explore news CONVERSATIONS HEADER Creative head x authentic beauty concept techniques header inform home inform freelance content connect home connect inform header home explore documents header creative projects header
The Playful Colour Trend To Know For The Season Ahead

The Playful Colour Trend To Know For The Season Ahead

Mar 28, 2025 | EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE, TECHNIQUES, TECHNIQUES HEADER

The Playful Colour Trend To Know For The Season Ahead

Charlotte O’Flanagan shares how to paint the perfect pastel Tones

by KELSEY | EXPLORE

pastel hair from Charlotte Paints Hair

With spring officially upon us, it heralds the perfect opportunity for clients to get playful with pastel tones and experiment with a new look, especially if they are attending festivals, special occasions or off on a trip abroad.

Known for her creative colour, including blush pink, cowboy copper and sweet peach, Charlotte O’Flanagan (Charlotte Paints Hair on Instagram) shares how to deliver the perfect pop of pastel in your salon.

The Formula

From back of head to face:

  • Teal – 1g Jade, 1g Blue, 70g Clear
  • Yellow – 1g Neon Yellow, 140g Clear
  • Orange – 2g Flame, 0.5g Yellow, 100g Clear
  • Lavender – 3g Lavender, 2g Fuchsia, 100g Clear
  • Lime – 3g Lime, 100g Clear
  • Pink – 1g Fuchsia, 1g Ruby, 100g Clear

The Process

Step one: I pre-lightened the hair using 20vol Progress Davines as a scalp bleach for the 8-week top-up
Step two: I let it develop until the hair reached a pale yellow – light enough to ensure my pastel direct dyes would maintain their vibrancy.
Step three: I then toned with Davines Quartz for a soft, pearly base, creating the perfect canvas for vivid colours.

For application, I worked in diagonal sections, starting with thicker sections at the top and gradually thinning toward the ears, allowing the colours to fall forward and blend naturally.

Each of the six shades was applied at the roots first, then seamlessly blended through to the ends. I made sure that the first and last colours were deeper and more saturated to enhance the melting effect while still maintaining contrast.

Why It’s Trending

With festival season approaching, pastel hues provide a fun, creative change with minimal commitment. They fade back to blonde, making them perfect for clients who want a temporary pop of colour or are looking to experiment with a new look.

Who Does It Work For?

Ideal for blondes wanting to explore something new, pastel tones can be tailored to suit a variety of skin tones. Warm and cool shades can be adjusted accordingly, making this a versatile and playful option for all clients.

Perfect Pairing

For a statement look with delicate balance, a strong, blunt bob just above the shoulders keeps the style fresh, chic and effortlessly head-turning.

Continue Reading

They’re In A Different League 

They’re In A Different League 

Mar 25, 2025 | CREATIVE PROJECTS, EXPLORE

A Creative HEAD shoot in partnership with Diva Pro Styling  

Each hair stylist has their own little idiosyncrasies when it comes to styling techniques. Give each stylist a brief, with the same tools, and each one will deliver something completely different… so, that’s what we did. Creative HEAD, in partnership with Diva Pro Styling, assembled Rebecca Jacques, Birte Klintworth and Giuseppe Stelitano and gave each their own brief – challenging them to bring concepts to life on three different heads of hair, all helped to life by the breadth of Diva Pro Styling tools in their kit bags, including the new range of Diva Atmos Professional Stylers.   

These briefs were set within the prism of S/S25 runway trends. Think Chloë, a fashion house that often sees its show models sporting ‘undone’ hair, but sending their looks down the S/S25 catwalk noticeably more dressed and ‘done’. From celebrity looks to client requests, there’s a noticeable return to hair that looks styled. And this is the season to try something fresh – from festivals to summer parties, events to holiday hair, we’ve pushed our stylists to the ‘finish’ line to create wearable looks with an editorial vibe that clients will covet.   

For a few years, beauty trends have shied away from anything that looked like you made a real effort. Slowly, we’ve seen a return to hair that looks ‘done’. From Sabrina Carpenter to the wives of Capitol Hill, big hair is BACK. It’s blown out, it’s bouncy and it’s bringing us back to the ‘90s… Giuseppe Stelitano has embraced the big brief and delivered to the max.  

