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The Trends For 2025

The Trends For 2025

Feb 12, 2025 | CREATIVE PROJECTS, EXPLORE

We’ve got the moodboards, we’ve got the techniques, and we’ve got the hair teams telling us what’s hot right now! For Creative HEAD’s March cover story, in partnership with Wella Professionals, the winners of the 2024 TrendVision Award got to work with exceptional industry artists, to put their signature spins on five hair trends for the year ahead – all full of creative inspiration and business potential. Keep scrolling for ALL the newness, as we take a deep dive into the looks your clients will come calling for in 2025

Welcome to a brave new world, where we strive to bridge the gap between the digital and the physical. Drawing on inspiration from Balenciaga’s AI generated art alongside the Cosmic Attraction trend identified by global beauty insights platform Beautystreams, this taps into the cultural zeitgeist. Surrounded by the proliferation of AI into our daily lives, Unreal Appeal considers the impact from a beauty perspective.

Corrine McNaughton (centre), Medusa and 2024 TrendVision Award Craft Visionary UK winner 2024. Mentored by Janice Hunter (left) and Silvia Salerno (right), Sassoon Academy 

A metallic cosmic colour palette, combined with inspiration from the icons such as Grace Jones and Tilda Swinton, were key elements in creating this digitally infused look. As was the model… “We tapped into what our model, Lilly, looks like in a digital world and from an AI perspective, ‘lily’ means love, purity, feminine,” says Sylvia. “She loved the idea of looking feminine but also boyish. This is gender neutral, there isn’t that separation.” It’s a look that’s perfect for salon consultations – from bold experimenters to something more pared back. “It’s a look that’s perfect for salon consultations,” adds Janice, “from bold experimenters to something more pared back – you can translate that look so easily.

Colour Product + Application

The duality of ‘yin and yang’ fuelled the creative section of the colour technique, making use of negative space to mimic the area between the real and the unreal, melting metallic shades together to create fluidity using the cool cosmos-inspired ice white backdrop. “It was all about opposites,” says Corrine.  

  • Regrowth pre-lightened with Wella Professionals Blondorplex 9, mixed 1 to 1.5 with Welloxon Perfect 4% 
  • Developed for 40 minutes and emulsified at the backwash for 3 minutes 
  • Rinsed then applied the creative target shades of Illumina Silver Mauve and Platinum Lily equal parts with 2 parts Welloxon Perfect 1.9%, in a root melt technique 
  • Global application of Color Touch equal parts 10/81 + 10/6 + 10/0 combined with 2 parts Color Touch Crème Emulsion 1.9%
Cut And Style Product + Technique

The aim was to give the style a sense of ‘anti-gravity’ while still retaining a strong shape and full fringe effect with texture 

  • A tight form was created on a diagonal section pattern through the sides and a square elevation through the top to allow for a structural shape that would create a fluid but strong structure.  
  • Length and fringe were visually connected for face framing, to create a little extra contrast.  
  • To avoid damage, Wella Professionals Ultimate Repair four-step regime was used throughout. Hair was wrap dried, with EIMI Perfect Setting and Body Crafter layered into the hair through a four-step drying process.  
  • A straightener was used to elevate and mould the hair upward.  
  • Hair was the dressed with EIMI Glam Mist using a soft brush to create texture, then finished with a very light spray of Performance Hairspray for light hold but leave the hair workable.  

 

When the Cherry Cola trend broke through last year, you could feel a sense of it being a temporary moment of play. Yes, we’d had Cowboy Copper the year before too, but reds weren’t really back, were they? Well, 2025 has called, and its reply is: “oh hell, yes!”. There has been some trepidation in recent years around reds – just a bit too much, too in-your-face – but the new era reds are more subtle enhancements that offer a kiss of warmth, of a juicy tone that whispers rather than shouts…

Alex White (right), House of Colour and 2024 TrendVision Award Craft Visionary Ireland winner. Mentored by Stuart Matuska, Toni&Guy

Desert skies and architecture fed into the referencing to create a lived in red that has flow and movement throughout the hair (“something dustier and smokier, with a natural thread running through,” describes Alex). She amassed beautiful images of desert rock formations, focusing on little grooves throughout the rocks, inspiring them to leave the hair quite free and flowy. “This is salon friendly, it’s really attainable for clients,” says Stuart. “There’s a place for every kind of red, but with this trend, its softer and less saturated for everyday wear.” 

