Colour NOTES

What do you love most about being a colourist?

There’s a certain alchemy that comes with it. The consultation, problem-solving, running your hands over different potions. There’s an addictive thrill watching the chemicals do their thing. When it all comes together and lights up a client’s face, it gives a dopamine hit you don’t experience in other jobs.

What is the most important question you ask in a colour consultation and why?

The obvious, ‘What would you love your hair to look like?’ Following up with ‘How flexible are you within that end result?’ This gives me an insight into how compatible a client’s goal is with the potential colour journey they’re about to go on.

RUNWAYS
Particularly more graphic designers that really play with hair as part of their shows. Junya Watanabe and We11done had some great inspiration last year.

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

If the words ‘money piece’ disappeared entirely from our vernacular, the industry would be a more interesting place.

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

I’d bring back beautiful, classic highlighting. There’s a lot to be said for the discipline of 200 foils stacked backto-back without a single error.

EAST ASIA
Especially urban South Korea has always caught my interest.

What are the challenges facing colourists right now?

Social media. The main hurdle when a client brought you a before and after picture, was the zero transparency or context on how that look was achieved. Now, there is too much transparency. Clients have access to full videos of the process of insane transformations and are almost educating themselves on how to talk to a colourist about it.

LATE 60S
The Sharon Tate era I find very romantic in style.

What do you think will be the next big colour trend?

I think high-lifts and tinted blondes are going to take over. As we’ve moved away from the ash obsession, the fear of warm and even ‘glowy’ colours has dissipated.

What colour technique are you known for?

I’m such a motley crew when it comes to any kind of consistent work. I guess the running theme would be corrective work. I love to take on a big challenge.

HISTORICAL HAIR
This has always been fascinating to me, how each era defined beauty and grooming.

What colour creation makes you most proud?

I won the L’Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy a few years ago and my model Sadhbh has been a muse ever since. Her hair is bulletproof, and her own unique aesthetic allows us to try some things that are out there. With each colour, I’m happier than the last.

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

You will never have as much time to make mistakes as you do now. Do competitions, try new things, and learn to love and appreciate the magic in messing up while you’re allowed.

IRISH JAY BIRD
The Jay bird is dressed in mute, earthy tones with a stark split of azure blue. In nature we often see combinations of colours we would never consider pairing ourselves.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a colourist?

After over 12 years, thousands of clients, and a vast catalogue of showcase/ education colour experience, things can be unpredictable. We make so many instant decisions when approaching colour, one of them is bound to throw a curveball or not suit the canvas. It’s best to just roll with it and accept it happens. You’re never above a colour turning rogue on you, always look at it as an opportunity to learn.