Creative HEAD Ireland January/February 2020

In print•online•everywhere!
€7.50 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
READY
TO
PLAY?

TAYLOR WARD, JO HANSFORD SALON
WELCOME TO
THE PLAYGROUND!
When Creative HEAD invited four cool colourists from iconic UK salons to get playful with new-look
Majirel from L’Oréal Professionnel, the results were stunning. Come and see…
KATIE HALE, CHARLES WORTHINGTON SALONS

ANGEL MONTAGUE-SAYERS, SALLY MONTAGUE HAIR GROUP
CREATIVE HEAD PARTNERSHIP
AMBER SWIFT, CHARLIE MILLER HAIRDRESSING

PLAY WITH FIRE
You can’t disappear when you’re rocking red – and a cool, crisp copper is the most chic choice right now. There’s
a rippling effect of tones that brings this deliberately daring finish to life… Have you got a client who’s ready to play
with fire?

THE ICONIC SALON: CHARLIE MILLER HAIRDRESSING
THE COOL COLOURIST: AMBER SWIFT
CREATIVE HEAD PARTNERSHIP
MORE THAN HALF a century after it first opened
its doors in Edinburgh, Charlie Miller Hairdressing
has a generation-spanning story that many
hairdressing families will recognise, with the
baton being passed from father to sons. Now a
five-salon group, the brand has a simple ethos:
constant creativity. Always progressing, always
surprising. You’ll find brilliant colourist Amber
Swift at the Holy Corner salon, where she’s also
salon manager and has a list of fervently loyal
clients. “Majirel has amazing durability and
vibrancy,” she says. “If a client comes in asking for
a bright colour, you know you’ve got the security
to achieve it.”
AMBER’S FORMULA l ROOTS: MAJIREL RUBILANE 6.40 + 20 VOL, MAJIREL RUBILANE 7.45
+ 20 VOL, MAJIREL RUBILANE 8.43 + 20 VOL, MAJIREL CARMILANE C6.46 + 20 VOL + 4ML SMARTBOND IN EACH MIX
l LENGTHS & ENDS: RUBILANE 7.45 + 20 VOL, MAJIREL RUBILANE 8.43 + 20 VOL + 4ML SMARTBOND IN EACH MIX

ATOMIC BLONDE
Why are there so many iconic lines about blondes? They have more fun, so they’re perfect to get playful with.
From honey-hued to icy finishes, the full spectrum of blonde is a colourist’s dream. And with the social media trend
of biscuit blonde growing ever more popular, the cooler finish is building an army of fans

THE ICONIC SALON: SALLY MONTAGUE HAIR GROUP
THE COOL COLOURIST: ANGEL MONTAGUE-SAYERS
CREATIVE HEAD PARTNERSHIP
37 YEARS IN and the Sally Montague Hair Group
in Derby is still growing, still evolving. It’s a
forward-thinking business that’s established itself
as a premium brand for discerning clients looking
for impeccable service, on-trend expertise and
a personalised look. Angel Montague-Sayers
found her fashion footing early, working tirelessly
to build her name in the session world, and now
she’s back in the salon applying her fashionforward
style in the busy colour department.
“Majirel was the first range I ever used when I
started colouring,” says Angel. “I’ve grown up
with it and it’s grown, too. I recently completed
my L’Oréal Colour Specialist degree and Majirel
played a huge part in that.”
ANGEL’S FORMULA l ROOTS: MAJIREL COOL INFORCED 8.1 + 12.5 VOL+ 4MLS SMARTBOND
l LENGTHS AND ENDS: BLOND STUDIO MULTI TECHNIQUE 8 + 20 VOL
l TONING: ½ MAJIREL GLOW CLEAR + ½ MAJIREL COOL INFORCED 10.13 + 4 MLS SMARTBOND

MAKE MINE A MOCHA
There’s an air of mystery to a bold brunette – a confidence, a don’t-mess-with-me attitude. Brunettes are the lifeblood
of the salon but, if we’re honest, they’re rarely seen as a hotbed of creativity. Let’s play away the grey with something a
bit more inventive, shall we? Espresso? Americano? We like our coffee shades served hot

THE ICONIC SALON: JO HANSFORD SALON
THE COOL COLOURIST: TAYLOR WARD
CREATIVE HEAD PARTNERSHIP
LEGEND IS A title that needs to be earned, and
colour queen Jo Hansford has done that and then
some – in fact, she’s been dubbed one of the best
tinters on the planet. With an expertise in colour
honed over decades, Jo’s been passing on her
colour skills to her Mayfair salon team for the
past 27 years, creating a squad of innovative and
in-demand colourists and stylists. Taylor Ward
joined Jo Hansford salon aged just 19, but her
precise eye for colour and strong creative streak
saw her complete her training in record time.
She has since become one of Jo’s most trusted
colourists. “I’m a real Majirel girl – ask anyone in
the salon!” she says. “The colours are so reliable,
and you can get creative with all the tones. It’s so
innovative, too.”
TAYLOR’S FORMULA l ROOTS: ¾ MAJIREL 6 + ¼ MAJIREL 5 + 12.5 VOL + 4MLS SMARTBOND
l LENGTHS AND ENDS: PARTIAL TECHNIQUE MAJIREL COOL COVER 7.18 + 20 VOL + 4MLS
SMARTBOND AND MAJIREL COOL COVER 6.8 + 20 VOL + 4 MLS SMARTBOND

PEARL’S GIRL
Hello pretty pastels! There something about a clean-canvassed client who starts talking sugared almond shades
that makes a colourist’s heart flutter. They’re the ultimate playground for the creative technician, painting in pops
of rainbow brights and shimmery hues. Pearly, translucent, lustrous… you’ve gotta love those pearly queens

THE ICONIC SALON: CHARLES WORTHINGTON SALONS
THE COOL COLOURIST: KATIE HALE
CREATIVE HEAD PARTNERSHIP
FROM TV WORK TO red carpet styling, Charles
Worthington MBE is a hairdressing icon and no
mistake – his eponymous salon group has been
at the forefront of modernity in London for more
than 35 years. As head of colour, Katie Hale works
closely with Charles and the creative team to
predict and then educate on the future season’s
trends and techniques that clients will be craving.
“What I love about Majirel, and the reason it’s
iconic, is that there is something for everyone
within the range,” she says. “Whether you’re
covering white or your client wants a metallic
finish, there’s a vast choice of colours and shades
that are mixable, reliable and provide natural,
effortless results.”
KATIE’S FORMULA l HIGHLIGHTS: BLOND STUDIO PLATINIUM PLUS + BLOND STUDIO NUTRI
DEVELOPER 20 VOL l FRINGE: MAJIREL GLOW L02 + 12.5 VOL + 4MLS SMARTBOND
l TONING : MAJIREL GLOW ½ L02 + ½ MAJIREL GLOW CLEAR + 12.5 VOL + 4MLS SMARTBOND