Colour Product + Application
  • Wella Professionals Color Touch is perfect for a low maintenance gloss. Alex worked with 7/75 at the root then 7/47 for a reverse balayage before toning globally with Color Fresh Mask in Rose Blaze 
  • For a bespoke element, hair was dipped into a bowl with Perfection /5 and /6 to give the illusion of lightness going into dark – an easy and impactful personal touch you can add in the salon 
  • A hot cross bun section was used for the root colour, then diagonal sections through the back of the hair to deepen some areas for a more lived-in look using different types of weaves 
  • Through the front section, curve sections were taken from the temple to the back of the ear to create a bespoke colour, developed for 35 minutes, leaving a veil of lightness on top to amplify that lived-in vibe 
    Care And Style Product + Technique
    • System Professional Colour Save Shampoo, treatment and condition was used to protect the colour, with the treatment restoring the hair’s PH level before toning 
    • Color Fresh Mask in Rose Blaze was applied globally and developed for 20 minutes 
    • EIMI Extra Volume Mousse created texture and movement; blow dried in for a sleek finish 
    • ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong added more soft movement, before applying EIMI Texture Touch to manipulate hair into place around the edges 
    • Some backcombing added a little body through the top section of the hair while keeping it lived-in 

    When you think blonde in recent years, you think cool in tone, bright and light. Yet as shades have become warmer in recent seasons, this new era blonde dials it down to something subtle, chic and oh-so wearable for all – a perfect entry level step for a colour-shy client who’s been tempted but has yet to take the plunge. 

    Skye Holford (centre), Regis/Kleek Apprenticeships and 2024 TrendVision Award XPOSURE Creative Colour UK & Ireland winner. Mentored by Christel Barron-Hough (right) and Gen Itoh (left), Stil.

    Welcome to the West Coast, where the artisanal vibe with our Next Gen Blonde is a “relaxed fusion of boho and future,” says Skye. While Gen started looking at inspiration from the Y2K era and 1970s musicians, look closely and you might spot the influence of fashion label Jil Sander. “They’re [Jil Sander] really good at hard, structured lines, but then bringing in an element of nature or organic textures to make it softer,” adds Christel.  

    Colour Product + Application
    • For that kiss of sunshine, the team turned to Wella Professionals Illumina, using a hand painting technique using foils and mesh, following the natural hair fall. “We wanted to create something very soft that would enhance the natural curl pattern,” explains Skye. “It’s very soft in terms of tonal palette, it can create a really radiant finish,” adds Christel. “It’s something that’s very quick and easy to do in the salon, easy to pick up and adapt.”  
    • The combination of Illumina and Blondor delivered that sun-kissed chic (Illumina 9/19 + 9% Welloxon Perfect; Blondor + 6% Welloxon Perfect; Illumina 8/38 + 6% Welloxon Perfect; toned with Illumina 10/36 + 8/13 + 1.9% Welloxon Perfect)  
      Cut And Style Product + Technique
      • To lock in the colour, it was over to System Professional Color Save Shampoo and Conditioner 
      • For its antioxidant properties, a Wella Professionals Service Post Color Treatment was added into the mix to neutralise any colour oxidants left and to return the hair to its PH level.  
      • For styling, the vibe was for a slimline, modern androgynous feel, while those beautiful bends were given a little polish. Using a finger curling method and Twisted Mask from Sebastian Professional, each curl was pinned each as the team went along – section by section, curl by curl 
      • Once all pinned, the hair was covered with a mesh wrap and Skye used a metal mesh diffuser to keep frizz at bay 
      • Fully dry, hair was left to cool for five minutes, then each curl was separated as it was unpinned 
      • Just a spritz of Re-Shaper Hairspray from Sebastian Professional added the final touch 

       

      After years of long hair ruling mainstream trends, a boom of bobs exploded across the trends landscape last year – Italian! French! Mob Wife! They were sleek, chic ever evolving. So, what are we going to see next? Well, plenty of those bob clients who opt for the chop are going to experiment and edge ever higher… say hello to the Micro Bob. 

      Maggie Grant (centre), House of Colour and 2024 TrendVision Award Colour Visionary Ireland winner. Mentored by Akin Konizi (right) and Nestor Sanchez (left), HOB Salons & Academy 

      For the colour, the Micro Bob team was inspired by Mocha Mousse – Pantone’s Color of the Year. “We visualised warm, rich brunette tones, incorporating a little bit of lightness through the top to enhance that texture and to bring out the shape,” says Maggie. “This earthy brunette will be a huge trend in 2025 and is very salon friendly.” And the cut pushes those 2024 bobs to the edge… “This is a little graduated bob that’s got lots of texture, loads of movement, is still very relevant and very sexy,” explains Nestor. “It can still be moved around, tucked behind the ears. It’s the next part of the evolution,” adds Akin. “It’s what we need to get clients back into the salon.” And if Emma Stone is any indicator, we could be seeing this tipping into a pixie cut era… 

