Portuguese model, influencer, actor, founder, and entrepreneur, Francisco Faria spoke to The Hair Dispatch about his relationship with his hair, his self-care routine, and why he’s such a fan of 212.2 Ricardo Vila Nova Hair Doctors.
How would you define your personality?
I’m very energetic, very friendly, loyal, ambitious and very clumsy. I’m always late, but will always be there.
How would you describe your hair’s personality?
My naturally curly hair definitely has a mind of its own. If I don’t follow a considered haircare routine it can become unruly and in need of reigning in. But I suppose just like life can throw us some bad days, we can also have bad hair days too.
How important is your hair to you?
As a model who has worked in high fashion for brands like Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi, Dior, JW Anderson, and AMI. And who has shot editorials for Vogue, Elle, L’Officiel, among others, my hair is integral to my look. I’d go as far as saying It’s like a business card for me.
How does your hair make you feel?
When my hair looks good it has the ability to elevate my image and help the best parts of my personality shine through. Essentially, when my hair looks good, I feel good.
Why do you invest in regular hair treatments?
The same way I go to the gym to take care of my body, I have regular in-clinic hair treatments to take care of my hair. For me both are mandatory, and part of my self-care ritual.
How often do you go to 212.2 Ricardo Vila Nova Hair Doctors?
One element of working as a model is that my hair has to contend with constant styling. So, I try to go once every two months to keep my hair looking and feeling its best.
How did you feel before a treatment?
As a model and influencer, I travel a lot, I also run Hurricane, a headwear brand and Blue Avenue, a men’s swimwear label – needless to say, I’m always busy and on the go. So, as someone who is generally always in a rush, I do often turn up feeling a bit of a mess.
How do you feel during a treatment?
Once I’m in the treatment chair I begin to feel very zen, very fast. For me it’s like going to a spa and is sometimes the only ‘me time’ I will get in a day.
How do you feel after a 212.2 Ricardo Vila Nova Hair Doctors treatment?
The experience is always so calming that I generally feel super relaxed and fresh post treatment. There’s never a time that I don’t feel that I look much better leaving the clinic than I did entering.
Are you happy with your hair?
I can’t remember my hair ever being this healthy so how could I not be. It’s stronger, smother and shinier than it was before I started having my bespoke treatments.
What has visiting 212.2 Ricardo Vila Nova Hair Doctors taught you about your hair?
I learned that healthy hair starts from the inside, making what you eat, what supplements you take and how you live, as important as what you put on your hair. I’ve also learnt that treatments and products customised to your unique needs is the fastest route to sporting great hair.
What was the most defining moment of your life?
Emancipation. The moment I alone decided what to do with my life and career.
What can’t you live without?
My friends and family, my country, trips, love, hot summer nights, a snowy winter, Sunday runs, honesty, sports, the sea and music.
Who inspires you?
The answer has to be my parents. I got my sense of style and love of fashion from my mother, and both my parents have an entrepreneurial spirit. My mother had her own shop, and my father had a career that I identify with a lot, although it was very different from mine. He was a football player for Sporting, Braga, and the Portuguese national team. But, just like me, who has a specific career (modelling), my father always had an entrepreneurial side, something he passed on to me. In addition to playing football, he was a coach, worked in construction, had a wine business, among other things. He was always very busy, with several businesses, and I learned to be that way too.
What do you collect?
My memories are the best collection I have.
How do you define self-care?
For me the ultimate act of self-care is to live in a way that respects your body.
What are you most proud of?
My career, my values and my relationships.
What’s your favourite object?
I have two watches that hold special meaning to me.
What are you afraid of?
Losing the people that I love, not achieving my personal and professional goals and not being myself.
To discover how to turn your hair health around like Faria, click the link below to book in for a consultation.
