Colour NOTES
Nancy Stripe, the queen of grey blending, shares her colour pet hates and the power of Reels when it comes to client conversion
POWER COUPLE
COPPER BLUSH
BUTTER BLONDE
What do you love most about being a colourist?
The fact that I have been in this industry for 24 years and it’s still evolving and I’m still learning.
What is the most important question you ask during colour consultation?
‘How do you feel about your hair right now?’ Hairdressing is all about reading someone’s emotions.
What colour trends are you glad to see the back of?
Vivids! Sorry to all the vivid fans out there, but it’s not my cup of tea.
Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?
Rose gold was a great colour era, at one point I was doing one every day, and it worked so well with brunettes and blondes.
What are the challenges facing colourists right now?
Costs. Profit margins are at an all-time low, wages have risen, products are so expensive and yet even the most premium of stylists don’t feel like they can charge enough (particularly when you are outside of London). I think we are making progress, but the industry needs to start charging their worth.
What do you think will be the next big colour trend?
It’s already on the radar for 2025 forecasts, but I will say this louder for the people at the back… grey blending! It comes in all shapes, sizes and works for all hair types.
What colour techniques are you known for?
It started with balayage and lived-in colour and organically progressed into grey blending. The content that continually hits is grey blending (my Reels have hit millions of views). It’s new to a lot of people, but I’ve been developing techniques for eight years.
What colour creation makes you most proud?
When I liberate people from the monthly slog of white roots and get them to see the beauty of their natural hair, layered with organic colouring. It can take me anything from eight months to two years for completion, but these clients will be your most loyal.
What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?
Find the best colourist in your salon and soak them up! The best way to learn is to watch and then recreate.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a colourist?
Own your mistakes. The most talented colourists I know would never let a client walk out unhappy, and I think it makes you seem even more of a perfectionist when you spot a mistake and offer to fix it before they have to send the dreaded text.
#COLOURINSPO
1 POWER COUPLE
A pivotal moment where white hair was not just accepted, but celebrated, at my L’Oréal Professionnel’s SUMMIT LIVE grey blending show and seminar.
2 COPPER BLUSH
This look epitomises my ‘skin-first’ colouring approach. Treasure clients like this who photograph well, as they can create endless content opportunities.
3 BUTTER BLONDE
During a social media talk, I showed simple basin painting techniques and proved how a seasonal tonal refresh can boost profits and engagement.