      Colour Product + Application
      • Hair was lightened globally with Illumina 7/81, with a few scattered creamier tones through the front to add dimensional texture, with the help of Blondorplex and Welloxon Perfect 6% 
      • A mix of Color Touch Crème Emulsion 8/71 1.9% with Welloxon Perfect 1.5% pastel oxidant was used to tone and nail that muted brunette finish 
        Cut And Style Products + Technique
        • This bob showcases the need for a bespoke cut, working with the model’s growth pattern to ensure when they were layering into the hair, no nasty spikes were created 
        • Graduated in the back with a textured top, the length at the front falls just below the cheekbone to keep that bob vibe – and is ideal for return visits. “This needs maintenance, because after six weeks or eight weeks, it falls out of shape, so clients have to come back,” smiles Nestor 
        • To get that finish, volume and shine was amped up by wrap drying in EIMI Perfect Setting to ensure a super sleek, frizz free result 
        • A little Texture Touch matte holding paste delivered that piecey movement 

        The beauty world is enraptured with the concept of glass skin (Pat McGrath’s launch of her Glass Skin masks, designed to whet the appetites of fans of the look she created for that iconic Maison Margiela’s couture show last year), and dive into the most popular search terms for hair, and you’ll find the same key terms – glossy, shiny, polished. Welcome now to the era of Glass Hair, with locks so luminous, it appears as if it’s been carefully blown from the most reflective of glass.  

        Gemma Hill (left), Luvely and Wella Professionals Wella Colour Higher Level Diploma student. Mentored by Jordanna Cobella, Cobella 

        Emma parachuted in at the last minute, to take over from TrendVision Colour Visionary UK winner Dawid Mielnik, based at Regis Salon at James Bushell, Harvey Nichols, who had worked with Jordanna on the moodboards and referencing, but was unable to make the shoot.  

        Skincare and beauty tears filled the moodboards with this trend. While Glass Hair might not be new, believe us when we say it’s getting bigger this year. “Who doesn’t want healthy, shiny hair?” asks Gemma, “and that’s what this trend is all about.” But the team behind this look wanted to give the look a twist (literally), delivering a dual texture delight that celebrates the curls of the model’s Afro texture with a section of mirror-like shine. This also referenced Jordanna’s breathtaking show at the TrendVision Award Final. “It’s a juxtaposition that brings the hair texture to life,” explains Jordanna. The secret? Just like with skin, it’s all in the layering… “That’s the key to this trend – layering colour, glazing in layers. That’s what gives us that real high shine finish.” 

        Colour Product + Application

        With glossy hair one of the BIG searches on both Google and TikTok, this is a brilliantly adaptable trend to any texture to give guests what they’re hunting for. “This is really good for clients, it’s an easy service,” says Gemma.  

        • This look is all about enhancing the natural depth of the hair by tweaking the tone and layering on shine, with a more chocolate based tone and a sheer glaze on top – all thanks to Wella Professionals Shinefinity 04/07 and 0/00, layered for subtle tones and a beautifully enriched, radiant finish 

          

          Style Product + Technique
          • A twist out technique – taking two strands, doing a rope braid, followed by a twist, then set onto heat – makes the most of that tantalising texture. “It’s really important to keep the hair as hydrated as possible,” adds Jordanna, who cocktailed Briogeo Gel Cream and Curling Gel, picking the hair apart using well-oiled hands (thanks Sebastian Dark Oil!) and slowly but surely stretching out the curl 
          • To give that uber shiny glass hair result, soft finger waves gracefully frame the face, enhancing the natural curl pattern and creating a beautifully sculpted yet fluid shape 
          • Sebastian Liquid Steel was applied to create long-lasting hold 
          • New Ultimate Smoothing Miracle Oil Serum for that glossy finish, a spoolie was used to define and enhance the natural texture along the hairline, adding a soft, effortless wave. It took a little bit of testing on some arm hair first to get the mix of products just right! 

           

          A Creative HEAD shoot, in partnership with Wella Professionals 

          Photography Tom O’Neill, assisted by Josh Bryant and Arthur Millier Radnall
          Reportage photography Sarah Seal
          Videography Austen Killingbeck-Jones, assisted by Douglas Cock
          Hair Alex White and Stuart Matuska (Red Revolution); Maggie Grant, Akin Konizi and Nestor Sanchez, assisted by Elijah Hourrides (Micro Bob), Corrine McNaughton, Janice Hunter and Silvia Salerno (Unreal Appeal), Skye Holford, Christel Barron-Hough and Gen Itoh (Next Gen Blonde), Gemma Hill and Jordanna Cobella, assisted by Gabriel Canton (Glass Hair), with additional support provided by Eliz Alieva, Keira Campbell-Sharp and Marie Hall – all for Wella Professionals
          Make-up Eoin Whelan, assisted by Lucy Freeman
          Fashion Issie Gibbons, assisted by Lacie Gittins
          Models Lilly Bridger (Body London), Chuyao (The Hair Desk), Keilah Deere (Boss Models), Miles Marsh (Named Models), Oyinda Nihinlola (The Crowd Models)
          Editorial Amanda Nottage
          Digital and social media Kelsey Dring, Caitlyn Brandom, Maddi Lane
          Creative direction and production Joanna Kidd