For a few years, beauty trends have shied away from anything that looked like you made a real effort. Slowly, we’ve seen a return to hair that looks ‘done’. From Sabrina Carpenter to the wives of Capitol Hill, big hair is BACK. It’s blown out, it’s bouncy and it’s bringing us back to the ‘90s… Giuseppe Stelitano has embraced the big brief and delivered to the max.  

The Look: Hair was prepped with mousse and blasted dry using the Diva Professional Atmos 2 Atom Hair Dryer. Then section by section, Giuseppe used the Digital Crimper from the root to the nape to set in that texture he needed for the final updo. Once done, he brushed through, shaped then twisted hair in pieces before pinning. Using the new Atmos Professional 13mm Super Slim Styler, he straightened small sections to create a windblown effect (“I can go literally to the edge, tapping at the ends and bending over at the root”).  

The Trick: “Because I need the volume, especially on the top, I use the Digital Crimper vertically and kept going upwards,” says Giuseppe. “You’re almost directing the roots as well.” 

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Atom Hair Dryer; Digital Crimper

The Look: This is almost an undone updo, a little messy but elevated. Giuseppe started by gently stretching out Rubi’s curls using the Atmos 2 Atom Hair Dryer and his fingers. Then he added a couple of donuts on the top of the head to build the hair up. After brushing the hair, around the hairline, he went in with the new Atmos Professional 13mm Super Slim Styler to create a soft wave. He then switched to the 25mm Standard Styler, where there was more hair to manage. Visually building up the hair and to add definition, he used the 19mm Digital Tong on selected areas on top and through the front sections.   

The Trick: “I use the Atmos Professional Styler almost for backcombing, on a lower heat,” says Giuseppe. “I use it at the end, to finish the look – pulling down, so it almost locks in a nice, soft flatness.” 

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Atom Hair Dryer; Atmos Professional 13mm Super Slim Styler; Atmos Professional 25mm Standard Styler; 19mm Digital Tong  

 

The Look: We’re donning the red swimsuit and heading back to the ‘90s for this one, as Giuseppe found inspiration in the iconic blonde waves of Pamela Anderson. Using the Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer with a nozzle (“The Ultra has a bit more power”) he blow-dried section by section with a round brush, drying any product – he used thickening spray – from roots to ends. He then turned to the new Atmos Professional 25mm Standard Styler, taking sections (not too big) and creating a glamorous blow dry. Finally, fixing the diffuser to the dryer, he diffused the hair lightly on a cold setting before finishing with the Atmos Professional 25mm Standard Styler – again through the front, adding a bigger curl. 

The Trick: “I over-direct the hair forward,” says Giuseppe. “Then with the styler, you can go close to the roots, give it the first bend – this will determine the type of curl – and then slowly, gently, just pull the styler up, holding the ends of the hair while you’re doing it, so you still have control. This gives curl and hold.” 

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer with a nozzle and a diffuser; Atmos Professional 25mm Standard Styler 

The embrace of natural texture over the past few years has been a breath of fresh air, creating space for anyone with any kind of kink or coil to get playful. Rebecca Jacques understood the assignment, from the perennially popular beachy wave (with added micro braids!) to wet-look zigzag bends to the swept-over joy of a cloud of delicately embellished coils. 

The embrace of natural texture over the past few years has been a breath of fresh air, creating space for anyone with any kind of kink or coil to get playful. Rebecca Jacques understood the assignment, from the perennially popular beachy wave (with added micro braids!) to wet-look zigzag bends to the swept-over joy of a cloud of delicately embellished coils. 

The Look: Hair was prepped with mousse and hydration spray then blow-dried using the Diva Professional Ultra 2 Atmos Hair Dryer. With the new Atmos Professional 13mm Super Slim Styler, she added kink and bend to horizontal sections of hair, using low elevation and a high tension – pulling out the volume a little bit towards the ends, rather than forcing it into a new shape and structure. She also went through with the Digital Wave & Curl to create a more stretched out wave in places. Hair was slicked back using the edges of a detailed editorial brush – “you get a super slick sideburn area” – before finishing with a strong centre part, and two tiny triangles of hair pulled through. The Atmos Professional Wide Styler straightened the ends. 

