Your hair is an essential part of your signature style—it’s even more important than what you are wearing. Sometimes it takes some time and effort to have it look good, but it’s always worth it.

KDH: Is it a myth that men prefer long hair?
AG: Men prefer women who are confident about their style and appearance—whether your hair is long or short, all that matters is that you own your look.

*For more details, go to www.arsengurgov.com; call Louis Licari at 212-758-2090, or follow Arsen on Twitter @arsengurgov, or at Arsen Gurgov on Facebook.

I loved the mermaid hair that Arsen gave me recently for the Pedro Almodovar event at MoMA, so I asked him to share his how-to’s with KDHamptons readers:

KDHamptons: What do you think is the look for sexy holiday hair?
Arsen Gurgov: For sexy holiday hair, you can’t go wrong with a wavy look, as long as it’s polished and not too wild or messy. The waves can be either tight or loose, whichever you prefer, but be sure to use a texturizing product to add luster before you style.

KDH: Which products do we need to get this look?
AG: I prefer to use Kevin Murphy Anti Gravity oil-free volumizer to add texture and to control the curl; the more you use, the more texture it will add.

KDH: Ok so how can we create this look at home?

-Before styling, rub Kevin Murphy’s volumizing cream through your hair from the roots to the ends—it’s best to apply it on soaking-wet hair.
– Air-dry or blow-dry your hair depending on your hair texture and the amount of frizz you have.
-When your hair is dry, take a section of hair, spritz with styling spray, and wrap it around a one-inch-wide curling iron (make sure you include the ends of your hair), wrapping it away from your face. Continue with small sections, being careful to create symmetrical curls.
-Finish with a smoothing cream and a light mist of hairspray.