          Shot on location at VIEW at JJ Studios, Wimborne House 

           

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          “We Know We Can Rely On Our Future Workforce”

          “We Know We Can Rely On Our Future Workforce”

          Feb 10, 2025 | DOCUMENTS, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

          “We Know We Can Rely On Our Future Workforce”

          Why Hooker & Young have always invested in apprentices

          by CATHERINE | DOCUMENTS

          “We Have Always Invested In Apprentices” – Michael Young, Co-Owner, Hooker & Young, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

          Victoria Lynch

          Michael Young

          “The Hooker & Young group consists of four very busy salons located across the North-East, and I’m proud to say that apart from a couple of exceptions, every single one of our 55 stylists started as an apprentice with us.  

          “We have always invested in apprentices to assist our stylists, right from when we opened our first salon 30 years ago. Over those three decades, our apprenticeship programme has built real momentum within the business because we know we can rely on our future workforce. What’s more, it means that every single apprentice who goes on to the salon floor understands the Hooker & Young ethos and what is required of them. That is so valuable.  

          “Hooker & Young is about luxury hairdressing, and we charge prices to match. Our clientele is well-heeled, very demanding and expects a five-star experience, like they get in the restaurants they frequent. They notice the details.  

          “Just like in those restaurants, where you’ll often have one waiter for every table, we have an assistant supporting every stylist. That’s crucial, because it allows a stylist to move easily between multiple clients, knowing that each client is being well looked after by the assistant in between.

          If it wasn’t for the assistants, the stylist would need to stay with the same client for the duration of their appointment, and that is obviously very limiting. 

          “Assistants not only allow us to deliver the levels of service we want, they are a crucial part of the process that brings extra revenue into the business. Thanks to our assistants we never have to turn clients away and that means our salons continue to grow. The way we look at it, our apprentices and assistants are as important as anyone on the salon floor.” 

          “The Salon Is Where I Do All My Learning” – Amelia Richardson, Apprentice, Hooker & Young, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 

          Amelia Richardson

          Amelia Richardson

          “When I left school I already knew I wanted to be a hairdresser, but I was pushed into doing A-Levels at Sixth Form College. I left after a few months because it wasn’t for me. I really did want to do hairdressing! 

          “I chose to do an apprenticeship because I like to be in the workplace. Hooker & Young responded to my CV, and after an initial taster session in their Jesmond salon, I showed up for my first day at work as their first new starter in eight months.  

          “I was very nervous, but because everyone in the team had started out as an apprentice themselves, they knew exactly what they had to show me so I could do my job. By the end of the day I knew where things were kept, how to clean down a styling station, how the salon dynamic worked. I felt so happy. I knew I’d made the right decision.

          “Although I spend a day in college every two weeks, the salon is where I do all my learning. You learn from observing the stylists you work with, as well as other apprentices – it’s incredible how a salon works. I love being part of a team, there’s always someone you can talk to, no matter what it is you want to talk about. I look forward to going to work, to see my co-workers.  

          “It’s absolutely possible to live on the apprenticeship wage (currently £6.40 per hour). I work 41 hours per week and over the last two years I’ve been able to pay my board, buy a car, get my phone, eat out a couple of times a week and have a decent holiday. The trick is to budget properly – my mum has taught me that. 

          “I’m 18 years old and coming to the end of my apprenticeship. In June I’ll be doing my End Point Assessment, which is where an external assessor comes and observes me essentially run my own column for a day. I’m nervous, but I know it’s something everyone in the salon has been through themselves.  

          “I see myself spending the next 10 years at least at Hooker & Young. Of course, I dream of owning my own salon one day, but I have seen how people can grow here and how much support they are given – it’s exciting and reassuring all at the same time. I am so glad I chose hairdressing as my career and I am very happy I got to do my apprenticeship at such a great salon.” 