The Trick: “There was a variation on how tight we pressed the Digital Wave & Curl into the hair,” says Rebecca. “Sometimes we got a more intense imprint, other times it was slightly softer.”

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer; Atmos Professional 13mm Super Slim Styler and 42mm Wide Styler; Digital Wave & Curl 

The Look: Taking zigzag sections prepped with a dry texture spray for grip, mainly along the parietal ridge, Rebecca created pockets of texture using the new Atmos Professional 25mm Standard Styler. When it’s all brushed out, it’s less uniform, more lived in – it was about enhancing Gerda’s natural texture rather than pulling it out. Rebecca straightened the edges with the styler, then added some skinny braids to finish the look. 

The Trick: “Rather than the ‘S’ bend you normally see, I’m physically curling it and then turning it straight all the way around to continue that pattern,” says Rebecca. “Keep the styler completely vertical, because we’re not looking at volumising at the root. Straightening out that edge afterwards gives it a cool, lived-in look.”

The Tools: Diva Atmos Professional 25mm Standard Styler

The Look: Using a cocktail of mousse, hydration spray and serum, some of the hair was twisted into place at the back, where the curl pattern was different to the front. A lot of the prep was done using the Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer (“Because it’s got a deeper diffuser, you can really get into the root area, but I love the smaller one for the more detailed curls, too.”). Rebecca looked at which curls required more definition, working through horizontally with the section pattern, armed with the Gold Dust Multi Wand with the micro barrel. Because Rubi’s hair was going to be pushed over to one side, she alternated the curl pattern so that it pushed against the root for maximum lift. Some of the curls were broken up with Rebecca’s fingers to expand the shape, then to add a little more flare, she flattened out part of the root with the Multi Wand using a compressing technique, elevating the hair with high tension away from the scalp. 

The Trick: You’ll notice the detail at the side, where Rebecca went super low to keep it more editorial, using a tail comb to press and set the hair against the scalp using a cool shot from the Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer. 

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer with diffuser; Gold Dust Multi Wand using the micro barrel. 

This trend has an air of superiority, an edge that demands that you look but don’t touch. It’s about a deliberate application of care and curation, planned and prepped for the ultimate outcome. Birte Klintworth’s understanding of the brief has amplified this idea of ‘perfection’ beyond the norm. Texture is retained, playful elements are applied but everything is seen through a lens that is altogether editorial and fresh. 

his trend has an air of superiority, an edge that demands that you look but don’t touch. It’s about a deliberate application of care and curation, planned and prepped for the ultimate outcome. Birte Klintworth’s understanding of the brief has amplified this idea of ‘perfection’ beyond the norm. Texture is retained, playful elements are applied but everything is seen through a lens that is altogether editorial and fresh. 

The Look: Hair was prepped smooth with a strong blow dry, thanks to a round brush and the Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer (“It’s great because it makes the hair super shiny as well”). Using the 25mm Digital Tong (with a little hairspray for hold), Birte took some sections of hair and over the surface used the roundness of the tong but also the clamp to create clearly defined edges. “I don’t want to make them look too busy,” says Birte. “It’s really about placement and visually seeing what makes sense, looking back into the mirror to see how it’s evolving. I’m keeping it very minimal, because that’s going to make it look smoother and pristine.” 

The Trick: “I hold the tong horizontally,” says Birte. “I put the tong on top of the hair, and then I bend the hair against the clamp, so on the upper level, there’s going to be a mark, and then on the lower level, you can see the curve of the top.” 

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer; Digital Tong in 25” 

The Look: Firstly, the hair in the nape zone was blow-dried upwards, then fixed into a pony – tied with an elastic. The sides were dressed with plenty of setting spray and once set, Birte tied the hair sections up and over the existing ponytail. Her last section – the top of the hair – leaving a little bit of a visible parting, is dressed the same way. Twisting the hair up, Birte applied hairspray at the ends, and using the Atmos Professional XXL Styler, straightened them into more definitive spikes.  

