Battle of the Blow-Dryers

Paris Preview: A sample of Israel?s collection styled by Motie Rubin and Rafael Rubin. Image by RAFAEL BEN-DOR

If we’ve learned one thing from Adam Sandler’s Zohan, it’s that you don’t mess with Israeli hairdressers!

Paris Preview: A sample of Israel?s collection styled by Motie Rubin and Rafael Rubin. Image by RAFAEL BEN-DOR

Thirty Israeli beauty stylists carrying an arsenal of hair dryers, nail polish and makeup will head to Paris in October 2010 to compete in the Organisation Mondiale Coiffure World Championship. The competition is run by the OMC, the largest beauty organization in the world, which Israel joined last year.

The Paris-bound contestants were finalists in the first annual OMC Israel Cup, held July 20 in Tel Aviv, where more than 100 nail artists, hairdressers and makeup stylists from around the country battled for the most artful and arguably most outrageous stylings.

Hairdressers fought it out for best street look, bridal style and fantasy design, while nail artists clawed through the competition, creating everything from French/classical nails to 3D design work. Makeup artists didn’t stop at the face; they also painted body art.

The incredible creations ranged from artful to carnivalesque, but Rafael Rubin, art director of OMC Israel, said there is much preparation to be done before the Paris competition, and the team will train intensely.

While many Israeli stylists are excited about the arrival of the organization, others said it is long overdue. Arthur Yakubov, who took first place in the Street Fashion competition, told The Jerusalem Post, “Thank God, [OMC] arrived in Israel.”