Conversations on COLOUR with…

What do you love most about being a colourist?

Hair colouring can be incredibly artistic and, in the right pair of hands, almost anything can be achieved. I’ve always enjoyed creating art and I’m lucky to have found a career that allows me to work within that realm. Being able to create art and use my creativity to help someone else express themselves is one of the best parts of my job.

Where do you go for your colour inspiration?

  I’ve always been obsessed with a painter called Gerhard Richter, an incredible German artist whose work involves blending lots of different colours together on very large canvases – which I love to replicate on hair.

What are your favourite colouring techniques at the moment?

We all love balayage, but as a colourist, I research and experiment with different techniques. Now one of my go-to techniques is Air Touch Balayage which is a technique I teach nationally. To create it I use FFØR High-Lift Lightening Powder, which delivers up to 9 levels of lift and an array of toners including my favourite called Pearl.

Are there any colouring trends or techniques you’re happy to see back in fashion?

I don’t mind chunky highlights coming back into fashion. There’s also something about bold colours that really stand out and catch the eye.

What are the biggest challenges facing professional colourists at the moment?

Nothing is ever easy for a colourist, but if it were easy anyone could do it.

One of the main issues we face is the effects of home hair colouring (the dreaded box dye) and trying to correct it when it goes wrong. It’s always a challenge to get a client from A-Z. For me, it’s about educating clients on what to do to keep their hair in good condition between visits. When we are back in the salon and they come for their appointment they get the results they desire.

What’s been your most memorable colour consultation?

  Once I had a client who had been to a salon that damaged her hair to the point of almost no return. I’m a very honest colourist and I can spend from five minutes to almost two hours on a colour consultation. It’s vital to make sure you and the client have a full understanding of the colour journey you’re about to go on. Sometimes wanting it now just isn’t an option and the most important aspect of colour to me is the hair’s integrity. I gave the client her desired result but, it took some time and a lot of work – it was a labour of love.

What do you enjoy most about your day-to-day job?

I love revealing the final colour to the client and seeing the huge smile on their face.I like to experiment and evolve my craft and I take the opportunity to learn something new each day. I’ve really loved testing and experimenting with the colour range at FFØR Hair and it's hard to believe it’s vegan, ammonia, PPD and mineral oil-free.

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

My advice is to learn as much as you can. Practice, practice, practice as Rome wasn’t built in a day. You should always ask for advice from a range of colourists as colour is a journey for everyone.