Curious what it’s like being Hudson Williams’ go-to groomer? Adam Hurly sits down with Aika Flores, who’s shaped Hudson’s look across a whirlwind tour—from early editorials and Heated Rivalry press junkets through Oscars weekend.

They cover Aika’s role, how she joined Hudson’s team, and the fast-paced tour—plus why he keeps a tight crew, her favorite looks, and how to get his “heartthrob” hairstyle for any hair type with American Crew picks. (Hey, they sponsored the episode—thanks American Crew!)

If you’re listening to this episode, consider watching the video version on YouTube, too:

https://youtu.be/JieCa1prutA

💘American Crew Products Mentioned (For the “Heartthrob” Style)

(We may earn commission if you use our links. American Crew sponsored this episode.)

🟠 Matte Clay (fine hair, medium hair)
https://amzn.to/4t83pO6

⚪️ Medium Hold Spray Gel (medium hair)
https://amzn.to/4daSVsF

🔵 Fiber (medium hair)
https://amzn.to/4uYVd4L

🟤 Forming Cream (thick/coarse hair)
https://amzn.to/4tcs844

🔴 Cream Pomade (curly)
https://amzn.to/3NQ3Mhg

🟫 Light Hold Texture Lotion (curly)
https://amzn.to/40YEwZk

⚫️ Heavy Hold Pomade (wet look)
https://amzn.to/47oRFhV

Episode edited by André Jabur

🔗 Follow & Subscribe
📸 Aika Flores on IG: https://www.instagram.com/by.aikaflores/

📰 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://grooming.tips

📱 Blue Print on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blueprintgrooming

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UCkq5VqKmu2KMvuPQzt1yRAw

OUTLINE:
00:00 Introduction
00:52 Show Start
01:59 About Blue Print by Adam Hurly / SPIFFY
02:49 What does a celeb men’s groomer do?
04:01 How Aika met Hudson
06:34 American Crew — Episode Sponsor
07:40 Why She Travels with Hudson Everywhere
09:45 Coordinating with Hudson’s Stylist Anastasia Walker
12:07 Hudson’s The Cut Skincare Video
14:10 Wonderland Photoshoot + Body Oil Tips
16:21 Hudson’s 3 Best Hair Days
18:30 How to Get Hudson’s Heartthrob Hair (Fine, Medium, Thick, Curly) with American Crew
21:26 Hair Clip Styling Trick
22:48 Hudson’s Fan at the Oscars

VIDEOS REFERENCED:
Vanity Fair Oscars video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bsI0wokBw8

Hudsons' 20-minute skincare video with The Cut:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlOVTkX9hQI

Behind every male celebrity on the red carpet is someone most people never see: the celebrity groomer. The person making sure the hair, skin, beard lines, and last-minute touchups are flawless before the cameras start flashing.

In this episode of SPIFFY, grooming journalist Adam Hurly (GQ, Robb Report, and founder of Blue Print by Adam Hurly) sits down with celebrity men’s groomer Kristen Shaw, the trusted behind-the-scenes pro responsible for prepping A-list clients like David Corenswet, Seth Rogen, Jonathan Bailey, Andrew Scott, Matt Bomer, and more.

Kristen takes us inside the real work of red-carpet grooming: what happens in the hours before an actor steps onto the Oscars carpet, how groomers balance skincare, hair styling, and subtle makeup for high-definition cameras, and why the smallest details—depuffing, beard lines, texture, lighting—can completely change how someone photographs.

They dig into the practical grooming lessons any guy can steal from Hollywood: how to make your haircut look intentional, the products Kristen keeps in her kit at all times, and the simple habits that help men look camera-ready, even if the only camera around is their phone.

Thank you to episode sponsor Philips Norelco OneBlade Pro 360, a hybrid grooming tool designed to trim, edge, and shave any length of hair. Get it: https://amzn.to/4lHjSGR

• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream: https://amzn.to/4dfzpes
• Vichy Face Serum: https://amzn.to/3NuqOdy
• Armani Concealer: https://fave.co/4uoCtuY
• Armani Foundation: https://fave.co/4s57Edr
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer: https://fave.co/4s315I1

St. Meto Mother Clay Hair & Scalp Treatment: https://fave.co/3NuqLOU

Kristen Shaw, Celebrity Men’s Groomer
https://www.instagram.com/shawnesssss/

Articles + Newsletter: https://www.grooming.tips
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blueprintgrooming
IG: https://www.instagram.com/blueprintgrooming
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blueprintgrooming

Spiffy IG: https://www.instagram.com/spiffypod
Adam IG: https://www.instagram.com/adamhurly

Produced by Hady Mawajdeh

With support from André Jabur

The word “synthetic” doesn’t always have the best reputation. By definition, it even means "fake or unnatural" or somehow inferior. And marketing would have you believe that "pure naturals" are always superior in cosmetics and fragrance.

But in perfumery, synthetics are essential. They make modern fragrance safer, more sustainable, more stable, and far more creative than it could ever be with naturals alone.

In this episode of SPIFFY, Adam Hurly sits down with Christina Christie, Senior Perfumer at Givaudan, to unpack what synthetics actually mean inside modern perfumery and why so many of the scents we love simply wouldn’t exist without them.

Christina pulls back the curtain on how fragrances are really built, from briefs and brand storytelling to the surprising technical constraints most people never consider, like color stability, longevity, and sustainability.

The conversation moves past the natural-versus-synthetic debate and into the reality of the craft: why lab-made molecules protect natural resources, how they enhance projection and structure, and why “synthetic” doesn’t automatically mean cheaper or less sophisticated.

They also explore the future. Adam and Christina talk about scent-capture technology that can recreate living environments without harming them, AI tools that speed up formula development, and the one thing machines can never replicate.

GUEST: Christina Christie, Senior Perfumer, Fine Fragrances, at Givaudan in NYC

Givaudan: https://www.givaudan.com/
More about ScentTrek: https://fave.co/40oWm7l

More about Carto: https://fave.co/4tW35n6

🧴PRODUCT LINKS

• Les Bains Guerbois 1979 New Wave EDP: https://fave.co/4rB5KB1
• Blind Barber Glasshouse EDP: https://fave.co/4rAJzLg
• Arquiste Nocturnality: https://fave.co/4s3VrFh
• Toskavat fragrances: https://fave.co/46p58pr

We may earn commission if you use our links. Thank you.

🌀MORE FROM BLUE PRINT BY ADAM HURLY
Articles + Free Newsletter: https://www.grooming.tips
Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@blueprintgrooming
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blueprintgrooming
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blueprintgrooming

🌀SPONSOR

Thank you to episode sponsor LUXSB - Luxury Scent Box.

Visit Luxsb.com to start discovering new scents, whether you need a new signature scent or want to build out a wardrobe. These 9ml vials are the largest samples available from any fragrance discovery platform. Starting at $16.95 per month.

Disclaimer: Not available everywhere.Episode sponsors do not have influence over episode content or affiliation with episode guests.

Produced by Hady Mawajdeh, with support from André Jabur.