Colour NOTES

Stacey Whyte is a salon owner and colouring queen with the world of colour right at her fingertips

What do you love most about being a colourist?

i love that no two colours are the same, you don’t ever know what you’re going to be faced with, what challenges you’ll come across, and what the reason may be for big hair changes. the options and opportunities are endless, and the techniques vast.

Where do you go for colour inspiration?

i take a lot of inspiration purely from the client as an individual. i take in their dress sense, personality and lifestyle. i also take inspiration from social media and celebrity trends. i love seeing the style and trends from big events such as the Met gala, the baFta's, and fashion weeks. We’re lucky to have constantly changing trends at our fingertips.

What are your favourite colouring techniques at the moment?

i love doing multi-dimensional, big colour jobs, but it has to be monochromatic colour. the simplicity of this technique, but the impact of the end result, amazes me every time.

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

Ashy tones – ilove warmth and expensive-looking blondes. the extremely ashy trend was great for a while but managing clients’ expectations of ‘ash’ and ‘icy’ continues to be one of a colourist's biggest challenges as clients seem to perceive ‘ash’ differently! i'm loving seeing clients go back towards warmer tones.

What challenges are colourists facing right now?

Every stylist has noticed a change in client expectations since lockdown. social media is one of the biggest challenges – filters create unrealistic goals.

What has been your most memorable colour consultation?

One of my clients lost her hair due to cancer treatment, but once her hair came back, we mapped out her hair goals and the journey. it was so heartwarming to see her face light up with excitement at the end result. it really hit home how much a stylist can positively uplift people.

What colour creation makes you most proud?

It was a colour client with afro/textured hair and my first time colouring afro hair. it was a major colour correction from bright red to a beautiful rich, dimensional clean colour. it also opened up my love for working with textured hair.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

No two days are the same. i love that i constantly learn every day, i love my team, and the wider industry.

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

Learn the foundations, take it all in, and ask questions. the science behind what you’re doing is so important, and it all reverts back to knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing. communication and consultation is key.

"Your client’s hair is a key part of what makes them special! We all know that when we look our best, we feel our best; empowered to embrace the things that bring us joy and take on any challenges life may throw at us.”