Colour NOTES

Salon owner and Matrix artist Ria Kulik shares the shades that rock her world and the culture that inspires her work

What do you love most about being a colourist?

That I can be creative every single day. I also love creating bespoke colour that makes a client feel amazing.

Where do you go for your colour inspiration?

Social media is a great place to get inspiration from other colourists –I love @bohobrushed, @shmeggsandbacon and @deeparkerattwood. I always save images that inspire me, so I can apply the idea in the future. I try my best to keep up with modern pop culture too, and make sure I follow the influencers that are shaping trends and inspiring my clients (shout out to Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa and JLO), as well as characters from TV shows (this year Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Bridgerton and The Queens Gambit are big influences).

What are your favourite colouring techniques at the moment?

I am partial to using babylights around the hairline and face frames. I’m also loving block panelling and what I like to call ‘Alice bands’. I used to have an Alice band when I was in college, so it’s very nostalgic for me!

What colour trends are you pleased to see out of fashion?

Rainbow hair. I appreciate the skill, but for now I feel it has been done.

Are there any colouring trends you’d like to bring back?

I would love to see a lot more rich, juicy reds and coppers please! When I see a gorgeous head-turning copper, I think to myself 'I wish more people would do this'.

What are the challenges facing colourists right now?

We have all seen more colour corrections than ever before, but for me this has been a great test of our skill and knowledge.

What’s been your most memorable consultation?

I had a client who put non-professional bleach through her ends and to cover her natural copper hair, she applied a black box dye, but only put the dye on her parting and hairline. She came in with two months re-growth, wanting the black removed, and the frazzled ends turning into a light ash blonde. The (lengthy!) consultation ended with me explaining that some of what she wanted may not be achievable, but I assured her that I would be with her at every step of the journey. She was grateful to get her identity back!

What colour creation makes you most proud?

Creating any colour that is perfectly suited to that person, that boasts health and shine and that turns heads.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The people I work with. Whether it is in the salon or with my creative teams, I am so lucky to work with such a vibrant, like-minded bunch that care about each other. Since becoming a Matrix Artist I have been invited to do amazing events working with extremely talented people. I have always filled my days with doing everything and anything. However, a lesson I have learnt has been that that kind of lifestyle is not sustainable. I am a big believer in a good work/life balance.

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

Watch your peers, ask questions and practice, practice, practice. Pull in your friends and family to be colour models for you. Ask them for honest feedback – it’s so important to be able to take criticism, and use it to better yourself.