CREATIVE HEAD PARTNERSHIP
AN ICON IS ICONIC FOR A REASON
YOU REFRESH. YOU UPDATE. You stay relevant in a fast-changing world.
With the Majirel line from L’Oréal Professionnel there’s a very special
formula of heritage and innovation that keeps it at the forefront.
We loved celebrating the fresh new look of the legendary Majirel from
L’Oréal Professionnel – its new innovative Cool Inforced shades and
shimmering GLOW range – with cool colourists from some of the most
iconic salon brands in the UK. But let’s make one thing crystal clear: with
Majirel, everything’s changed but that iconic formula: one that colourists
across the globe have loved playing with for more than 40 years. It’s just
that now, there’s even more to play with...
Hair by Amber Swift and Cat Nicholson, Charlie Miller Hairdressing; Angel Montague Sayers, Sally Montague Hair Group assisted by Steph Faulkner;
Katie Hale, Charles Worthington Salons assisted by Lauren Yarnell; Taylor Ward and Frankie Moody, Jo Hansford Salon assisted by Megan Harris.
Photography by Lewis Hayward, assisted by Lucy Rooney. Behind-the-scenes photography by Harvey Williams-Fairley, Capture Collect. Styling by
Holley Coopey assisted by Olivia Jones. Make-up by Lucy Joan Pearson assisted by Annabel Clark. Models Copper: Johanna Adde at Nevs Model
Agency, Blonde: Victoria Palmer at Nevs Model Agency, Pearly Rose: Tara Keys at First Model Management, Brunette: Thaise Nicoleto at
Zone Models. Shot at Spring Studios

MAJIREL.
NEW PACK DESIGN.
PLAY WITH IT
L’Oréal Professionnel’s iconic colour line
has had a makeover. Take a look!
ARE YOU A LITTLE obsessive about your colour
bar? Want to know everything is in its right
place, so you can grab exactly what you want
in a flash, without a worry? Then bow down
and worship Majirel’s new pack design. It’s
minimalist. It’s fresh. It’s clean. There’s one pack
per colour family and the shade number clearly
marked to face you as you search for your hue,
making it the epitome of user-friendly. From ash
to warm browns, each pack includes between
five and 25 shades corresponding to their
colour family. So bring a little joy to your
colour shelves…
Of course, we’re all looking to be more
environmentally aware, and Majirel’s new
pack design ticks the box when it comes to
sustainability with its new 100 per cent recycled
plastic cap. Pop that cap, it’s play time!

#PLAYWITHMAJIREL
CREATIVE HEAD ADVERTORIAL

AND NOW THERE’S EVEN
MORE TO PLAY WITH!
Say hello to new Cool Inforced shades in February
A MAJOR PART in making Majirel iconic is the large colour palette. And now it just got bigger. Today you can play
around endlessly with more than 150 shades, and from February eight new Cool Inforced shades. You’ll see new
beige and ash shades boosted in cool reflects, so you can tap into that cooler trend while fighting brassiness for
up to 21 shampoos and keeping the tone neutral for up to six weeks. And, as every colourist knows, predictability
doesn’t have to be boring. Being certain you’ll get what you want and what you need allows you the freedom to be
creative without that nagging little worry that this result might not turn out quite as you’d hoped. The reliability of
Majirel fuels you to be fearless, to dare to try something different.
RELIABILITY + CONFIDENCE = ART. THAT’S PRETTY COOL.

#PLAYWITHMAJIREL
CREATIVE HEAD ADVERTORIAL

NEW PACK DESIGN
NEW COOL INFORCED SHADES
SAME ICONIC FORMULA
YOU DON’T MESS with an icon… and there’s a reason why after 40 years Majirel is still one of the top
choices for leading colourists around the globe and their loyal colour clients. Packed with Ionène G, a
highly concentrated care ingredient developed by L’Oréal Research, Majirel works to protect the hair’s
shaft all the way through while smoothing and softening the surface, leaving hair more conditioned* and
looking its glossiest best with a colour that lasts. So, while the outside has changed, it’s what’s inside that
counts: a creamy non-drip texture and a formula that delivers something fantastic, every time.
#PLAYWITHMAJIREL
*Instrumental test
WANT TO PRESS PLAY ON NEW MAJIREL FROM L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL AT YOUR COLOUR BAR?
CALL 0800 030 4034 (UK) 1 604 5913 (IRE) OR VISIT LOREALPROFESSIONNEL.CO.UK

CREATIVEHEADMAG.COM
MAGAZINE EDUCATION EVENTS INSPIRATION CREATIVE HEAD STORE COMPETITIONS
EXCLUSIVE
Refined romance for the modern woman – Christos Michailidis
plays with tiered texture in his latest collection, Fairytale
Shot in Snowdonia National Park,
Richard Phillipart blurs the lines
between hair and fashion photography
in ‘Nomadic Winter’. Watch the film now
The Coterie returns on 27 January
with beauty director Lisa Oxenham,
journalist and podcaster Madeleine
Spencer, Zoë Irwin, and more!
Salon Smart London 2020 is all about
PROGRESS – ready to build for the
future? Tickets are available now, at
creativeheadmag.com/salonsmart
creativeheadmag.com
creativeheadmagofficial
@creativeheadmag

Introducing the new Semi

di Lino Volumizing range
ALFAPARFMILANO.COM

Editor’s letter
40
14
32
FIRST THINGS FIRST – a very happy New Year and
welcome to 2020! We’ve arrived in a new decade that’s
brimming with excitement and possibility. If you’re looking
for ways to up your game in the new roaring ’20s, then how about
giving your salon a makeover? On page 14, we hunted down the latest
furniture trends and talked to the salons that have invested in their
interiors – because there’s no time better than now to go for a brand new
look. If you’re really in the mood for change, then our report on chair
rental in Ireland is a must-read. It’s a controversial subject many salon
owners have passionate views on, so catch up on the conversation on
page 26. And for those all-important new-season trends, turn to page
40, where you can find two beautiful collections full of inspiring
images that will get your creativity going. Take 2020 in your stride
and use it as an opportunity to grow and learn – you’ve got this!
Anna Samson,
Editor
JOIN US!
What do you want to achieve in
2020? If Progress is top of the
agenda, then make sure you
join us in London on 29 and
30 March, when our business
networking event Salon Smart
returns to London. Expect a
programme of presentations,
practical workshops and topical
debates all focused on helping
salon owners and managers
prepare and build for the future,
from page 34. If your sights are
set on a Most Wanted or The It
List trophy, you don’t have long
to wait. 2020’s competitions
launch on 1 March, turn to
page 32 – it’s going to be one
incredible year… See more at
creativeheadmag.com/events
anna@alfol.co.uk
creativeheadmag.com
creativeheadmagofficial
@creativeheadmag

FrontCover.indd All Pages 11/12/2019 11:20
January
WHAT’S INSIDE
In print•online•everywhere!
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
CREATIVEHEADMAG.COM
€7.50 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020
READY
TO
PLAY?
FASHION
Free spirited style and a sprinkle of spring
melt into Wildfl ower’s latest collection
44
ON
THE COVER
Majirel from
L’Oréal Professionnel
10
RISING STAR
The sky is the limit for Chloe Nolan
from Vanilla Hair Design
48
SCENE
The Peter Mark
Colour Trophy wows
its Dublin audience
EDITOR
ANNA SAMSON
CONTRIBUTOR
DEBORAH MURTHA
COMMERCIAL EDITOR
EVE WAGSTAFF
ART DIRECTOR
NICK JABBAL
CHIEF SUB EDITOR
ADAM WOOD
DIGITAL DESIGNER
EVA VESTMANN
ONLINE AND
DIGITAL ASSISTANT
KELSEY DRING
ONLINE AND
DIGITAL EDITOR
ALISON ROWLEY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
AMANDA NOTTAGE
CLASSIFIED EXECUTIVE
DAVID HAMMOND
SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER
JENNY BROOKS
SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR
JOANNA ANDERSEN
PUBLISHER
CATHERINE HANDCOCK
Creative HEAD is printed on
paper certifi ed as being from
sustainable sources using only
vegetable-based inks. Printed
by Buxton Press, Environmental
Printer of the Year and Printing
Company of the Year.
WRITE TO US AT:
Creative HEAD Ireland
21 The Timberyard,
Drysdale Street,
London, N1 6ND
+44 20 7324 7540
anna@alfol.co.uk
Creative HEAD Ireland is published
6 times a year by Alfol Ltd.
Creative HEAD is a registered
trademark. No part of this magazine
may be reproduced without prior
permission of the publisher. All
information correct at time of going
to press. Printing by Buxton Press.
creativeheadmag.com
creativeheadmagofficial
@creativeheadmag