The Trick: “I prepped the hair with the Atmos Dryer, blow drying from the roots into the direction of my ponytail.”

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer; Atmos Professional 51mm XXL Wide Styler  

The Look: Birte tied a ponytail, very smooth and close to the natural shape of Rubi’s head, but with a strip of hair left out in the front. That was dried using the Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer with the diffuser attachment and draped on top of the flatter surface. Birte saturated the hair in the ponytail with a curl cream and then diffused it “so it can really settle and get a nice volume”. Once dry, she used an elastic to tie the hair – creating her own unique sculpture. “I create a little bit of definition in some places,” says Birte. “You can see the curl, but that one piece of elastic is running through and tied in different places.” She then turned to the Micro Stick to define a couple of pieces.  

The Trick: “I pick up the natural texture and don’t manipulate it much, using the Micro Stick,” says Birte. “I just want to give it a little more definition.” 

The Tools: Diva Professional Atmos 2 Ultra Hair Dryer with diffuser; Micro Stick 

A Creative HEAD shoot in partnership with Diva Pro Styling  

Photography: Harvey Williams-Fairley, assisted by Loredana Hrinciuc   

Hair: Rebecca Jacques, assisted by Aimee Atkins; Birte Klintworth, assisted by Amber Carpen; Giuseppe Stelitano, assisted by Tiziana Di Marcelli – all for Diva Pro Styling

Key tools: Diva Atmos Professional Styler – XXL Wide 51mm, Wide 42mm and Super Slim 13mm; Atmos 2 Dryer; Atmos 2 Atom Dryer; Atmos Micro Stick; Digital Crimper; Digital Wands

Fashion: Issie Gibbons

Make-up: Eliza Clarke, assisted by Babi Campos 

Editorial: Amanda Nottage (Creative HEAD)

Digital and social media: Kelsey Dring (Creative HEAD), Caitlyn Brandom (Creative HEAD), with video editing support from Rux Amarazeanu 

Creative direction and production: Joanna Kidd (Creative HEAD)

Models: Rubi Deschamps (W MGMT), Gerda Kazakeviciute (W MGMT), Ping (Named Models)

Shot at Spring Studios in London  

  

 

Continue Reading

In A Different World 

In A Different World 

Mar 24, 2025 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM

Promotion

In A Different World

Innovative and heavenly to hair health, the new Atmos Professional Stylers from Diva Pro Styling ensure your tailored finish is speedy and shiny – all without damaging your client’s hair  

When you reach for your heated styler, you want to know you can trust it. That it’s going to give you incredible results quickly, and without damaging your client’s hair. Meet the innovative new range of stylers that you can put your trust in – and deliver deliciously different (but always gorgeous) finishes unique to your signature style and bespoke to each client in your chair.  

 The new Diva Atmos Professional Stylers herald the next generation of styling, signalling a groundbreaking advancement in pro hair tools. You’ll get unprecedented speed, efficiency and care, all thanks to the intelligent Adaptive Heat Technology that continually adjusts the heat output of the styler’s plates, ensuring consistent heat from root to tip. We’re talking true one-pass styling – that means saving you precious salon time while minimising heat damage for your client. 

With your styler an extension of your skilled expert hand, you need to know it’s going to always deliver. Why should you trust the new Diva Atmos Professional tools? Let’s break it down…  

 Heat Recovery? They’ve Got It Nailed!   
With an industry-leading recovery rate of 12°C per second, Atmos is twice as fast as comparable tools, maintaining the precise temperature needed for flawless results.  

Clever Heaters = Better Results  
They use premium MCH heaters for stable uniform temperature, longer lifespan and energy efficiency.  

Healthy Styling, Thanks To Oil Power! 
Floating ceramic plates infused with macadamia and argan oils, alongside keratin, deliver enhanced shine and nourishment, while far-infrared heat protects natural oils.  

