2 mins
Colour NOTES
Martin Crean, owner of MODE Salon, reveals all on futuristic twists, freehand painting and fashion influences
What do you love most about being a colourist?
I love being able to boost my client’s confidence. It’s such a great feeling seeing a client leave the salon with a spring in their step! I also love being able to showcase my creativity through events like competitions and photoshoots and in my role as Goldwell UK guest artist.
Art
Where do you go for colour inspiration?
Fashion trends are a major influence, but in my salon, a lot of our colour work is guided by what best suits our client. I also look to my peers; there are so many amazing colourists in our industry that should make us all proud and from whom we can all take inspiration from their incredible work.
Fashion
What are your favourite colouring techniques at the moment?
I’m really enjoying freehand painting techniques at the moment which encourages us all to work more freely and with more creativity.
History
Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?
The great thing in our industry is the continued development of both products and techniques, I’m a firm believer in looking to the future, and I find any trend revivals always tend to come back with a modern twist.
What has been one of your main challenges as a colourist?
Obviously, we all faced the consequences of the lockdowns, the home dyes and client's growing out of their colours. But ensuring that we're making time for consultations for colour corrections, making sure the client understands it may not be a one-appointment fix, and helping clients with the transition to their natural colour by providing toning and glossing services, was a challenge for me.
Nature
What’s been your most memorable colour consultation?
There have been too many memorable consultations to list, but I love that positive, emotional reaction from a client. It just shows the true power of the hairdresser!
What colour creation makes you most proud?
I take pride in all my clients’ hair, but I have some very memorable times for HJ's British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional where I’ve captured my creations with Richard Miles, my incredible photographer.
Travel
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Customer satisfaction. I take great pride at MODE in continuing to build our loyal customer base and provide a luxurious salon experience, so it’s very important to me.
What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?
I think it's extremely important to listen to your client and understand what it is that they want to achieve with their hair colour. You need to have the strength of character to help the client understand what can be achieved based on the health of their hair and what would suit them. It’s all about managing expectations, and learning how to handle that.