The edit
THE NEWS AND KNOW-HOW FROM YOUR INDUSTRY
NATIONAL
HAIRDRESSING
APPRENTICESHIP
LAUNCHES
THE NATIONAL HAIRDRESSING
APPRENTICESHIP has been formally
validated by Quality Qualifications Ireland
(QQI) and the first apprentices have signed
up to begin their training. The nationally
recognised apprenticeship offers the
opportunity to work towards a QQI Level 6
qualification.
The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship
Consortium Steering Group (CSG) worked with
industry experts to develop the apprenticeship,
the programme includes college and insalon
education, and supports employers in
developing their apprentices.
Bridget Haren, owner of Bridget Haren Hair
& Beauty, registered the very first apprentices
on the new scheme.
She said: “I’ve been waiting for a national
apprenticeship scheme for a long time
and I was delighted to work as part of the
Hairdressing Council and CSG to develop it.
We worked closely with the Limerick and Clare
Education and Training Board too, which will
be the first education centre to roll this out.”
Salons across Ireland can find out more at
hairdressingapprenticesip.ie
#
# IS BACK THIS MARCH!
# 20
IS BACK THIS MARCH!
This year’s theme is
20
PROGRESS
to find out how to book your
spot, turn to page 34 now
Luis O’Connor
House of Colour
celebrates future talent
HOUSE OF COLOUR has hosted its 19th Trendsetter Awards to give rising
stars a chance to show off their skills. This year’s competition took place at
the Wella Academy in Dublin, with 30 assistants battling it out in front of
more than 100 audience members. Competitors were given a fashion brief
and completed a cut and colour with the help of a hairdressing mentor. The
judges were: House of Colour art director Olive Tucker Lee, Wella Trend Vision
Ireland silver medal winner Zara Mcintyre and House of Colour Charleston
style director Dominique Harris. The winner of the Induction category and
overall winner was Lauren Kavanagh of House of Colour Abbey Street, while
Luis O’Connor of the same salon won the Excellence/Graduate category. The
winners will now have the opportunity to assist the art team on its S/S20 shoot.
IHF ICON AWARDS HONOUR
INCREDIBLE HAIRDRESSERS
THE IRISH HAIRDRESSERS
Federation hosted the IHF Icon
Awards and IHF Star Team Finals at
the Gibson Hotel in Dublin. Three
hairdressers were honoured for their
outstanding contributions to the
industry – Irene Devereux of Ziggy’s
Hair and Beauty Salon, Katrina Kelly
of Cut Social and Valerie Finnegan
Cahill of Ikon Hair Design. As for
future icons, the new Star Team
winners were revealed as Jade
McDermott of Frame Creative, Orla
Sadler of House Of Colour, Roisin
Loonam of Studio One Hair Salon and
Sorcha Codd of Kreation Hairdressing.
Irene Devereux and IHF
vice-president Danielle Kennedy
Lauren Kavanagh
08
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

AMERICAN CREW
ALL-STAR UPDATE
IT’S ALL CHANGE for the American Crew’s All-
Star Challenge, with fi ve winners now scooping
the top honour. They’ll receive a number of prizes,
including $5,000 (€4,500) in cash and an allexpenses
paid trip to Los Angeles to take part in
an editorial photoshoot alongside American Crew
founder and photographer, David Raccuglia.
The competition opens 1 January and closes
1 March, it will see individual in-country judging
panels select a national winner, who then move
forward to compete in the global competition of
more than 40 countries. An assembled Global
Committee will then name its top fi ve competitors
as the All-Star Challenge 2020 winners.
David said: “Every year I am honoured to be a
part of the All-Star Challenge and be able to give
talented stylists around the world the opportunity
to present their skills on a global platform.”
Creative HEAD hosts
‘Something Sub-standard’
ON A CHILLY NIGHT in East London, Creative HEAD welcomed
guests to an event like no other. ‘Something Sub-standard’ was a
brilliantly quirky, tongue-in-cheek event designed with hairdresser
Ky Wilson to highlight the not-so-pretty aspects of the hairdressing
industry. Visitors to the purpose-built salon were given zero star
treatment – staff were inattentive, colour work was shoddy and egos
were infl ated – quite literally. The purpose of this nightmarish experience
was to highlight the shortcomings of salons and industry practices and
hopefully inspire real change. Of course, it wasn’t all bad – guests were
treated to a gourmet burger and a goody bag from BaByliss PRO.
Nearly half of
salon owners
consider closing
ALMOST HALF OF salon owners have
seriously considered shutting up shop,
according to a recent survey by Phorest
Salon Software. It surveyed 1,000 hair and
beauty salon owners around the world,
discovering that many who had considered
closing had already been established for
more than three years.
The key contributing factors cited included
the challenges of hiring and managing staff
(32 per cent), external factors including rent,
tax and recession (22 per cent) and a waning
passion for hair and beauty that had made
work a chore (19 per cent).
The Oil Ultime
Mediterranean
Finishing Oil
from Schwarzkopf
Professional has us
dreaming of summer
with refreshing citrus
notes of orange and lime
and protection from sun
damage factors.
schwarzkopfpro.com/
oilultime
MOVERS AND
SHAKERS
Bruno Marc, creative
director of Marc Antoni and
JOICO ambassador, is the
new president of the World
Hairdressing Congress.
Former It List It Guy
Chris Appleton scooped
Hair Influencer of the
Year at the American
Infl uencer Awards.
Tom Connell, formerly of
Trevor Sorbie Salons, is the
new hair art director
at Davines.
#CHedit
MY months
AHEAD
What January
and February
have in store...
DENISE PHILLIPS
PELO HAIRDRESSING
We are so excited for
2020, we are working with
ALFAPARF MIlano as brand
ambassadors to launch its
new colour wear range and
relaunch its volume range.
We spend a lot of time on
competitions, and last year
we won four
prizes at the
Fantastic
Hairdresser
Awards, so
prep for 2020
awards is on!
AIDAN DARCY
BROWN SUGAR
It’s going to be a busy time
for me, a time to focus
and work on my goals and
dreams for that year. I will
be busy looking after all my
clients in salon and I have
some exciting photoshoots
and editorials
planned. I
will also be
heading off to
work at Milan
and Paris
Fashion Weeks.
CLUB
creativeheadmag.com/club
JOIN US! Become a
member of the Creative
HEAD Club and get six
issues of the magazine for
£10, along with the chance
to win opportunities and
exclusive giveaways. Visit
creativeheadmag.com/store
for more details
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
09