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          “We Particularly Focus On Consultation”

          “We Particularly Focus On Consultation”

          Feb 10, 2025 | DOCUMENTS, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

          “We Particularly Focus On Consultation”

          How Tribe Salons ensure their apprentices are salon ready

          by AMANDA | DOCUMENTS

          “When people are homegrown, understand your way of doing things, and have been with you from the start, they stay for longer” – Elle Foreman, head of education, Tribe Salons, Clapham and Chislehurst

          Victoria Lynch

          Elle Forman

          “We’re a family run business with two salons – in Clapham and Chislehurst – and we’ve always kept things quite small so we can be personal and people orientated. We have a very diverse clientele across both salons, aged from 16 up to 92, all different hair textures and hair types. The salon is priced more towards the higher end, as we’re an Aveda salon. That means we have a high standard to maintain. 

          “We’ve always offered apprenticeships, we need to bring new talent through, that they’re able to learn on a daily basis. We have seven now, and probably about 50 per cent of the teams across both salons started with us as apprentices. It’s so hard to recruit nowadays, especially in London. When people are homegrown, understand your way of doing things, and have been with you from the start, they stay for longer.  

          “While apprentices are doing their NVQ, they train within the salon, learning alongside the stylists on the job. However, after their EPA, their training goes further with us. Every Tuesday, I have all the newly qualified assistants, and we book in models for the whole day so that it’s like having a column of clients, and I help them advance their skill set so they’re fully equipped when they hit the shop floor. We particularly focus on consultation. I think it’s something that can be skipped over with an apprenticeship. The focus is on learning the technical skills, but consultation for us is a big one. We make sure our apprentices understand how to talk to people and get the best out them so that they can deliver a confident result.  

          “We had a period last year where it was quite evident that people were coming into the industry thinking it would be an easy route, but then quickly realise that to become a hairdresser, and you must do lots of training. We’ve changed our recruitment process, adapting the questions to try and filter out the ones that aren’t doing it for the right reasons.” 

          Tripe Clapham

          Tribe Clapham

          “I really like the social side, all the different personalities” – Hannah Robinson, Apprentice, Tribe Salons, Clapham and Chislehurst 

          Amelia Richardson

          Hannah Robinson

          “I wasn’t too sure about what I wanted to do it first. I looked at apprenticeships in law and mechanics, but I opted for hairdressing. I’m coming into my second full year. I go to college every Monday, and then Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays I’m in the salon.  

          “I wasn’t too keen on it first, but I’ve really grown to like it. I find it fun and interesting. Even if I continue this for the next 10 or so years and then change, I will always have this skill. I thought it would be quite easy, and then once I started doing it, there was a lot of standing, cleaning and tidying, but I realised there’s a lot I could learn while I’m doing it. It all started to click for me after my first Christmas – I was doing more in the salon, getting involved with more clients and enjoying it more. 

          “I enjoy doing colour, but I think I’m more of a cutting stylist. Once I start talking to a client, and get to know them a bit, that’s what I really enjoy. I really like the social side, all the different personalities. 

          “I’ll probably do my EPA next year, so I’m fully prepared. I might like my own salon one day, but I’m not much of a business type. I think I’d rather go into the events side, special occasion hair, weddings and Fashion Week.

          “I really enjoy working as part of a team. I can get help from everybody else when I don’t understand something, or if I need help with a client or doing a certain job. I feel I can rely on everybody else around me to help me with that.” 

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          “I can’t Imagine A World In Which I Would Have A Salon And Not Have An Apprentice”

          “I can’t Imagine A World In Which I Would Have A Salon And Not Have An Apprentice”

          Feb 10, 2025 | DOCUMENTS, DOCUMENTS HEADER, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

          “I can’t Imagine A World In Which I Would Have A Salon And Not Have An Apprentice”

          Stripe Colour Studio on why more salons need to invest in the next generation  

          by KELSEY | DOCUMENTS

          “Do you care what happens to the future of hairdressing? If you do, then you need to take apprentices on. It can’t just be every man for himself” – Nancy Stripe, owner of Stripe Colour Studio, Handforth 

          Victoria Lynch

          Nancy Stripe

          “I can’t imagine a world in which I would have a salon and not have an apprentice. The two go hand in hand, and as a salon owner, it frees you to do so much more for your own business.  

          “My job is not an everyday nine-to-five job – I do lots of different things outside of the salon and I can’t work the way I do without them. Zoe is now a graduate stylist and Kitty will be completing her apprenticeship this year, so I’ve always got to be thinking, ‘Where would I be this time next year if either of them left? What would happen?’ With them on the team, I can do more teaching and go to places I need to go. Apprentices are the most important people in the salon.  

          “I also like to bring them along to events and education as much as possible. I want to get them involved in things they find exciting because hairdressing is not an average job and there are so many avenues you can go down. When I went to London earlier this month, Kitty came with me and was my right hand while I was teaching. I want to show them that to curate your dream job with your dream clientele, this is where it starts. 

