HJ INSPIRATION
Colour NOTES
Emy Roccabella discusses abstract expressionism and considering your clients’ needs
GOLDEN HOUR BALAYAGE
BLOCK COLOURING MEETS DIFFUSION
CHERRY COLA
What do you love most about being a colourist?
I love creating personalised, transformative colour journeys.
What is the most important question you ask in a colour consultation and why?
I ask ‘What is your hair goal?’ This helps me understand exactly what the client is hoping to achieve. From there, I assess whether their desired look is realistically achievable based on their current hair condition and whether it will suit their lifestyle and needs. My goal is to ensure they leave with a colour they love and can maintain confidently.
What colour trends are you pleased to see out of fashion?
I think it’s kind of nice to see the end of over-processed platinum blonde – not the chic icy shades, but the dry, damaged-looking platinum tones.
Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?
Chunky highlights from the early 2000s are due for a tasteful comeback – but updated with a modern twist, like soft blends or bold colour blocking in unexpected shades like caramel and copper instead of blonde and black.
What are the challenges facing colourists right now?
Videos on social media create unrealistic ideas about how long services can take and what is achievable in one session, usually with little consideration for cost or potential damage to the hair.
What do you think will be the next big colour trend?
Mocha mousse – that creamy, dimensional bronde is giving total luxury.
What colour techniques are you known for?
My specialities include balayage, foliage, blonde transformations and bespoke colour services that are tailored to suit my client’s skin tone, style and lifestyle.
What colour creation makes you most proud?
The big transformations like taking someone from a flat, uneven box-dye black to a dimensional, healthy caramel balayage. It’s not just about the technical skill, it’s seeing a client light up because they feel like themselves again.
What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?
Precision matters – timing, sectioning and application technique all affect the result. Do not rush.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a colourist?
Communication is everything. You can have all the technical skills in the world, but if you and your client aren’t on the same page about the vision, the result won’t feel right – no matter how well-executed it is.
#COLOURINSPO
1 GOLDEN HOUR BALAYAGE
This warm balayage mimics natural sun-lightening, creating a look that’s both polished and organic.
2 BLOCK COLOURING + DIFFUSION
There’s a deliberate yet blurred edge to each shade, reminiscent of the layered, painterly texture of abstract expressionism, inspired by Mondrian.
3 CHERRY COLA
This tone was a blend between black cherry and mulled wine, offering a bold yet wearable pop of colour.