#CHedit
WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE A HAIRDRESSER?
My aunt is a hairdresser, so I grew up
watching her and I thought it was
magic. I loved spending days
with her in a tiny salon when
I was a teenager. I then
started my Saturday job
when I was 16 – that
was a three-week
trial and I ended
up being there
for seven years.
Another reason
I wanted to be
a hairdresser is
the relationship
you build with
your clients, you
go through their
highs and lows
with them. Every
day is different.
CHLOE NOLAN
VANILLA HAIR DESIGN
AGE: 25
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHTS
SO FAR?
One was entering my first
competition; the ALFAPARF
Milano Fantastic Hairdresser
Awards in 2013. I also got a
distinction in my ALFAPARF
Milano Colour Master Degree,
which I completed in 2016.
The knowledge I gained from
that course was gold. The next
one might sound silly, but it
was walking over to my very
own first client for a wash, cut
and blow-dry. I still remember
the fear and excitement
all mixed into one.
My biggest
highlight was
winning the
ALFAPARF
Milano
Fantastic
Hairdresser
Long
Hairstylist
Award… and
now it’s this Rising
Star feature!
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10
YEARS’ TIME?
I would love to still be
making my clients smile
and laugh. I would really like
to teach in an academy as well
as work in a salon, maybe even
my own by then. I love colour
as I’m really interested in the
technical side and creating
new things all the time, so I
would like to educate the next
generation of hairdressers to
a high standard of knowledge
and confidence. I would like
to think I’ll still be competing
and loving the diversity of
this industry.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM
HAIRDRESSING GIG?
It’s to be part of an
artistic team for a big hair
show. I’ve seen so many
of the brilliant Paul
Stafford shows, and I’ve
always wanted to be part
of something massive
like that.
10
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

THE BUSINESS EDIT
TAKING COMPLAINTS THE
LIFE
LESSONS
RIGHT WAY
NO MATTER HOW hard you try, occasionally
a client will come along who you just can’t
please. Unfortunately, complaints are just a
fact of salon life – but dealing with them in
the right way can avoid bad publicity and
even strengthen your relationship with the
client in question.
Ger Hennessy, owner of Hennessy Hair
Studio in Kilworth, Co. Cork, believes that
when taking on complaints, openness is the
most important element. “Unfortunately
complaints can happen – I prefer it when a
client tells me they are unhappy rather
than telling everyone else,” she explains.
“I encourage clients to talk – I ask if they’re
happy with the look when I’m finished, is
there anything they would like me to
change? I tell them that if they feel they
are not happy when they get home they can
contact me and I’ll fix it. I always say: ‘it’s
only hair, I can sort this!’”
If a client does decide they aren’t happy
with their hair, Ger welcomes them back
into the salon to make things right. “When
they come in I consult with them to make
sure it’s our fault and not theirs. I make
them feel welcome, give them my apologies
and don’t charge them as we have to keep
them happy.”
Katherine Sweeney, founder and artistic
director of Preen in Dublin, explains her
salon’s approach. “If we feel or sense that a
client is unhappy we will always address it
with them first rather than waiting to see if
they will complain. You can generally tell if a
client is not happy so I feel it’s far better
to be proactive and ask the client about
it,” she says. “This means any issue can
be resolved while the client is still in the
salon. It’s also important to understand that
unhappy clients may not complain, but they
won’t be back!”
Katherine continues: “In cases where there
has been a complaint and, depending on its
nature, I will generally thank the client for
bringing the issue to my attention. Things
can go wrong from time to time and a client
complaining might prove an opportunity for
you to highlight any areas for improvement
in your team.”
And when your clients know that they can
go to you with any issues, you can strengthen
the bond you have with them, explains
Bridget Haren, owner of Bridget Haren Hair
and Beauty in Ennis, Co. Clare. “We really
appreciate feedback as it gives us a chance to
rectify any problems and further build loyalty
with our clients,” she explains. “We rarely
get bad reviews online. Our clients normally
address their concerns in person or over the
phone as we have built a good relationship
with them. Also, clients are invited to review
the stylists through our salon software after
their visit. This is a great tool to catch and
address any negative feedback.”
When dealing with complaints, you need
to remain calm and be wary of overreacting.
Katherine explains: “The worst way to deal
with a client who is complaining is to become
defensive and argue. You may win the
argument but you will lose the client.
“Nine times out of 10 a client just wants to
be listened to and understood. So as long as
they feel you are taking them seriously they
will respond to you in a positive way and you
will regain their trust and goodwill.”
Having a kind and compassionate
approach is so important – but it’s equally
important to be wary of those rogue clients
who might ask a little too much of you.
“There are always one or two people who
complain at every visit as it’s just in their
nature,” says Bridget. “I find if you offer a
listening ear, they leave the salon happy,
regardless of the complaints they’ve made.
Salons need to be really careful about what
they give away to clients. If there was a
genuine issue, it is best to be honest and
come to an agreement with the client without
diminishing your product.”
LEANDRO SANTOS
SANTANA
DECODE HAIR
BY LEANDRO
You have to do it yourself. You
cannot depend on others (staff
or business partners) to grow
your business. You need to
put in the hard work and long
hours. Remember Rome wasn’t
built in a day.
Be creative in adversity. Even
with the best plans in place,
things can go wrong. When it
does, it’s time to get creative.
Managing people is not easy.
You need to get to know your
staff. We are all different and
we show and hide our emotions
in different ways. You need to
be able to see the little signs.
Always expect the
unexpected. Be ready for
things to go wrong and have
a plan on how to navigate
through it. Most times the
unexpected is out of your
control but you need to be able
to get it under control.
Always have a positive
attitude. Positivity rubs off all
around you. If you are positive
it will show through your staff
and your salon and clients will
pick up on this.
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
11

Half the size of the originals, new
Mini Tapes and Mini Strands from
Great Lengths are perfect to use
on clients with thin hair wanting to
discreetly enhance their look.
IN-SALON SERVICE
01 513 4153
greatlengthshair.co.uk
Transform dry, styled and
processed hair into cameraworthy
perfection with R+Co’s
Television shampoo and
conditioner.
RRP €32.50 EACH
045 856 490
xpertpro.ie
New from RICA, Colorica Chromoplus has a colour palette
of 106 shades, so vegan clients can update their look for
the New Year with confidence.
IN-SALON SERVICE
021 434 3436
hennessyhb.ie
Since 1997, Alterna Haircare
has led the way in luxury
products, and now these
innovative formulas are
launching in Ireland. Inspired
by skincare, the premium
brand combines cutting-edge technology with
decadent ingredients including caviar extract
and seasilk. The age control complex provides
antioxidants that help undo wear and tear,
while a selection of enzymes and minerals
support keratin production for stronger,
healthier hair. There are several product
ranges to
choose from –
we love
the Caviar
Anti-Aging
Anti-Frizz
range.
RRP FROM €25
045 856 490
xpertpro.ie
TRUE
LUXURY
For fine, thin hair the JOICO
JoiFull collection of Volumizing
Shampoo, Conditioner and Styler
is a dream, leaving it brimming
with body and touchably soft.
RRP FROM €16.95
045 856 490
xpertpro.ie
The Tahe Organic
Care Neutralising
Shampoo is a
gentle cleanser
which deletes
unwanted yellow
tones, for a
shimmering, icy
blonde.
RRP €12.95
021 434 3436
hennessyhb.ie
Multi Defence
Moisturising Lotion
SPF 35 is the latest
addition to the
American Crew
Acumen range, and
helps defend the
skin from pollution
and sun damage all
year round.
RRP €40
01 886 9300
americancrew.com
The new Volume range from Semi Di Lino by ALFAPARF
Milano includes a shampoo, conditioner and spray to help
to swell the hair while maintaining lightness and shine.
RRP FROM €14.24
045 856 490
xpertpro.ie
An improved formula means
milk_shake’s Curl Passion
nourishes with precious Amazon
rainforest oils to give curls softness
and bouncy elasticity.
RRP FROM €13.33
+44 1392 365 177
milkshakehaircare.co.uk
12
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

