The colour industry is always growing – with new techniques and trends emerging every day. Safy B began her journey to becoming a colourist over 20 years ago and is still as enthusiastic as the day that she began her training.
“The endless possibility of colour inspires me to continue to create transformative results for my clients, often taking inspiration for other colourists and the latest trends and techniques – allowing me to bring their hair fantasies to life,” explains Safy. “However, I understand that if you’re new to the industry, this can sometimes be overwhelming. Don’t stress – here are the top four things I wish I’d known when becoming a colourist…”
Listen up
Get Educated
I’d recommend investing in top-notch training programmes and workshops that are specifically geared towards colour theory, application techniques, and product know-how. It’s one thing being an expert colourist, but it’s another thing to be an expert colourist with extensive knowledge about the products you use. In my eyes, continuous learning will keep you ahead of the game, and will ensure you’re always on top of the latest trends and techniques.
Practice Like a Pro
Experiment with different colour formulations and techniques on mannequins, friends, or willing volunteers. This is a great opportunity for you to tune into your artistic expression and perhaps on the way, you’ll discover a niche. The more you play, the more confident and skilled you’ll become – practice makes perfect. Every day is a day to learn and grow from your mistakes, and especially in a fast-paced industry like hairdressing, there’s always something new to learn. Listen carefully to your colleagues and tutors, ask questions and continue to practice what you’ve been taught.
Master the Basics
Solid fundamentals are key to nailing those colour transformations – so take the time to understand colour theory inside out. Hair trends come and go but techniques like balayage and lowlights will always be sought after. Whilst my salon is renowned for it’s vivid colour transformations, classic colour transformations will always be in demand. I’d recommend consistently revisiting colour theory and the colour foundations you have been taught throughout your career.
Stay Inspired
Find inspiration everywhere – from fashion to nature to social media. The world around us is filled with beauty, so keep your eyes open for inspiration! Attending industry events, following like-minded colourists and immersing yourself in the world of hair colour are key to staying inspired. Take inspiration for those around you – in my eyes, this is one of the best way to grow and develop your own skill sets and opens door for you to collaborate with fellow colourists.
If you want to read more about Safy B click here