HJ Inspiration
Colour Notes
North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year, Emma Simmons, talks the grey hair trend, elevated colour blocking, and high-impact, expensive colour
What do you love most about being a colourist?
I love the way colour evolves with the client. Somebody once told me that colour never goes wrong, it just isn’t finished – that took away any anxiety when doing colour corrections for me.
What’s the most important question you ask in a colour consultation and why?
Their hair history and what colours they have on their hair. I also ask about colours they’ve had in the past they loved colours they’ve disliked.
What colour trends are you glad to see the back of?
The grey hair trend. It was really difficult to achieve. It looked great when they left the salon, but a few weeks later it would look washed out as it’s difficult to maintain at home.
Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?
I love colour blocking. I’d like to see it elevated using complementary tones to enhance the look and give a beautiful finish.
RAINBOW RHYTHMS
What are the challenges facing colourists right now?
With social media and AI we have to try and keep clients' expectations realistic. Often clients will come in with a different inspiration picture at each appointment, which can become frustrating.
What do you think the next big colour trend will be?
I think we’re going to be keeping things light and blonde but maybe soften the tone a little – butter biscuit and soft vanilla hues. Think more high-impact, expensive colour rather than lived-in looks.
BALAYAGE FIRST-TIMER
What colour techniques are you known for?
Lifting curls lighter -I’m very passionate about curls and keeping their condition. My clients know that I will never compromise their hair whilst lightening, and the placement will be as individual and as bespoke as their curls.
What colour creation makes you most proud?
My image from my Beyou collection 2020. It was an image that I created just after lockdown, and I wanted to evoke a happier, lighter emotion than what we’d all been feeling.
What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?
Learn the basics inside out. Once you’ve mastered how to enhance, neutralise and subdue, formulating will feel natural.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a colourist?
Don’t rely on what the client tells you when asking about their hair history. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t – so go with your gut.
HOLIDAY HAIR
#COLOURINSPO
1 RAINBOW RHYTHMS
This look was created after lockdown. The colour placement was really intricate. I worked in orange segments from the crown and then each halo working up from the hairline had alternating sections of block colours in pastel shades.
2 BALAYAGE FIRST-TIMER
This was a client having her first balayage. She wanted to see definite ribbons of colour whilst keeping it soft and neutral, with an easy grow out. Using wide foils on a diagonal placement, it’s surprising how few were needed to give impact.
3 HOLIDAY HAIR
Using soft beige and honeycomb tones, I blended through the mid-lengths and ends, creating a very natural sun-kissed look using lots of fine weaves and feathering up to blend.