#CHedit
STOCK
OPTIONS
OUR PICK OF THE LAUNCHES TO
STACK ON SHELVES, ADD TO MENUS
AND SHARE WITH YOUR STYLISTS
Love to play with Majirel from L’Oréal
Professionnel? Then get excited,
because the iconic hair colour has
enjoyed something of a makeover. Need
to grab the colour you want in a hurry?
The new minimalist packaging is clean
and fresh, with one pack per colour
family and the shade number clearly
marked to face you as you look for your
desired hue. From ash to warm browns,
each pack includes between five and
25 shades corresponding to their colour
family. Oh, and its new plastic cap is 100
per cent recycled. You can play with 194
hues, including eight new Cool Inforced
shades from February. There are new
beige and ash shades boosted in cool
reflects, perfect for the current cooler
trend and that fight brassiness for up to
21 shampoos and keep the tone neutral
for up to six weeks. So new pack design,
new Cool Inforced shades, new cap…
same iconic formula. Get playful!
IN-SALON SERVICE
1 800 535 616
lorealprofessionnel.co.uk
IT’S ALL ABOUT... LIGHT
New shades from Revlon Professional
Revlonissimo deliver maximum
neutralisation and optimum lifting power
on very dark shades in just one step,
and with absolutely no
warm undertone.
IN-SALON SERVICE
01 886 9300
revlonprofessional.co.uk
System Blonde Anti-Yellow
Lightening Additive from ASP
Affinage Salon Professional lifts
and tones on all dark blondes to
lighter bases, leaving a white
blonde finish with no need to tone.
IN-SALON SERVICE
+44 1794 527111
asphair.com
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
13

Inside
STORY
GET CLUED UP ON THE TRENDS THAT MATTER AND MEET
THE SALONS MAKING THE MOST OF THEIR SPACE WITH
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND’S 2020 INTERIORS SPECIAL
IN A WORLD where clients are looking for more from their
salon experience, the space your services take place in is more
important than ever. And now that we’re entering a new decade,
maybe it’s time to try a new look?
“A beautiful interior creates a long-lasting fi rst impression,”
says David Donnellan, managing director of Xpert Professional.
“If a potential client is unaware of the skills of the salon, it’s
unlikely they’ll enter a place that looks rundown, no matter how
good they are at their craft. A beautiful interior doesn’t need to
cost the earth and it is a must for a successful business.”
Susan McCarthy, managing director at Hennessy Hair &
Beauty, suggests thinking about each section of your salon in
turn and then trying to see it from your guest’s perspective.
“The second a client walks through your door you need to
make a good impression,” she says. “Every single moment
of the salon journey is important, and your interiors can help
cement a positive experience. Consider your reception area – is
it welcoming and warm? Is the desk approachable, modern and
tidy? Next, when you take them to the backwash, think about
how to make it a relaxing space. Maybe it’s time for an upgrade if
it’s not comfortable and stylish.
“The same goes for your styling stations,” Susan continues.
“Combine functionality with an on-trend look and your clients will
be happy to while away the hours during their services.”
Giving your salon an overhaul may seem pricey, but think of
it as an investment. “Decor needs to be done with longevity in
mind, as it can be expensive to revamp every three to fi ve years,”
says David. “It’s important to plan a design that can last, so
think ‘timeless’ when it comes to the design. Also, invest a good
amount of your budget in the wash unit as it has a lot of moving
parts and running water and this can all cause you grief in time if
you don’t pay for quality.”
14

Top
TRENDS
MODERN MINIMALISM
Sometimes less is more, and a
stripped back aesthetic can bring
your salon up-to-date with minimal
fuss. “Black is always in fashion
but keep it simple with a limited
colour palette – and remember
it will always go best with white!”
says David. Clean lines, a clutter-free
environment and an emphasis on functionality make a
minimalist salon a peaceful place for clients and
staff alike. Get the look with the Comfort 2
Chair from Welonda, welonda.com
ABSTRACT ENERGY
Taking inspiration from cubism, the
trend for blocky shapes and loud
colours are an easy way to brighten
up your salon. “This trend is a
stylish update that’s both playful
and sophisticated,” explains Susan
from Hennessy. Dip your toe in with
some unique accessories or go
all out with geometric shapes and
bold shades. Get the look with
the Straight Frontside Chair from
Welonda, welonda.com
NATURAL LIFE
A scroll through Instagram will
show you how popular it is to go
green, and interiors are following
suit. “We have seen a large move
towards eco environments, with a
‘less is more’ principle,” says David
from Xpert Professional. “Open plan
designs, with exposed ceilings and
painted walls reduce costs and can
offer a lovely rustic feel.” Get the
look with the Lunar Island
Unit from REM,
hennessyhb.ie
15

Rooms
WITH A VIEW
MODERN, SLEEK AND ON TREND –
STEP INSIDE TWO IRISH SALONS
WITH EYE-CATCHING INTERIORS
MODERN CLASSIC
OCCASIONS, MAYNOOTH
A lot of owners would feel intimidated by going from a salon space of 689 square
feet to one that’s 5,560 square feet – but not Duncan Kenna. “It’s brand new
for us but the town is growing rapidly and so is our business – we couldn’t stay
where we were,” he explains. When fi tting out the salon Duncan chose an almost
monochrome theme with dark chairs and drawers, grey fl ooring and white walls.
To add variation he selected a mixture of materials such as quartz, wood and
steel. “We wanted a well-lit salon,” Duncan says, “so there are lamps at each of
the units”. And what better way to decorate than with examples of the incredible
work created by the Occasions team? “The posters are always our own work –
and all award-winning images,” says Duncan. “They are all double-sided so we
can change them around every three months.” The classic design has been a
roaring success, something which Duncan is incredibly proud of: “I don’t usually
get emotional, but when I was leaving the salon on the fi rst day, I looked back
and thought ‘this is really something!’”
Top 12 colours for S/S20
Colour expert Pantone scoured the catwalks to present a palette of the chicest tones. From fl uid, natural
greens and blues right through to warmer spicy shades, fi nd your colour and make a statement
16
PANTONE 18-1662
Flame Scarlet
PANTONE 14-1064
Saff ron
PANTONE 19-4052
Classic Blue
PANTONE 15-5718
Biscay Green
PANTONE 19-0323
Chive
PANTONE 17-4021
Faded Denim

GET GREEN
HENSHÍN, CASTLETROY
INTEREST IN ALL THINGS green has never been stronger, so it’s only natural that interiors
are following suit. Irish session stylist and evo global brand ambassador Gareth Bromell –
who spent the past nine years in Los Angeles tending to the heads of stars such as Taylor
Swift, Michelle Williams and Dakota Johnson – decided after a stint renting a chair in Tracey
Cunningham’s California salon to return to his roots and open Henshín in Castletroy, County
Limerick. “Henshín means ‘to transform’ in Japanese,” Gareth explains. “I was inspired by
Kengo Kuma, who designed the New National Stadium in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympics with
a focus on sustainability.” Being eco-friendly is at the heart of this forward-thinking salon,
which uses up-cycled materials to create unique salon interiors. “We used local materials
from scrapyards in the city,” says Gareth. “Everything is in one room with the bar running right
down the middle – there is an easiness for the clients. It’s all sustainable – the interiors, the
water used, products and even the time we take. There is so much waste in the world, but
we don’t have to waste any more. Everything can be recycled and made beautiful.”
PANTONE 16-1359
Orange Peel
PANTONE 18-4528
Mosaic Blue
PANTONE 13-0822
Sunlight
PANTONE 14-1318
Coral Pink
PANTONE 18-1345
Cinnamon Stick
PANTONE 18-3513
Grape Compote
17