Versatile And User-Friendly  
They’re available in four plate widths – 13mm Super Slim Styler; 25mm Standard Styler; 42mm Wide Professional Styler; 51mm XXL Wide Styler. Atmos Professional suits every hair type and styling need, whether hair is short, textured, long or voluminous. The rounded housing makes curling effortless, while silicone heat-protective cool tips keep your fingertips safe!  

Professional Precision  
You have the power thanks to adjustable heat settings from 80°C to 235°C, a three-metre heat-resistant swivel cord and an auto shut-off function. These stylers are reliable and energy efficient.  

You Can Go Global   
Designed with multi-voltage capabilities and a UK/EU plug adaptor, the Atmos Professional Stylers are ideal for worldwide use – great for global travel.  

Brilliant For Business In The Salon   
As a busy stylist, you’ll love the faster, consistent results that cut down on styling time. These stylers also deliver locked-in curls, waves and flicks that last longer. And that clever energy-saving technology means they’re cost effective across the long term. Boom!   

With Diva Pro Styling you have the ideal fusion of cutting-edge technology with practical design, all with one goal in mind – to meet the evolving needs of stylists and consumers around the world. And with the new Atmos Professional Stylers, you have that perfect blend of innovation, efficiency and hair health right at your fingertips, empowering you to create. Showcase your difference with Diva Pro Styling.    

Deliver the different to your client every time, whatever their style, whatever their hair type, with Divo Pro Styling’s new Atmos Professional Stylers. For more information, visit divapro.co.uk.  

@divaprostyling  

Continue Reading

Let’s Boss This Gloss!

Let’s Boss This Gloss!

Jan 17, 2025 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Let’s Boss This Gloss!

Could your next colour creation see you scoop a prize at Redken’s digital Shades EQ Gloss Boss Awards 2025? For your chance to shine, enter now…

Promotion – Redken

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS 

VTCT

Glazed, glossy, gorgeous – hair that beams with high-shine colour and a healthy-looking finish? That’s what stops the scroll and gets clients booking a slot in your chair. But are you shouting about your shine skills to the max? If you’re a genius at beautiful blondes and blessed at building brilliant brunettes or have nailed chic colour on curls and coils, could you be a future winner of Redken’s easy-to-enter digital Shades EQ Gloss Boss Awards 2025?

Kicking off on Monday 6 January, the Gloss Boss Awards brings your colour skills to life, giving you the chance to illustrate exactly what you can do with a bowl and brush, as well as the personality power that brings your clients back time and time again.

 

Redken gloss boss awards logo

All captured on a before/after Instagram Reel, your entry can deliver your grade-A glossing skills with a side order of fun.

So, let’s do this! First, you have three categories to showcase your colour creativity and professional difference – Blonding Boss, Brunette Boss or Texture Boss. And there’s also a People’s Choice category, with a winner voted from the runners-up from the three main categories, giving everyone a second bite of the cherry…

Category nailed? Now it’s on to the fun bit! Choose your model (any gender, identity or hair type), land on a technique (it’s got to show off serious shine!), then capture it all in an Instagram Reel lasting a maximum of 60 seconds, with ‘before and after’ looks.

To grab eyeballs, your Reel should be brilliantly executed and include details of those vital formulas and techniques. The Gloss Boss Award judges – and that’s an impressive roster! – will be on the hunt for colour, technique and placement skills, as well as a jaw-dropping style and finish to seal the deal.

The look you create? It must be inspired by upcoming trends, while also reflecting all those pro skills that you have in your personal toolbox. And, as a pro, you know that it’s always vital to ensure your colour work maintains the integrity of the hair. Your final finish must gleam with a stunning shine and a healthy-looking lustre.

Now the tech bit. You’ve got your Reel edited to perfection with a great soundtrack – now upload it to the Redken Gloss Boss Awards portal. Done that? Excellent – now let’s share it wide! Post it to Instagram, and be sure to use the hashtags for your chosen category.