          “Salons need to show their apprentices what’s next. If you have some fun projects happening or things that aren’t necessarily everyday appointments, bring apprentices into the fold and allow them to be part of it. That, in turn, gives them a better view of what their career can be.  

          “It baffles me that everybody’s just thinking for themselves now. Do you care what happens to the future of hairdressing? If you do, then you need to take apprentices on. It can’t just be every man for himself.” 

          Tripe Clapham

          Zoe and Kitty working hard at Stripe Colour Studio

          “To do a hairdressing apprenticeship, you’ve got to really want to do it. You can’t be 50/50 about it” – Zoe Mcgruer, Graduate Stylist, Stripe Colour Studio, Handforth  

          Victoria Lynch

          Zoe Mcgruer

          “My mum is a hairdresser, so it’s something I’ve always considered doing for my career. I enjoyed doing all my friends’ hair, but I qualified as a nail technician first before deciding on this industry. It made me realise that I wanted to give hairdressing a go, so I came and worked for Nancy. 

          “In this area, there’s no other salon like us – no other space specialises in colour and grey blending, so I knew it was the right choice to work at Stripe. Everyone is so supportive in the team, and watching how everyone does things differently has made the experience so enjoyable.  

          “I’m newly qualified, and I’m still learning from Nancy as I go. If you’re not sure about something, just say how you feel. Be honest and say this isn’t working for me. If everyone’s honest with each other, you can move forward. There are no bad feelings. No one takes it personally.  

          “Finding a really good boss – someone who actually cares about you – is so important. Nancy doesn’t just care about how we are at work, but also outside of work; she always checks up on us. She looks out for us and I think you need that. It’s good to have guidance from someone experienced to support you with going in the right direction.

          “To do a hairdressing apprenticeship, you’ve got to really want to do it. You can’t be 50/50 about it – it’s a job that you’ve got to give 110 per cent in no matter what, because it is not an easy job to be doing. My advice is to find somewhere that suits you – don’t just stick it out if it’s not working.” 

          Nancy with Zoe and Kitty

          “It’s been one of the most positive journeys of my life, and I can’t take anything bad away from it” – Kitty Dyson, Apprentice, Stripe Colour Studio, Handforth 

          Kitty Dyson

          “I’m really happy with how I’m progressing through my apprenticeship. I can’t believe how fast the two years have gone and how fast I’ve learned everything. It’s been one of the most positive journeys of my life, and I couldn’t take anything bad away from it. 

          “My grandma was a hairdresser, so I grew up around it. I used to go to work with her if my parents couldn’t look after me, so I’d go and help her by passing the perm papers. I was always around it and hairdressing has always interested me. It’s the atmosphere of the salon that I love the most – we’re all in it together. It doesn’t matter what has happened before I arrive, I know we’re still going to have a nice day together. 

          “I’m with Nancy pretty much all day, so I’m by her side learning all the time. It could be watching a certain placement of the foils or a technique or product being used. I learn the why behind it and ask the questions that needed to be asked. I try to absorb as much knowledge as I can.  

          “While the first year was a slower pace, the second year has ramped up. Now, I will help Nancy with root shadows or blow-dries when she is back-to-back with clients. You can’t expect to be doing a set of highlights after a month of training; you need to be realistic with your expectations, but bit by bit, the pieces will all come together.”  

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          From Passion to Possibilities

          From Passion to Possibilities

          Jan 31, 2025 | EXPLORE, FREELANCE, HOME EXPLORE, SELF STYLED

          From Passion to Possibilities

          How Wella’s Passionistas programme inspires, educates and elevates freelancer, Heather Robertson

          by CAITLYN | EXPLORE

          For Heather, hairdressing has always been more than a job – it’s her greatest passion. With over 20 years working in the industry and eight as a freelancer, Heather has built a career around bridal styling, luxury home salon services and education. But going solo wasn’t just about independence; it was about embracing opportunities that aligned with her love for learning, creating, and inspiring others. 

          “I love being my own boss,” she reflects. “I laugh at myself because I say I have the freedom to come and go as I please, but when you’re self-employed, you tend to work way more than you ever would if you were employed. Still, the passion is there because you’re working for your own brand.” 

          This passion for hairdressing is what keeps Heather motivated. “I’ve always believed in making people feel like the best version of themselves,” she shares. “Whether it’s a bride on her wedding day or a client in my salon, that’s what drives me.” 

          Passion Turned Passionista  

          Her journey has been enriched by the Wella Passionistas programme, which she joined during lockdown and credits as a source of inspiration and growth. “I think it just became really obvious how much I love Wella as a company and how much I love sharing knowledge with other hairdressers,” Heather explains.  