New decade,
new salon
Give your business a fresh look for 2020 with salon furniture and
design services from Hennessy Hair & Beauty
THE NEW YEAR is the perfect time to start afresh – and what
better way to do that than by giving your salon a makeover?
Hennessy Hair & Beauty has been supplying the hair and
beauty industry for more than 35 years, so it knows a thing
or two about great products. With stores in Doughcloyne and
Cork city centre, a dedicated team of reps and competitive
prices, Hennessy Hair & Beauty advises on and provides
salon equipment and furniture with true expertise – so you
can be confident you’re making a great investment.
Whether you want to pick up a new piece of furniture or kitout
your entire salon, Hennessy Hair & Beauty has a range of
high-quality options. REM products are hand-crafted, modern
and come with a three-year guarantee. Each stylish piece is
customisable in a range of different laminates and fabrics,
and can be embroidered with your own salon logo, for the
personal touch.
At Hennessy, a bespoke design service available for your
salon, to help you create an environment that is on trend,
combining beauty with functionality. The team will work
with your salon’s dimensions and unique style, to create a 3D
image showing you exactly how the finished room will look.
And there’s never been a better time to make the change –
all furniture ordered from Hennessy Hair & Beauty this
January and February is VAT-free!
18
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

CREATIVE HEAD ADVERTORIAL
Our picks
REM Solar Styling unit
Create a sanctuary of calm in
your salon with the REM Solar
Styling unit. With a round
mirror and rustic oak detail,
it’s easy to install on the wall
and has a chrome dryer holster.
REM Lunar Island Unit
Organic shapes are a big interior trend, and the REM
Lunar Island Unit is a smooth operator with curved
lines and smart chrome trim. It’s available in a variety
of colours to match any salon colour scheme.
REM Oasis Modular
Island Unit
For a modern look that will
breathe life into a salon, opt for
the REM Oasis
Modular Island
Unit. Choose
from a variety of
configurations,
depending
on available
space, and
add footrests,
storage, mirrors
and holsters, too.
For more information and pricing, visit hennessyhb.ie or call Susan McCarthy on 021 434 3436
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
19

COLOUR VISION
COLOUR DOESN’T NEED TO TAKE A BACKSEAT JUST BECAUSE IT’S QUIET IN JANUARY –
WELLA PROFESSIONALS SHOWS YOU HOW
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
PURSE-FRIENDLY
PICK-ME-UP
Recruit loyal colour clients at this difficult time of
the year with affordable colour services from Wella
Professionals. No Strings Attached Colour, Wella
Professionals’ glossing service, allows you to
transform your client’s look in just 10 minutes – great
for those who want low-commitment colour and
it frees up time for you as well, using your current
permanent colour assortment. By infusing hair with
one of the many Koleston Perfect ME+ shades and
deeply conditioning for a beautiful finish, clients feel
like they’re having a much more extensive service for
a fraction of the time and price. Also it’s a great way
to have your newer recruits practising their colour
skills. It’s the ideal solution to the January blues.
No Strings Attached Colour is a genius service,
just what we’ve been waiting for. It’s the ideal
introductory service for clients who are shy of
colour commitment or in conventional jobs, but keen
to jazz up their look for a night or weekend. It’s
super-quick to deliver and affordable, while giving
fabulous shine and exciting colour that washes
out with ease. If a client has been patch-tested
it’s a great add-on service, easily delivered by an
assistant. We saw an immediate uplift on colour as
soon as we introduced it.”
COLIN MCANDREW,
MEDUSA GROUP
I love anything new for my business – No Strings
Attached Colour embraces new clients and clients
who have never coloured their hair before. They
are blown away by the shine! We are making our
applications exciting by creating quick and easy
sectioning patterns that show soft multi-tonal
accents in the finished result. My team loves getting
involved – we work closely together to get the best
out of each other and to promote the best for our
client base. I’m definitely quite the #colourflirt
when it comes to fun mixtures!”
SARAH MASON,
SARAH MASON PROFESSIONAL
20 CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

LEVEL UP
TO MASTER
COLOUR EXPERT
Master Colour Expert is the programme to invest in
if you’re looking to genuinely transform your colour
career. Thousands of colourists across the world
have undertaken this course to grow their technical
skills and business know-how.
It’s akin to university, with complete immersion
and training in every aspect of colour, and the
resulting certifi cate will pay dividends. Over six to
nine months you attend a course of face-to-face
sessions with top educators, supported by the
innovative eEducation online platform.
You need a minimum of fi ve years of colour
experience and to have completed the Colour Craft
Essential, Colour Craft Corrective and Creative &
Freehand Colouring courses. Are you ready to level
up your colour career? Call the Dublin Studio
(01 416 0900) to fi nd out more.
CREATIVE HEAD ADVERTORIAL
“Master Colour Expert highlighted to me the missing piece of the jigsaw to back up the title of a
professional hairdresser. The importance of the programme in a hairdressing career cannot be underestimated,
your hairdressing journey is simply not complete without this qualification. For this reason we redesigned
our whole in-house education colour training structure for our apprentices, who are trained to a very high
standard in our salon academy”
PATRICK GILDEA, PATRICK GILDEA HAIRDRESSING
70+
The
guest artists to
be inspired by,
educating in courses
to suit all your
education and
inspirational
needs
Wella
Professionals
Education Book
2020 is out now!
Get your copy to
check out all of the
new courses and
updated education
opportunities. Go to
education.wella.com
to download your
digital copy
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
21

THE COLOUR
CLINIC IS OPEN…
EVERY ISSUE WE TACKLE A UNIQUE COLOUR CONUNDRUM
WITH THE HELP OF WELLA’S COLOUR CREATIVE GUEST
ARTISTS. THIS ISSUE WE’RE HANDING IT OVER TO CLAYDE
BAUMANN, GLOBAL COLOUR DIRECTOR AT D&J AMBROSE
AND WELLA PROFESSIONALS PASSIONISTA
Everyone seems to be going around balayage-ing
everything that moves at the moment. We are getting
clients coming in for colour corrections with large,
chunky sections from a colourist who hasn’t been
educated properly. Perhaps the communication
with the client hadn’t been established as to which
technique to use – the other complaint that we see is
that the colour looks more like a dip-dye, and less of
a blended transition. This is quite a tough one to fix
because you have to start doing naturalising, you have
to colour-match the client’s natural colour and take
that colour through, but also use a lightener to softly
refine any areas that are too thick or too chunky. It’s
a great opportunity to score yourself a new client and
to make some good money. By attending the Wella
Professionals Colour Clinic, you’d be able to learn all
of these tools.”
CLAYDE BAUMANN, COLOUR DIRECTOR,
D&J AMBROSE
Do you have a
colour challenge that
you simply can’t crack? The
new Colour Clinic from Wella
Professionals allows you to
book in an appointment with one
of Wella’s technical educators
to diagnose and solve your
colour problem. You can
even bring your
client!
22 CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

