Feeling great about those abs, biceps, and gams is just about as good as it gets.

Orlando Pita, whose hands you see here working on a model’s mane during New York’s Fashion Week, knows a thing or two about hair.

With more than two decades in the business, and regular customers including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kirsten Dunst, Pita says one thing he’s learned is that all heads are different. “Hair is so individual, so it’s hard for me to generalize about how to take care of it—I hate to use a cookie-cutter approach,” he says.

For some people, a cut every two weeks is appropriate, whereas others can wait much longer. Those with gray hairs might need frequent coloring, and people with natural blond highlights can get away with skipping the foil during the summer months.

Though a cut by Pita at his Meatpacking District salon, Orlo, can cost upwards of $800, he says a trip across the Hudson isn’t necessary for a good ‘do. “I hope and I feel that women can get a great haircut anyplace,” he says. “It’s about the person and how you connect with them. I may attract somebody who wants the experience of working with a celebrity—there’s a certain person attracted to that. But they could also get a great haircut at a $10 salon. There are fantastic hairdressers at every level, and what’s important is that you as a client feel like you’re part of a conversation about your hair.”

Pita got his start cutting hair when he was 14, and his big break came in 1984. His brother was working for a fashion photographer, and when the hair stylist didn’t arrive for a shoot, Pita came and did the job. Twenty-four years later, he’s a staple at runway shows. He opened Orlo three-and- a-half years ago and just recently launched a line of T3 products.

Though he steers clear of offering specific hair-care advice, Pita stands by his line (the hairdryer and straightener are shown on the opposite page), saying he would only put his name on something he believes in, and that they work for all heads of hair. “I’m demanding and I’m skeptical, but these were really amazing,” he says. “It cuts the drying time, and the quality of the hair is a lot more beautiful and shinier. I think it raises the bar for a lot of people in the business.” The dryer and straightener work with hair products that feature heat-seeking proteins to make your hair thicker and stronger. They’re used at the Frank Anthony Salon in Chester (800-258-9251; frankanthony.com), where stylists say they’ve noticed a difference. “They really dry the hair nicely and style smoothly without overheating the hair,” says Tony Gentile. “We’ve even sold a few because the clients like it so much.

But more than any specific product, Pita emphasizes a healthy lifestyle for healthy locks. “It all starts with nutrition and rest. How we take care of ourselves is reflected in our hair. What you eat, what medication you’re on—that all plays a role.”
And the roles can be reversed, with your hair having an impact on the rest of your life, too. “If you like the way you look, it brings a smile to your face,” Pita says. “A lot of people change their hair drastically when they go through major things in their lives. It’s part of your journey. People may see hair as a superficial thing, but it’s a reflection of what’s going on inside.

Going to a salon (almost) always generates bouncy, shiny hair. But you can get the pro feel at home, too.

High and Dry
The T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight is super light and dries hair 60 percent faster, with infrared heat that produces a wider flow of ionically charged air. Use with Plump spray, $38. ($200; Nordstrom’s, Ulta, Sephora, and Orlo)