The Longhairlovers Interview: Holistic Hair Guru Anthony Morrocco

Famed hairdresser Anthony Morrocco believes that healthy long hair is more than a physical pursuit; it's a spiritual one.

"Long hair is powerful for women. When a woman cuts her long hair, she chops off her goddess energy. Hair doesn't belong to the material world," he continues, "It belongs to the ethereal world, which is why doctors and dermatologists have a tough time with it."

If you're new to the world of holistic hair care, don't let Anthony Morrocco's New Age-speak frighten you. This man knows what he's talking about. Trained under the famous Kenneth of New York in the 1960?s -- a man Morrocco calls "the foremost authority on cutting hair" -- Anthony Morrocco's client list has included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Lauren Bacall, Faye Dunaway, Liza Minnelli and Mia Farrow.

Morrocco joined Kenneth's in 1964 and apprenticed with the master for a full month before ever touching a client. During this time, he learned Kenneth's "blunt snip" cutting technique that left his clients with healthy hair and classic -- never trendy -- styles.

Morrocco became interested in holistic hair care from another Kenneth's employee, a Hungarian woman named Rita.

"Rita was a botanist who made individualized hair care preparations for Kenneth's customers," Morrocco says. "She never shared her formulas with anyone until I made her a deal -- teach me about natural hair care and I'll introduce you to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis." This was an offer Rita couldn't refuse.
After learning about harvesting plants and mixing natural products, Morrocco left Kenneth's in 1968 and spent 2 1/2 years in Europe. He traveled to small town barber shops throughout the English, Italian and French countrysides and learned all about folk hair care techniques and treatments. Another important lesson had to do with lunar cycles.

"There's a famous village in Scotland named Findhorn that's mostly rock, yet the farmers grow the most beautiful fruits and vegetables," Morrocco says. "That's because they work with the ancient moon cycles to plant and harvest when the time is right. They work with love as their chief feature in sewing and harvesting their crops."

His interest piqued in moon cycles, Morrocco headed to Brazil to study lunar charting with a shaman, or holy man. There he learned about a special astrology for cutting hair.
"If I had told people in the village that I was getting a hair cut, they would have looked at me like I was crazy if it wasn't the right date for a hair cut," Morrocco says.

In addition to cutting hair by the moon cycles, the Brazilian villagers also picked and bottled plants and herbs for hair care preparations using the lunar calendar.

Today, Morrocco bottles his own line of holistic hair care products that are "blended and bottled using the ancient farmers' moon cycle." The ingredients include natural soapbark from Chilean evergreen trees, organic liquefied crystals from India and Tibet, and southwestern white healing clays. Many of his clients include homeopathic medical doctors and detox clinics with patients looking to completely eliminate chemicals from their lives.

If you're interested in exploring holistic hair care, Morrocco says the approach is multi-faceted and includes:

*Using natural products and correct brushing techniques
*Eating an organic diet ("eat live food to produce live cells," Morrocco says)
*Exercising for scalp and blood stimulation
*Using eastern astrology
*and balancing your emotional and spiritual life.

Morrocco says these holistic "spokes in the wheel" work together to create long, luxurious hair. The next important factor is finding the right stylist to help you on your quest.
First, he says, when you see a woman with gorgeous long hair, compliment her and find out who does her hair. Next, schedule a consultation with the stylist and trust your instincts.

"Don't give hairdressers too much power," Morrocco warns. "You want a very concerned person working on your hair," not someone who rushes you around or who wants to cut your hair their way without concern for your wishes.

"And there should never be a charge for a consultation," Morrocco says. Make sure you tell him or her that you want to grow thick, long hair and ask about trimming methods to help you achieve your goal.

Morrocco says that most women who think they can't grow long hair really have a problem with breakage, not growth.

"60 to 90% of hair breakage occurs from the bottom," he says. With the right type of trimming and care, this breakage can be prevented, which will allow hair to finally achieve a desired length.

For more information on Anthony, visit www.morroccomethod.com