“To improve as a colourist, you have to first understand how hair colour works.”

Professional Beauty & Hairdressers Journal magazine and Professional Beauty both have individually come into their element through their own credibility. The Hairdressers Journal is valued as one of the most preferred magazines in the hairdressing industry and personally by the hairdressers too. The magazine was brought to India during difficult times and that benefitted us too, as it was accessible during lockdown. What I love the most about the magazine is that it has a lot of visuals as we hairdressers don’t want to do a lot of reading. It also has the ability to satisfy a hairdresser’s creative needs.

Asha Hariharan, Trainer & Educator, Enrich Salon, reflects on the role of education, training specifications in hairdressing, the training scenario in India and her enriching journey as a hairdresser.

ELABORATE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?

Training helps to improve your skill and industry-based knowledge, and understand the science behind certain mechanisms of a technique. For instance, while applying hair colour, if you understand the logic behind it, it becomes easier to work on it. Training helps to understand the connection between a product or service and the different concerns, requirements, physical conditions, of the client. It also improves the methodology or execution of a skill which in turn boosts the credibility, productivity and quality of work. Training includes management and good practices, but trainers must also be able to learn to present ideas that help to bring out personality and skill.

WHAT DOES THE BASIC SALON TRAINING COMPRISE?

During training, we throw light on the difference between a keratin treatment or a straightening cream and to what level can it control hair frizz or change the bonds in hair. We discuss product classification and how education helps in understanding them. Training is fuelled with growth of a chain of salons and the industry, and benefits everyone. Trainers in India come from the Barber family, which is great as a tradition but going ahead, we also need to undergo training to understand new products and technologies. We need to shift from the traditional to the modern mode to improve the manpower quality.

HOW SHOULD AN ASPIRING BEAUTY EXPERT CHOOSE THE RIGHT ACADEMY FOR TRAINING?

The following pointers will help an aspiring expert choose the right training academy:

• The duration of the course is important. Since there are both traditional and modern thought processes, the courses span four years of training as well as fast track training.

• Syllabus and teaching methodology play a big role. Concepts can become outdated and an interactive mode of training always helps in learning.

• Affiliation of the academy, reputation, past experience and presence prove that you have undergone your training with people who are recognised and valued in the industry.

• Industry feedback is important, as some experts know the skill but cannot deal with the challenges that come with it.

• The trainer’s profile and experience count. A good trainer understands the holistic application and how to cater to good and weak students differently.

• The concept of fees is misleading in some academies. I was asked to do a certain government course where the fee didn’t meet the cost of the products or expertise.

• Attendance and timings matter as flexibility is important when you’re studying the course while doing side work. Selfeducation makes one independent while taking decisions and that’s possible when you have the time to study on your own.

• Industry recognition and credit help to compare the ratio of projects and exams. Sometimes projects are more important than exams.

• Classification and counselling for the level of education is important to enhance your ability and earning capacity.

HOW DOES THEORY AND CHEMISTRY RELATE TO HAIR COLOURING?

First, let us understand what hair colour can do. It can visually enhance the colour of your natural hair by putting a small amount of pigment, re-tone faded colour neutralise unwanted vibrancy and lighten the hair colour. The two most important things here are, achieving the perfect colour at the accurate depth level and improving the hair quality or minimising hair damage. Once you understand what you want out of a product, it is the relevant chemistry that comes into action. A product should be able to lift existing colour, remove existing pigment and deposit a pigment, which has the right value and level of depth. This explains the relationship between theory and chemistry.

HOW SHOULD ONE IMPROVE AS A TRAINING COLOURIST?

To improve as a colourist, you have to first understand how hair colour works. Secondly, you need to unleash your students from any kind of fear, and then you will see what they can do. Once they understand the chemistry, they will also understand the theory and ways to make it work. Of course, you need to be a little more fashionable and understand the trends in the industry. As a colourist, you also have to understand to what extent you can help the client look fashionable while taking care of his/her personal requirements.

IN YOUR VIEW, WHAT WILL BE THE MOST EXCITING AND UPCOMING TREND IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY BASED IN 2022?

The year 2022 will be both challenging and exciting. The various concepts in beauty, which have been simmering and brewing till now, are getting into fast mode. For instance, the concept of sustainability has been there for some time now but the pandemic brought it with a new light and fast-forwarded the concept. With digitalisation being relevant more now than ever before, there is a lot of innovation in the education and delivery methods. People are also talking about natural versus organic products. There is a general forward move towards buying products with a focus on health and wellness now. Besides this, there will be a lot of transparency as buyers want to buy products that are dependable and contribute to the green movement. Overall, 2022 is going to be exciting with some challenges but the positive outweighs all the negative. I hope we are ready for the ride!