Colour NOTES

With experience teaching in four different continents, Harriet Stokes takes us on a journey full of colour inspiration and creative foresight

Humans

Nature

The city

The sky

Travelling

What do you love most about being a colourist?

I love that you can tell endless stories through colour, and each part of the process is truly an art.

Where do you go for colour inspiration?

I tend to turn to the streets of London or wherever I am in the world. I try to pay more attention to what is happening around me and the real-life characters.

What are your favourite colouring techniques at the moment?

For me, it’s more about creating personalised colour rather than focusing on a favourite technique. I’m loving creating beautiful, bespoke colours for my clients that provide the longevity they are looking for at the moment. This means perfectly placed colour in the right areas, leaving pockets of depth to create a more natural feel.

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

It has to be dark roots to really light, ashy, silver ends.

Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?

I love platinum scalp bleaches and soft pastel tones.

What are the challenges facing colourists right now?

The cost-of-living crisis and pricing is a major challenge. Everyone is worried about money, but clients still want to come to see you. Be one step ahead of your clients and face the situation head on. Start suggesting new ideas for their hair that may be lower maintenance or a smaller service with a smaller price. I recently increased my prices and explained to my clients that I am here to create colour that works for their lifestyle. I want them to know that I am here to help in whatever way I can by creating a colour that works for their budget.

What has been your most memorable colour consultation?

I always ask my clients to bring in an image of colours they like and dislike. I once had a client whose 'dislike' mood board was all of my work! Imagine having to smile through that consultation while asking questions to figure out what about my work they didn’t like. My lesson here was that we can’t be the right hairdresser for everyone, and that’s ok.

What colour creation makes you most proud?

Any creation where you are part of someone’s transformational journey. I recently had a model on my course who’s a trans woman, and she had never had her hair coloured before. Being able to transform her hair was such a great experience and I will never forget seeing how emotional and overjoyed she was at the end.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The human connection. We build such special relationships with our clients, and the trust they have in us to create the perfect colour that they live with every single day is an honour.

What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?

The first five years of your career are the most important. Trust the process, learn the foundations, make them as strong as you can and don’t be in a rush. Enjoy the journey and never stop learning.