          Her journey into the Passionistas began during lockdown when she went live three times a week, teaching techniques and engaging with fellow stylists. Through these sessions, her expertise and enthusiasm caught Wella’s attention. “I think they just saw how passionate I am about hairdressing and about continuously learning and sharing.” 

          “It’s great to be amongst like-minded people,” Heather says. “And naturally, the kind of guidance that Wella gives us as Passionistas – like being the first people to know about new products and innovations – is invaluable. We consistently get updates on what’s trending and how best to showcase our work, which keeps us inspired.” 

          “Having the Passionistas group is like a side turn on the road,” she explains. “You might plan to do something with your client, then a box arrives filled with new and exciting products, techniques and ideas. It keeps you inspired.” 

          For example, Wella’s new ‘Glass Hair’ technique has been a game-changer for Heather’s bridal clients. “It’s an additional service on top of a colour appointment, and it’s perfect for making their hair look flawless in the lead-up to their wedding. The Wella Professionals products allow me to refine my skills while introducing something new to my clients.” 

          Beyond the products, content days and hands-on education have been another major highlight of the initiative. “It’s incredible to be invited to these shoots where we create beautiful images, work with models and really showcase our artistry. For freelancers who don’t have the backing of a big salon, that kind of exposure is amazing.” 

          Social Media and Personal Brand 

          Social media didn’t just help Heather land a spot in the Passionistas programme, it remains a core part of how she educates and inspires others. 

          “The key is to provide value,” she says. “It’s not enough to just post what you’re doing in the salon. If you can share something that helps other stylists – whether it’s a technique, a product review or an insight – that’s what really resonates.” 

          Heather uses platforms like Instagram to showcase her work, share tips and build her brand. It’s also where she finds inspiration, saving posts and videos from other educators and hairdressers. “I have a folder of everything that sparks ideas. It’s a mix of things Wella sends through and trends I see online. It helps me stay ahead of the game.” 

          Freelancing offers freedom, but Heather emphasises the importance of structure and self-care. “One of the best pieces of advice I ever heard is to take time out to work on your business, not just in it,” she says. “As a freelancer, you’re both the boss and the employee. It’s easy to say yes to everything, but you need to take care of yourself too.” 

           

          For Heather, being part of the Wella Passionistas has been a career-defining experience. “It’s not just about being the first to try new products, it’s about being part of something bigger,” she says. “You’re constantly learning, you’re supported by Wella, and you’re part of a community that pushes you to grow.” 

          Looking ahead, Heather has no plans of slowing down. She’s continuing to build her education platform, expand her bridal styling expertise and explore new trends through the Wella Passionistas programme. “You could do this job for a million years and still never know everything,” she says. “There’s always something new to learn – and that’s what makes it so exciting.” 

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          “Quite Frankly, The Manufacturers Have Abandoned This Industry” – Why Boots Was A Step Too Far For Keune Boss Darren Potter

          “Quite Frankly, The Manufacturers Have Abandoned This Industry” – Why Boots Was A Step Too Far For Keune Boss Darren Potter

          Jan 21, 2025 | DOCUMENTS, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE, HOME INFORM, TALKING SHOP

          “Quite Frankly, The Manufacturers Have Abandoned This Industry” – Why Boots Was A Step Too Far For Keune Boss Darren Potter

          Should pro hair brands cut out the hair pro and sell direct to the consumer? Darren Potter doesn’t think so. Since becoming UK general manager of the Dutch family-owned Keune business three years ago, he’s taken a stance, refusing to put their products into Boots or online beauty shops and declaring that “loyalty to the hair pro is at the heart of everything we do.” And guess what: people are listening…

          by CATHERINE | DOCUMENTS

          It would be fair to say the word ‘professional’ matters a lot to Darren Potter. He has spent more than 30 years helping professional hair brands understand how to serve and support professional hairdressers and in 2017 resigned from the role of UK general manager at Aveda when parent company Estée Lauder declared they wanted to take it omni-channel. (“I turned round and said, ‘Well, I’m not going to be the leader that does that’.”)  Potter set up his own agency, Refocus, and spent four years working solo, consulting with distributors and helping brands get back on track after the pandemic. By 2021 one of those brands was Keune.

          Darren Potter

          “I knew of Keune but in my mindset at the time it was a low-end market brand run by wholesalers or distributors,” recalls Potter. “But I had a call with Mr Keune and his son Eelco (who was appointed President on January 1 this year, joining his father George on the Supervisory Board) and I got on really well with them, went over to the Netherlands to look at their operation and did a presentation on why I thought they should be in the UK market. I got as far as slide five when they said, ‘We want you to start’.”

