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This week we meet Master Colourist, Bernadett.
What hair colour trends are your clients asking for most right now?
The shape of someone’s face will determine part of the colour service. For example, if someone has a very square or heart shaped face, a heavy face framing highlight service might not be the best idea. I believe low maintenance colours will always be a trend, more so these last few years as everyone is becoming very ingredient conscious, and aware of what is used on their hair and skin. For me, personally even low maintenance looks will need a little looking after between appointments. Using the right styling products, such as high-quality shampoo and conditioner, heat protectant. Not forgetting that a UV protectant for our hair is just as important as it is for our skin.
What colour trend do you think will dominate this season?
As there is for every season, I believe there are micro-trends that will pop up for a short time, like Teddy Bronde, Scandi Hairline etc, but ultimately individuality matters most.
Trends matter less, personality makes the rules. At the forefront of this year’s trend is glossy, healthy hair. Strength and shine comes first. There are a few tones though, that never go out of fashion like cool chocolate, old money blonde, or creamy warm tones that resemble summer and sunshine.
Which celebrity hairstyle are you currently loving, and why?
Emilia Clarke seems to be able to pull off most colours that the film production wants her to have. She had worn her hair the ultimate bleached vanilla blonde (not without consequences), sandy blonde, natural looking strawberry blonde, dark all over brunette and many more.In my opinion she suits her current more natural looking light brunette with a few honey toned, sun kissed lighter pieces. It is low maintenance, has that reflective shine and glossiness and it looks healthy.
What’s the biggest shift you’ve noticed in how clients want their hair to look or feel right now?
Longevity plays a large part in what my clients are looking for right now. While in the 80s and 90s women spent long hours in the salon, getting sets, blowdries, perms and colour done, circa 45 years on all of that has shifted towards wanting to spend less time at the salon due to people’s lifestyle speeding up. Natural textures are embraced, natural colour is enhanced and hair health is the priority over fashion colours.
Who or what is inspiring you most right now—celebs, runways, TikTok, clients?
Inspiration can come from unexpected places. I enjoy people watching while being out and about, and often I have done 5-6 colour corrections in my head while sitting on the train, on the way to the salon. Seeing hair colour that needs correction inspires me more than any celebrity’s hair colour. Too often, women wear the wrong hair colour and they are not aware of it, because nobody told them it is not right. I am also inspired by my clients, the women (and men) who sit in my chair and keep me on my toes, assuring that I deliver the perfect colour they expect from me every appointment.
What’s a low-effort trend that still looks high-impact?
Variations of balayage have been around for years now. It all started with hair colour that looked just like you have been away for 2-3 weeks in the sun (sun kissed lights for women, surfer hair for men). While you can achieve very soft and natural looks, a balayage technique can also be used to achieve high impact colour that is bright and hits in places where you need it. Placement of foils, highlight papers, freehand lightening is the secret trick that will give you high-impact and low-effort.
What colour service do you think delivers the most impact with the least maintenance?
I think a highlighting service always delivers the most impact and it can last up to 10-14 weeks. Be that on someone with blonde or brunette hair, or copper for that matter.
What colour trend works best for enhancing natural hair health and shine?
Enhancing the natural colour can make a really big difference by just adding a few foils for lightness or dimension. Using a gloss at the end of a colour service can enhance and seal the hair so it can last longer too. The most important rule for hair health and maintaining your salon colour for longer is looking after your locks at home too. Health of the hair starts in the chair but it continues at home in the shower. What you use to shampoo and condition your hair is really important. How you use those products will make a difference too. For example: shampooing your scalp only and NOT the lengths and ends of the hair, conditioner is meant for the lengths and ends, rather than the scalp. I know it all sounds very basic, but maybe not for everyone.
What advice or tips do you offer to maintain your colour for longer?
Maintain your colour by not using BOILING HOT WATER: Heat in general will make the colour fade quicker. So instead use lukewarm water to shampoo and rinse your hair and use heat styling equipment on a slightly lower heat setting (straighteners/curling thongs).
Why do you think hair health is becoming such a priority for clients right now?
Hair health and good products go hand in hand. As most people are becoming more ingredient conscious, there are now an array of products available that claim they have so called ‘clean formulas’. In my opinion it is super important to get the balance right between ‘clean’ products and ones that still do the job. The priority should be SILICONE FREE, possibly sulphate free where possible.
What’s the most common mistake you see clients making with their hair colour at home?
People don’t realise how much damage they can do to their colour only by using super hot water to wash their hair at home. It’s only going to make the colour fade quicker.
If someone wants better hair colour long-term, what’s the first thing you’d tell them to focus on?
The first thing I would say to people to shampoo their hair properly (double cleanse if the hair hasn’t been washed for more than 2 days, once if shampooing every 1-2 days) and to always use conditioner on mid-lengths and ends as it will seal the hair, and make it less prone to damage.
Which Van Clarke product is your personal must-have, and how do you use it?
My all-time favourite of Michael’s products is the award-winning Eureka Blowdry Balm which I use for multiple reasons. After shampooing and conditioning my hair I use a couple of pumps before I even put a brush through my hair. I might add another pump through the lengths and ends after brushing through. My hair blowdries easier and it is protected from the heat I apply when drying. It also protects my locks against the elements like UV. It has so many great benefits.
What's your go-to product for maintaining colour between salon visits?
My go to for colour maintenance is the LifeSaver Pre-wash Treatment, that keeps my hair healthy, long and shiny.
Current hair crush?
Now and always Blake Lively.
Favourite cut right now?
Heavily layered with curtain bangs.
Favourite colour trend?
Colour glossing for extra shine.
Go-to Van Clarke product?
LifeSaver Ultra Pre-wash Treatment and Eureka Blowdry Balm.
One hair rule you never break?
I never brush my hair through without a leave-in conditioner.
What’s one piece of advice you wish every client would follow at home?
I recommend a version of the LifeSaver Pre-wash Treatment to every one of my clients, whatever their hair type.
If you could describe the ‘Van Clarke hair look’ in three words, what would they be?
Falls into place.
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