Frazer Wallace dishes colour tips

Here’s what global artist and educator Frazer Wallace has to tell stylists about finding colour inspiration, advertising your services, and aftercare

(Frazer Wallace; pictured left)

For many stylists, figuring out where their passions lie is a fundamental part of defining themselves in the industry. While some proudly wear the badge of all-rounders and love colour, cut and styling, others want to carve out a particular niche.

Becoming a bona fide colour expert is something that has captured many a stylist’s imagination, and it formed a big discussion at the 2023 L’Oréal Colour Congress, which took place at its brand-spanking new London Academy in White City.

There, global stylist and educator Frazer Wallace offered advice to others on where and how to find colour inspiration. Here’s what we took away from the maestro…

(Frazer; pictured right with Darren Ambrose; pictured left at L’Oreal Colour Congress)

Don’t stress about trends

According to Frazer, the colour industry has changed a lot and it’s no longer about trends for trends’ sake. Instead, it’s about “finding inspiration from trends and tailoring it”.

Clients want change!

Frazer believes that colour clients are after instant change today, so it is better for the stylist to remove more translucent colours than denser ones. Here’s where the iNOA shades by L’Oréal Professionnel Paris come in. “I love the translucency and softness of the colour,” he says.

Social media is great but…

While social media is a great tool to use to build up your client base and “push yourself out to the industry”, don’t take it too seriously, he warned. He advised not to get caught up with emulating the work of stylists with millions of followers. “It isn’t authentic,” he added.

Think about what you post

“Don’t post the looks you hate to do,” he explained. If you love balayage, then post your balayage work. What Frazer says sounds obvious, but it is often overlooked, as by posting colour work you think looks impressive, you’re likely to get more clients after that service, so make sure it’s something you are willing to do more of!

(Frazer’s hair model; pictured above)

Bring cut and colour together

Don’t let your cutting skills fall by the wayside in favour of colour. “Under a good colour has to be a good cut,” he said. He’s right, whether you’re a cutter or colourist, both stylists must understand the other discipline to ensure an overall smashing result.

Try a bake after colour

Colour is a major cause of damage, but Frazer has a superhero product under his sleeve to help. Apply Absolut Repair Oil by L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, a leave-in product, to dry, blasted hair, then bake into the strands using a straightener. The result? A silk-like shine even with heavily coloured locks.

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