Colour NOTES

Colour Director of Metropolis, Ceri Cushen, talks Pirates of the Caribbean, white-blonde bobs, and her dislike of 'piano striped' highlights...

What do you love most about being a colourist?

I love how a colour can transform a haircut. Colour gives so much room for creativity and with colour options changing so rapidly, I’m always learning. I cut as well as colour, but I really love to colour and create new techniques and new shades for my clients.

Where do you go for colour inspiration?

My colour inspiration primarily comes from nature and animals. Landscapes and birds have amazing colour palettes and it’s fun to translate that onto hair.

Birds

What are your favourite colouring techniques at the moment?

I’m loving the 90s inspired bold streak around the face – it’s a fun way of creating a striking colour without committing to a whole head. It’s also a way of colouring that can be changed regularly allowing clients to experiment in a low commitment way.

Fashion

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

I don’t miss the old-fashioned piano key striped highlights where the contrast was high and the sections thick and blocky. Colour now has a more organic feel, which flows so much better with hair’s natural movement.

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

A few years ago hidden panels became popular for a while, but didn’t seem to take as strong a hold as the face-framing we see today. Maybe it wasn’t the right time then, but who knows what 2023 will bring?

South Wales landscapes

What are the challenges facing colourists right now?

Social media. It’s great for showcasing work, but the use of digital manipulation on colour work has become way too present. I think we all need to be aware of just how much digital editing goes on.

What’s been your most memorable colour consultation?

One that stands out is when a client came in a few years back with long natural, dark Asian hair and wanted a white-blonde bob. We did it in one sitting and it was definitely a proud moment.

What colour creation makes you most proud?

I made wigs for the Pirates of the Caribbean films – I’d colour extensions and dreadlock them strand by strand. The brief was always incredibly detailed and as my character aged, I was asked to add more grey hairs. The colour work was complex, but I loved every second.

Food

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Seeing my clients’ confidence. There’s something special about making another human happy with how they look. It’s also fascinating to see how hair changes throughout a person's life.

Animation movies

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

First, learn your colour theory as thoroughly as you can. Secondly, remember you are the expert. Don’t allow yourself to be bullied by difficult clients. Thirdly, take ownership of mistakes and try to be a part of the solution. Lastly, don’t be put off by jargon, ask your client for a reference and make the colour bespoke for your client.