          Reassured this was a brand committed to the hair pro for the longterm, Potter threw himself into the role. For the next three years, he worked tirelessly, securing warehouses and offices, creating a flagship salon and training academy, The House of Keune, in central London, signing Andrew Barton and Luke Benson as brand ambassadors and garnering increasing column inches from a fascinated trade press.

          It paid off. By the start of 2025, the Keune empire stood at 485 salons in the UK, including Potter’s most prestigious signing of 2024, the six-strong Trevor Sorbie group.

          “These manufacturers have left professional hairdressers high and dry by blatantly going direct to the consumer.”

          There’s a lot about Keune that ticks modern hairdressing boxes: there’s a collaborative, innovative feel to the brand, the products are high quality and sustainability is a priority. But the key difference that not only sets it apart from its competitors but makes it especially attractive to hairdressers who’ve felt increasingly disillusioned in recent years, is that it’s a family business and it treats its customers like family too. At a time when other brands are cutting back on people and doing everything online, Potter is growing his team and investing in networking events that bring his customers together IRL. “Whatever we do, whatever we put into the market, we ask ourselves if this is benefiting the hairdresser; it’s got to meet that test,” says Potter. “And it’s working. It’s resonating.”

          The house that Potter built: the impressive House of Keune in central London acts as a brand focal point

          Keune’s commitment to the hair professional is powerful and persuasive, but there is no doubt it was strengthened significantly when in 2023 a handful of major industry bands opted to make their professional products available in high street retailer Boots. Potter was on holiday in France when the news hit but immediately put out an announcement that Keune was 100 per cent loyal to the professional hairdresser, now and forever.

          “We just blasted social media with that message, and we got so much positive feedback because it was literally the day after the Boots story broke and people were really angry. And I don’t blame them – all pretence that these brands are committed to the professional was blown out of the water. It’s meant that I’m now speaking to influential people across our industry that I would never have been able to talk to before, because they see that what we’re doing and what we’re offering has integrity and is supporting them to grow their business.”

          How to succeed at retail, according to Darren Potter

          Don’t just put products on your shelves and hope they sell. Plan seriously.

          Decide what percentage of your turnover you want retail to be and reverse engineer back from there. The two key benchmarks I talk to salons about are these: for every 10 clients that come into your salon, I want five of them converting to colour and I want five buying professional haircare. Key to both those things is getting the consultation right because clients who spend on colour will always spend money on products that will protect that colour. Plus, you’ll get more rebookings!

          Although his competitors’ actions have benefitted him, Potter is bitter about the impact on the wider industry. “It really annoys me,” he says. “These manufacturers have left professional hairdressers high and dry by blatantly going direct to the consumer. They don’t care if that means they lose some business along the way – they’ll have built that into their calculations – but by prioritising their shareholders over their supposed brand values, they are causing major problems for our industry at a time when a cost of living crisis and Government legislation are already putting extra pressure onto the P&L of salon business. It’s unforgivable.”

          Committed to the pro: Keune have promised their products will never be found in Boots or online beauty shops

          Realistic that Keune’s professional-first stance puts it at a commercial disadvantage versus many of its rivals, Potter is nevertheless committed to growing retail sales in the professional channel. He’s created an ambassador programme that rewards salon loyalty and spend (there are separate programmes for session stylists and freelancers); the Keune online shop is set up so that salons always earn their margins, even if the consumer is buying direct; and Potter has even set up the business-focused Keune University that his team are obliged to attend three times a year so they can pass on the latest insight and knowledge to Keune customers.

          “What we’ve got to get better at in our industry is helping our customers to understand how retail can happen because hairdressers just switch off to it, thinking they can’t compete with online,” he says. “One of the most important things in a retail environment is getting the client in the seat because 97 per cent of the time that results in a purchase. Salons get consumers in the seat immediately but what they’re not good at is doing a really bespoke consultation with a prescriptive recommendation. We need to go back to the basics, which are that the hairdresser is the professional, with the right and the authority to tell the client what they must use and how to use it.”

          There’s no doubt Potter is fired up about the future, and given how industry disillusionment has led to many salons looking around for new partner brands, 2025 could be a huge year for Keune. “I was with a very influential hairdresser the other day and he was saying to me, ‘There’s no other brands doing what you’re doing, but I think you need to dial up how you communicate that into the industry, and don’t be afraid of upsetting the competition because they’ve already stuck their two fingers up to us.’ And I totally get that. I do want people to look at Keune and think, ‘That’s the brand I want to work with.’  But the most important thing to me is that if you’re unhappy with what your brand is doing, don’t just moan and groan – walk away. There are so many companies that will support you and help you grow, You’ve just got to pick the right one.”

          Discover more about what retail looks like now in the February issue of Creative HEAD.

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