Mastering the art of traditional hairdressing techniques

Many women who choose a smooth style for the office are looking for something a little bit different for a night out or a special occasion.

A look at the catwalk shows and the red carpet reveals celebrities are opting for something more classic and technical - and what celebrities want today, the girl on the street will want tomorrow.

It's all very well being known for your beautiful blow-dries, but to stay one step ahead of the rest - and enhance your career - you need to be adept at a variety of techniques.

And unless today's hairdressers learn the more traditional techniques of pin curling, barrel curling or Marcel waves, these techniques are in danger of disappearing.

We asked a selection of hairdressers how important it is that hairdressers learn these techniques.

Antoinette Beenders, global creative director, Aveda

"Vintage techniques are imperative to our craft. I learnt all the traditional hairdressing skills during my time with Trevor Sorbie and I could not have created the looks I have without this grounding.

"Recently, I took a few lessons with classical hairdresser Leno D'Aprano. He is a wonderful craftsman, a master at Marcel waving.

"Although I will never be as good as him, it still gave me a crucial insight into the purity of traditional hairdressing skills.

"The trick is to know how it's done and then add a modern spin on it.

Lisa Shepherd, Lisa Shepherd Salons, Kidderminster

"It's crucial hairdressers learn the old-fashioned techniques, especially if they want to do show and stage work.

I'd always welcome old hairdressing techniques. In fact, when I was in the FAME team my request was for us to learn finger waves.

"Since then I have used these techniques in almost everything I do."

Eugene Souleiman, session stylist

"There are a lot of skills needed to be a session stylist.  

"To be a great hairdresser you should be able to do a full head of Marcel waves, put hair up, braid hair, colour hair, cut it, blow-hair out - do everything and more."

Patrick Cameron

"Any major hairdresser or international platform artist will understand that vintage hairdressing techniques are the basics of trend and fashion. For me the craft of our industry lies in these techniques.

"Remember, fashion is a circle and it often draws on history for inspiration, so it is very important hairdressers who want to excel in their profession learn these techniques. You never know when you might need them.

"Adapting these techniques to look modern and fashionable is easy.

"Always take the feeling or inspiration from the classics, and either soften the look or make it more structured.

"For example, the 60s beehive can be brought up-to-date to add a softer, messier, outer structure, like Amy Winehouse.

"Finger waving has also been seen on the catwalks this season, but instead of waving the whole area, just wave the front section to add a little 20s glamour with an edge."

Mark Leeson, Mark Leeson Hair, Body & Mind, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

"It is essential to teach your junior team members the foundations of hairdressing. Classic techniques that are not used much today may come back into fashion in the future so it is important to have a good grounding and be able to know how to work with the hair.

"Classic hairdressing techniques such as finger waving are essential if you want to become a session stylist or be involved with photographic work.

"I love using stack perms and pin curls and use these techniques a lot in shoots, shows, seminars and in training.

"I always ensure my assistants get a good grounding in all areas of hairdressing and train them in a wide range of techniques.

 

"When you are asked to style hair for a magazine you often have a tight brief to work to and unless you are an all-round hairdresser, you may not be able to fulfil that brief."

Claudio Contrasti, session stylist

"In my opinion classic hairstyling is far from dead. It is the ultimate foundation for session stylists and it is important for salon stylists to know various hairdressing techniques.

"The art of finger waving or pin curls recreates vintage 20s and 30s looks, which are still very popular for a big night.

"I believe that with the skill of classic hairdressing techniques you can create the most elegant and romantic hairstyles.

"I quite often use my classic techniques for wavy, sexy feminine hairstyles for shows, photo shoots and for my salon clients."

Malcolm Edwards, session stylist

"I think it's really important to learn old hairdressing techniques.

"From a creative perspective it gives you way more scope  - sometimes people come to help me and they can't even use a curling iron, being stuck in the world of blow-dry only, or ironing hair to death with straighteners.

"You have to go back to basics and learn how to use different tools and techniques.

"I also think classic techniques should be an integral part of training for all hairdressers. It wasn't a part of my training, so I had a lot to learn when I started to assist in the session world, but I loved soaking up all the new information.

"It makes your fingers way more nimble. The more skills you have at your fingertips, the better. Most of my work is a twist on a classic - it's all about how you wrap it, whether it's with scale, placement, or a different texture."

Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck, Toni & Guy

"It is fundamental for every hairdresser to master all techniques for styling and finishing, and some of the more vintage setting and blow-drying techniques are making a huge comeback.

"Thanks to fashion's nostalgic revival of 40s and 50s styles, hairdressers are going to see more and more requests for those vintage techniques.

"We worked on around 40 fashion shows at London Fashion week in February, and nearly every show required some element of setting hair.

"At Gavin Douglas the team had to wet-set all 15 models. Even creating what looks like effortlessly stylish waves often takes hours of prepping and tonging."