Lauren Roads, winner of the UKI and European Gloss Boss Brunette category in 2024 for her brunette old money bob, nabbed a trip to NYC! “When I submitted my UKI entry back in March, I never imagined I would win the European heat in Berlin and then get to experience ‘the city that never sleeps’!” she says. “Since winning, my passion for Shades EQ and my confidence have soared.”

And she’s got a top tip, too. “Don’t over complicate your technique. Remember, sometimes less is more! Have fun, and enjoy the process. This is your sign to enter the Gloss Boss Awards 2025 – you have to participate to win!”.

This year’s prizes include an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City for two to attend a signature class at the Redken 5th Avenue Exchange. Runners-up will receive complimentary tickets to a Redken Masterclass and Redken on Stage. Buzzing to be a Shades EQ Gloss Boss? Yup, it’s on – what are you going to choose…?

Which Gloss Will You Boss?

BLONDING BOSS

You love the lighter side of life, from beaming babylights to intricate balayages… and brilliance beyond! Whatever your choice, your blondes shine like a star, with 60 per cent of the end result between a level 7 and 10.

BRUNETTE BOSS

Like it a little darker, huh? We’ve got you covered. Tantalising toffee or mocha- infused coffee? Whatever mouthwatering option you land on, ensure you work on a natural base between levels 2 to 6 with an end result on a level 4 to 7.

TEXTURE BOSS

Love playing with pattern? Curls look bare without colour? This is for YOU!

Showcase beautifully tended textured hair between 3A and 4C that’s perfectly balanced with colour too, and with a result between level 4 and 10.

Enter Redken’s digital Shades EQ Gloss Boss Awards 2025 by visiting redkenglossbossawards.co.uk. Entries close 28 February. 

Continue Reading

Jo Hansford MBE wins Royal Warrant of Appointment

Jo Hansford MBE wins Royal Warrant of Appointment

Dec 19, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Jo Hansford MBE wins Royal Warrant of Appointment 

Legendary colourist secures recognition of services supplied to the Royal Household

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Pantone Colour of the Year Mocha Mousse
One of the most iconic colourists on the planet, Jo Hansford MBE has been granted a prestigious Royal Warrant of Appointment in recognition of services supplied to the Royal Household.  

With salons in Mayfair and in Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge and a staff of more than 90, Jo has been described as the ‘first lady of colour’ and ‘best tinter on the planet’. The Royal Warrant is one of only seven made by The Queen, who was a regular client for three decades. 

“It’s a real honour to be granted a Royal Warrant from The Queen, who I have been proud to have as a client for more than three decades,” said Jo. “I think it is particularly wonderful that The Queen awarded it to an all-female owned and run business. It really shows that with grit and determination you can achieve truly incredible things.”  

In the 1960s, Jo worked at the iconic Vidal Sassoon salon for more than 15 years. She launched her original salon in Mayfair in 1993 and also unveiled her own product line. She moved to larger premises in 2012 and extended further into Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge in 2022. Her hard work was recognised with an MBE for outstanding service to the hairdressing industry in 2010. 

“To receive a royal warrant is the ultimate endorsement of our commitment to service, quality, and to our clients,” added Joanna Hansford, Jo’s daughter and managing director of the salons. “We are an independently run, family business, and this means the world to us and our staff, and it also sends a positive message to the hairdressing industry.”  

While guests who fly in from Europe, America, Australia and the UAE are affectionally called “our hair miles clients” by Jo and her team – and other regulars include international royals, politicians, celebrities and high-profile businesswomen and men – the colourist ensures that all clients get the same treatment. “We value each and every one of them and are always grateful that they choose to come to us. We never take them for granted – as soon as you do that standards can slip,” she said. 

The epitome of luxury and service, the salons operate in a similar way to the capital’s hotels and restaurants, with teams focused on client liaison, as well as in-house manicurists and qualified chefs. 

“I feel incredibly proud of what I have achieved, and I still get the same thrill at seeing someone leave the salon happy, full of confidence, with their hair looking amazing, just like I did when I first started,” added Jo.  

Pantone Colour of the Year Mocha Mousse

Continue Reading