Colour NOTES

Brooke Evans chats Rihanna Red, contrasting colours, and reflects on the pivotal moments in her colouring career so far

What do you love most about being a colourist?

The fact that you can change someone’s appearance quickly, just by changing the tone of their hair. I have so much creative freedom in my work day. No two days are the same, even if you had 10 clients in for balayage, the end result is always different.

Where do you go for colour inspiration?

I look forward to Fashion Week and looking ahead to seasonal trends. I also take inspiration from my surroundings and their changing colour palettes.

Fashion

What are your favourite colouring techniques at the moment?

At the moment, I love tipping out the ends, especially on a bob, either with a contrasting colour or a colour palette that matches the roots.

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

Rihanna Red. To me that sort of tone can either look professional or like it’s been box dyed. It’s so hit or miss.

Home Décor

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

I’d love to see clients being a bit more bolder in their looks. I love doing balayage, it’s a staple service in our salon and probably one of our most requested, but I’d love to see clients playing it less safe in their techniques and colour choices. I especially love a stripe at the moment – who doesn’t?

Photography

What are the challenges facing colourists right now?

At the moment the big one is the cost-of-living crisis, especially when it comes to colour services. Clients want colour that’s low maintenance, so we’re seeing clients swap out full heads of highlights for balayage.

Different cultures

What has been your most memorable colour consultation?

My most memorable colour consultation was a client who wanted chocolate-toned hair. I did the colour and the client felt it was too red. I had to calmly explain to her that chocolate shades do have red undertones...

What colour creation makes you most proud?

My proudest colour creation has got to be the colour that I achieved for my #BHA22 Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Technician of the Year entry. I love creating a textured hair colour and for me, it was a staple moment in my career, especially because I was aware it wasn’t my strong point. I’ve put a lot of focus on educating myself in this area, so to do colour on textured hair and finalise was a huge achievement. It just goes to show practice pays off.

Food

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love variation. Whether it’s being a manager, doing clients in the chair, educating with Schwarzkopf Professional or working with ghd – every day's different.

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

Keep experimenting. If there’s a colour that comes in that you’re not sure about, try it. Whether that be on a dolls head or at the back of a client’s head. Experimenting stops you from staying stagnant. At my salon we’re always learning new techniques and trends, it’s something that helps keep our careers as stylists so exciting and varied.