#ColourVision
SHELFIE TIME
CREATIVE HEAD ADVERTORIAL
I absolutely LOVE the Color Motion+
range from Wella Professionals, the
longevity you get from your colour is
insane. The infusion of WellaPlex in
the treatment gives you that added
kick of structural repair, and the
client aftercare process is super-easy
to follow with amazing results! The
Pre-Color Treatment porosity spray
is to die for! It creates a much better
canvas for painting my creations”
THOMAS FREAR,
THOMAS FREAR HAIR DESIGN
AND WELLA PASSIONISTA
PROVE YOUR
PASSION
If you’re digitally savvy and a lover of all things Wella
Professionals, then you might have the golden ticket to the
exclusive club of the Passionistas. This network includes more
than 300 creative hair geniuses across more than 40 countries,
with the UK currently leading the charge with 61 members.
The scheme has some seriously sweet perks as well – they get to
preview upcoming launches and test them out ahead of everyone
else, as well as being the fi rst to hear about news and events.
There’s also the opportunity to join exciting projects led by aweinspiring
artists such as Zoë Irwin. If you think you have the digital
skills and Wella passion to make it through, you can fi nd more
information at wella.com/professional.
COLOUR CONFIDENTLY WITH WELLA PROFESSIONALS. CONTACT YOUR WELLA PROFESSIONALS SALES REP
OR CALL YOUR LOCAL WELLA STUDIO: DUBLIN – 01 416 0900
DISCOVER THE PRODUCTS AT UK.WELLASTORE.COM. BOOK YOUR FACE-TO-FACE STUDIO AND ONLINE EDUCATION AT EDUCATION.WELLA.COM
@wellahairuk #WellaColour #ColourFlirt Wella Professionals @WellaUK
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
23

WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED GLOSSING SERVICE
FROM WELLA PROFESSIONALS.
Maximise recruitment of new colour clients. For first timers or experimenters,
transform your clients’ hair in 10 minutes whilst conditioning it.
I love the speed and simplicity
of No Strings Attached colour.
It can fit into anyone’s column and
complements the existing
salon services easily, adding
great value in terms of revenue
and meeting clients’ needs.
ROBERT EATON
Wella Professionals Technical
Director, UK & Ireland
2019 British Hairdresser of the Year
FORMULA
1 part Koleston
Perfect Me+
1 part Welloxon
Perfect 1.9%
Pastel Developer
1 part INVIGO Post
Color Treatment
BOOK A COURSE NOW IN ONE OF OUR STUDIOS
London: +4480 3650 4700, Manchester: +44161 8342645, Dublin:+35 314 160 900
uk.wellastore.com @wellahairuk #WellaColour #ColourFlirt

THE
GREAT
CHAIR
RENTAL
DEBATE
IT’S A TOPIC THAT POLARISES SALON
OWNERS – BUT CAN THE REWARDS
OF RENTING OUT CHAIRS OUTWEIGH
THE RISKS?
AT SALON SMART DUBLIN in November, hairdressers and
business owners came together and talked shop. Countless
topics were discussed, but perhaps none more controversial
and vocally debated than the issue of chair rental.
From those who are dedicated to the freelance life to
those who are adamant they would never consider it, this
conversation is important to hairdressers all over Ireland.
David Donnellan, managing director of Xpert Professional,
works with a range of salons across the country, and has
observed that chair rental doesn’t have a particularly good
reputation, as bosses sometimes see it as relinquishing control
of their salon. “The branding of salons can disintegrate, and then
they’re left with less customers but big rents to pay,” David says.
“There can also be issues surrounding insurance too, as if there’s
an accident then salon owners are to a degree responsible,
despite them just renting out a chair. However, I have seen a
small number of chair rental businesses open up successfully,
because they are a flexible option for session stylists.”
For Mark McCauley, who founded Kazumi salons and
employs those who work in them, the risks of chair renting
are obvious. “It is almost impossible to maintain standards
to a very high level. Also, not everyone wants to have the
26 CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

responsibility to keep their taxes up-to-date – this is an
oversight by most people who rent chairs. In my experience,
human nature being what it is can also lead to a level of
disengagement with the need to constantly upskill. You need
to be a highly-motivated individual to make a success out of
renting a chair. We have a number of staff who have worked
this way in the past and they all say they felt unsupported and
more pressure to maintain a consistent income and standard.”
However, Mark says he is always open to change and can
see an upside where renting out chairs could work. “If I were
to do it, it would be a quicker, more casual service-based
model where the service price is at the lower end, but you
would be generating greater client numbers. What the client
may lose in standard of work would be balanced with a lower
cost point.”
But times are changing, and for those willing to break
the mould there is great success to be found in the chair
rental model. Michelle Grimes launched Maven, a Dublin
salon where every member is a freelancer, looks after their
own appointments, schedules and finances. “I had seen so
many amazing female stylists struggling with salon life after
starting a family – it seemed that they were at the peak of
their careers but gave up their jobs because of the lack of
flexibility,” Michelle explains. “I wanted to create a space
where freelancers felt safe, had a base but also had flexibility
and freedom to schedule their clients around other interests.”
The advantages, Michelle has found, are numerous. “I don’t
have huge staff numbers that I have to pay tax for, holiday
pay and so on. I don’t have to take bookings for them, I don’t
worry about them calling in sick and not turning up for work.
I get to see individuals flourish and grow, watch them find
strengths that didn’t know they had and I get to contribute in
a new exciting way to our industry.”
The hardest part, Michelle has found, has been helping
new freelancers to adapt to a new way of working. “It can be
hard transitioning from the traditional model to the freelance
model for some,” she explains. “It’s a huge learning curve to
take your own appointments and look after your own finances.
It can be challenging at the start, but it’s all worth it.”
She acknowledges that this model wouldn’t work for
those who want to build a certain look for their salon as,
Michelle says: “You have to be willing to let all styles and
personalities shine.”
Ultimately she believes that there is room for both types
of salon, remaining optimistic that different kinds of
hairdressers will be attracted to each. “I believe there is a
future for this type of model in Ireland, but to complement
rather than threaten the traditional model. Being a freelancer
is not for everyone. There will always be stylists who like
going into work to a full column that has been booked for
them and walk away with a pay cheque every month without
having to worry about taxes and other matters – but there is
also another breed of hairdressers that have been waiting for
the other option for a long time.”
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
27

#LCT20
YOUR LIFE
IN COLOUR
L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY OPENS THIS MONTH – CAN YOU COLOUR YOUR WAY TO VICTORY?
L’Oréal Colour Trophy is back, continuing its prestigious tradition as the longestrunning
live hair competition in the world! It provides the opportunity of a lifetime for
its talented winners – only the very best can add their names to the L’Oréal Colour
Trophy history books. To make it to the top you’ll need impeccable attention to
detail, tonnes of technical skills and the ability to predict the next hot hue. There’s no
room for boring blondes or playing-it-safe shades – the judges are expecting colour
work that will blow them away, both in terms of creativity and technical prowess. The
stakes may be high, but so too are the rewards. From mentoring opportunities for
the STAR category winners to nationwide fame and prestige, a L’Oréal Colour Trophy
win can completely transform your career. Don’t take our word for it…
WINNER OF L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY 2019
THE SPACE HAIR SOUL BEAUTY, DUBLIN
“THE L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY IS THE HIGHEST
ACCOLADE A HAIRDRESSER CAN ACHIEVE
AND WE ARE BOTH HUMBLED AND PROUD”
28 CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

