Colour NOTES | Pocketmags.com

COPIED
3 mins

Colour NOTES

We spoke to Seung Ki Baek on the ‘Old Money’ aesthetic, his new take on chunky highlights and UV colour

What do you love most about being a colourist?

The flexibility. With cutting, I feel like you limit yourself. Now we have treatments and products to protect the hair, we have more creative freedom. Clients are braver than they used to be and are willing to try something more creative and I just love to push the boundaries.

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

I always ask, ‘are you happy with the colour you have?’ I find out what they think about their colour and open them up to different suggestions. I then discuss trending colours, or slight changes we could try, to create a look unique to them. This also builds their trust in me. I also talk in detail as clients' terminology is different to ours – it’s all about good communication.

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

I really like the ‘Old Money’ aesthetic. There was a time everyone was talking about icy blonde, and wanting to be as bright as possible but now we’re seeing people heading towards warmer colour.

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

Chunky highlights! But with more precision. I’d also like to take it a step further and instead of a straight striped line, take the sections more diagonally to create a softer version.

What are the challenges facing colourists right now?

Social media is developing so much and with fashion trends changing so fast, clients bring in a picture they see that has either been retouched or is AI. The expectations are so high, and clients don’t understand that those looks are going to take time and money due to the process and the precision.

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

Cool tones mixed with warm tones. For example, a warm brown tone mixed with a metallic brown creates an espresso-like colour – there’s richness from the warmth and deepness from the cool.

What colour technique are you known for?

UV colour and my 2017 British Hairdressing Awards collection. I made my own colour chart, testing all the colours and the quality of the glow. I’m also good at blending and creating shadow colours.

What colour creation makes you most proud?

I created a hair piece collection which was inspired by sea creatures and ocean pollution. I used plastic bottles and UV colour to represent this and the underwater creatures that are killed because of plastic entering the water. There’s an unknown world underneath there and I want to protect it.

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

Don’t give up. Try your best – practice makes perfect. And don’t be scared to mix colours and see what happens.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned from being a colourist?

Never repeat the same colour as a previous visit. I never look at previous notes until I have finished a consultation with the client. I always talk to them face to face, asking what they want first before checking the colour formula they had last time.

DEEP SEA CREATURES

Underneath the water is an unfounded area and the creatures are bioluminescent, living in darkness.

TROPICAL FISH

They are such beautiful colours and have always amazed me.

ARCHITECTURE

Antoni Gaudí and Zaha Hadid are my main sources of inspiration when it comes to architecture.

FASHION INDUSTRY

The fashion industry always inspires me – I love the designer Iris Van Herpen.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen is my favourite designer of all time and a constant source of inspiration for me.

This article appears in April 2024

Go to Page View
This article appears in...
April 2024
Go to Page View
40 YEARS OF AVLON
AVLON IS ONE OF THE HAIRCARE INDUSTRY’S ORIGINAL INNOVATORS, HERE’S THEIR JOURNEY SO FAR…
WELCOME
Letter from the editor
NEWS
Our monthly rundown to keep you updated
HJ digital
Check out what’s been happening on our website and socials
HJ insider
This month we take a look at what heated tools you use and whether you consider your business to be sustainable
HJ Reports: Revved Up for 2024
Celebrating the stars of the past year
Do You Take Days Out to focus on the business?
Two salon owners discuss how they dedicate time to their salons
Colour NOTES
We spoke to Seung Ki Baek on the ‘Old Money’ aesthetic, his new take on chunky highlights and UV colour
HJ VOICENOTES
The current London Hairdresser of the Year talks feminism in our industry in 2024 and her role models
CRUSH IT WAY
Colour blocking really is your ultimate business tool
CONSULTATION IS KEY
Colour consultations are an opportunity to discover exactly what your client wants to achieve, but how often are you making these common mistakes?
BONDING ACTIVITIES
In last month’s issue we discussed the best
BONDING BESTIES
The best bonding products
INFINITE COLOUR OPPORTUNITIES
It’s time to meet ELIXIR, a revitalised iteration of the much-loved ASP INFINITI line
The HEALTHY HAIRSTYLING REVOLUTION
CLOUD NINE’s healthy hairstyling revolution has started – will you join in?
BOBSESSED
Bobs are trending, and don’t we know it! Keep your clients coming back for more by mastering these four looks…
BLITZ KIDS II
Drawing influence from Tom Ford’s modern day take on 80s fashion, amalgamated with the 1979 London Blitz night club
GREEN BUSINESS
These industry pioneers are balancing sustainability with good business sense
GROW BEAUTIFUL
Davines presents the third edition of its first global socio-environmental campaign to support regenerative agriculture
SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Achieve your sustainability goals while enhancing every client experience
IT’S EASY BEING GREEN
With an increasing number of brands championing sustainable practices, being green has never been easier
Incise
Tiers, levels and sections create a statement of intent
REPAIR HERO
One year ago, Wella Professionals launched Ultimate Repair and now there’s a new addition to the range you need to get on your radar
La Dolce Vita
A masterclass in style and elegance
ALLURE
Modern hair with an edge
PUNKATURE
Capturing the bold and unapologetic spirit of 90's London
SMOOTH RUNNING
Here’s how salon software solution, Beu, can help the running of your self-employed salon…
Trending
The latest products you should know about
One Stop BEAUTY SHOP
Take a peek inside the ultimate beauty department store in Leeds
ADVENTURES OF A RISING STAR
Stacey Whyte shares what her #BHBA23 win meant to her
LIFE THROUGH A LENS
Hooker & Young share their archives
Looking for back issues?
Browse the Archive >

Previous Article Next Article
April 2024
CONTENTS
Page 23
PAGE VIEW