CREATIVE HEAD ADVERTORIAL
OWN THE STAGE
L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY 2020? YOU’VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT!
*Open to ROI residents aged 16+ (and up to age 25 for the STAR award category) entering as part of a salon team (except for the College award category
where entrants must not be working in a salon and can be UK residents). One entry per individual across all categories. One team per salon per category.
Entries must be uploaded to lorealcolourtrophy.ie by 24/02/20. Must use only L’Oréal Professionnel products, entry photos must be in colour. Winning team (or
individual in the case of the College Award category) receives the 2020 Award for the relevant category and the chance to attend other hairdressing events/trips
dependent on category. See lorealcolourtrophy.ie for full details and T&Cs. Promoter: L’Oréal Professionnel, a trading division of L’Oréal (UK) Limited.
FIRST… CHOOSE YOUR CATEGORY
L’ORÉAL COLOUR TROPHY
AWARD
If you’ve got the passion,
vision and technical talent to
create a show-stopping look,
this is for you!
MEN’S IMAGE AWARD
Prove yourself to be
a grooming guru with
exceptional colour skills that
stand out and make your way
to the Grand Final.
THEN CHOOSE YOUR COLOURS
The beauty of L’Oréal Colour Trophy is that you’re not limited
by the salon you’re part of and the colour brand it uses. If you
have the vision and can use L’Oréal Professionnel colour to
translate your ideas onto hair, then the judges want to see it!
Exceptional technical ability, impeccable references and the
will to execute your creative vision are what you need. Your
colour should be a reflection of the modern, trend-forward
client who is unashamedly boundary-breaking.
STAR AWARD
For promising colour prodigies
aged between 16 and 25,
there’s no better way to make
a name for yourself than by
winning this award.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 1 800 535 616 OR VISIT LOREALCOLOURTROPHY.IE
@lorealpro @lorealprouk /lorealprofessionnel.uk #lorealproire #LCT20
NEW
FOR
2020!
COLLEGE CATEGORY
Open to full- or part-time
hairdressing college students
not working in a salon, this is
a photographic competition
and the perfect platform to
kick-start your career.
HOW TO ENTER #LCT20 *
1. Head to lorealcolourtrophy.ie
2. Choose your CATEGORY to enter
3. CONSULT the full L’Oréal Colour
Trophy terms and conditions
4. COMPLETE your entry form
online and upload your
photo (must be no more
than one year old)
5. Submit your application
by 24 February 2020
ENTRIES
OPEN ON
2 JANUARY,
GOOD LUCK!
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
29

The L’Oréal Colour Trophy is the longest running
live hairdressing competition in the world.
Entering its 54th year, we invite you to join us to celebrate all
that is great in our industry, in an exciting new one day format
- the artistry, the mastery and most importantly YOUR talent.
Now 111 years old, L’Oréal Professionnel was founded on
professional hair colour, advancing the boundaries of
breakthrough innovation and pushing the industry forward.
The L’Oréal Colour Trophy invites you to make your mark
in 2020 by entering this historic year of the competition.
This is history in colour.
This is your life in colour.
ENTER NOW ONLINE*
LOREALCOLOURTROPHY.IE
Deadline for entries: 24th February 2020, 5pm
Make sure you consult the rules within the
competition Terms and Conditions!
*Open to ROI residents aged 16+ (and up to aged 25 for the STAR award category) entering as part of a salon team (except for the College
award category where entrants must not be working in a salon and can be UK residents). One entry per individual across all categories. One
team per salon per category. Entries must be uploaded onto www.lorealcolourtrophy.ie by 24/02/20. Must use only L’Oréal Professionnel
products, entry photos must be in colour and no more than one year old. Winning team (or individual in the case of the College Award
category) receives the 2020 Award for the relevant category and the chance to attend other hairdressing events/trips dependent on
category. See www.lorealcolourtrophy.ie for full details and T&Cs. Promoter: L’Oréal Professionnel, a trading division of L’Oréal (UK) Limited.

Image: ROI Grand Final 2019
Hair & Art Direction by: Richard Phillipart The Boutique Atelier
Assisted by: Brown Sugar, Hession Hairdressing & Zeba
@LOREALPRO
#LCT20 #LOREALPROIRE

MW
IT20

event
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THE IT LIST AWARDS ARE COMING. DON’T
MISS A MOMENT – REGISTER FOR UPDATES
AT CREATIVEHEADMAG.COM/EVENTS
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LAUNCH 1 MARCH
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#MWIT20
2020
2020

CREATIVE HEAD’S BUSINESS NETWORKING
EVENT FOR SALON OWNERS AND MANAGERS

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PARK PLAZA LONDON RIVERBANK HOTEL
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CREATIVE HEAD’S BUSINESS NETWORKING
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MODERNISE AND UPGRADE
THINK SUSTAINABILITY
SET NEW GOALS
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PROGRESS
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40
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

MASTER
OF THE ARTS
THE PAINT-SPLATTERED CANVASSES OF JACKSON POLLOCK SERVED AS INSPIRATION
FOR STEPHEN O’DRISCOLL’S LATEST COLLECTION, THE ABSTRACT IMAGINARIUM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEPHEN O’DRISCOLL
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND 41

42
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

ART DIRECTION AND HAIR Stephen O’Driscoll, assisted by Emma Marcey.
MAKE-UP Jennifer O’Donnell and Sumara Cardozza Rezende.
CLOTHING Original Ireland
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND 43

44
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

Dawn chorus
SUBTLE WASHES OF COLOUR MELT INTO FREE-SPIRITED STYLES
SPRINKLED WITH SPRING BLOOMS – WILDFLOWER’S LATEST
COLLECTION CERTAINLY LIVES UP TO THE SALON’S NAME
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FAOLON CASEY
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND 45

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CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND 47
HAIR The Wildflower Team. MAKE-UP Cara Macken. STYLING Martina Garner

Scene
THE HOTTEST EVENTS EVERY MONTH – GET YOURSELF SCENE!
Brendan Courtney
MARK
of quality
THE CLAYTON HOTEL in Dublin played host to the Peter Mark Colour
Trophy, where a massive 206 competitors and 900 guests came together in
celebration of Ireland’s largest hairdressing group. Fashion designer and
presenter Brendan Courtney hosted the evening as stylists and colourists
from Peter Mark and Style Club salons flexed their hairdressing muscles.
An expert judging panel for the awards was composed of head judge Holly
O’Keeffe, senior educator at Peter Mark; Michael Doyle, salon creative
director at Peter Mark; PJ Gibbons, editor of Social & Personal magazine;
Calum Tierney of Terence Paul Group; Ian Brady, salon director at Cats Hair
Salon; legendary hairdresser Keith Harris; and Terence Tierney of Terence
Paul Training. With a rainbow of shades and styles presented on the catwalk,
the night proved that Peter Mark hairdressers don’t just translate the latest
trends – they set them, too.
48
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

Rachel Flanagan and Louise McArdle
And the winners are…
Peter Mark Colour Trophy
Louise McArdle and Rachel Flanagan,
Market Cross, Kilkenny
Peter Mark Young Colourist of the Year
Hayley Byrne, Swords Main Street
Peter Mark Men’s Image Award
Megan McCormack, Athlone
Social & Personal Editorial Photographic Award
Nikolai Krivolutski, Swords Main Street
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND
49

It was lovely to meet
@harriet-stokes – she’s
literally #careergoals!
Creating gorgeous
brunettes is my
favourite work
Meeting @hiltonsophia
in Dublin
Creamy blondes
In the
frame
Victoria Christie, stylist at
Style Club South William Street
(@victoria_christie_), snaps away
Making it into the
Peter Mark Colour
Trophy Finals for 2019!
Oh, I do love a #moodboard
SHOOT AND SEND Want to give us
a snapshot of your world? Tweet
us at @creativeheadmag now!
Travelling to London for
a day with @zoeirwinhair
and @ghdhairpro
Freehand #blonde work
and toning with the new
@lorealpro Majirel GLOW
#TBT to L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2017
When clients give me full
creative control with cutting!
50
CREATIVE HEAD IRELAND

World leading
ethical hair extensions
To enquire about joining the elite and becoming a Great Lengths certified stylist visit
GREATLENGTHSHAIR.CO.UK/BECOME-A-CERTIFIED-STYLIST

*Launching February 2020