Expert advice for colourists working abroad
Published
14th Mar 2013
by rachael
Working abroad can be an amazing opportunity for hairdressers, giving you the chance to see the world, soak up international inspiration and promote your name and work across the globe.
Thanks to the international reach of manufacturers and brands and their desire to showcase the best of British hairdressing talent abroad, it doesn't have to be difficult to land the opportunity to show off your skills.
Here, we speak to three UK-based hairdressers who travel the world for work and find out more about the realities of presenting internationally.
Karine Jackson, Karine Jackson London
Where have you presented internationally?
Greece, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Norway
What do you enjoy most about presenting abroad?
It's a great feeling showing your work to the rest of the world. Most colourists are in awe of London and the work we produce.
How difficult is it to scout models when you're abroad?
Some countries are amazing - especially Australia where the models love that you are over from London and let you do anything with their hair.
In other countries I have struggled, but we always get there in the end - you just need to be a little patient.
Is it hard to get models who are willing to undertake the transformations you're planning when you're working abroad - especially if there's a language barrier?
I have always found that once you have picked your models and showed them your credentials they're up for anything - they really do all want 'the London look'.
How difficult is it to get all the colour/kit you need out with you?
It's hard keeping to weight restrictions and I have had my luggage lost before as well - that was incredibly stressful. Most of the time you are working with a product company so they supply the colour which takes a lot of the stress out of travelling with it.
Do you have any top tips for hairdressers who might be travelling abroad to work for the first time?
Plan to have an idea of what you are looking for and get as much information to your host prior to the event so that you are all talking from the same page, especially if there is a language barrier.
Charlie Taylor, Charlie Taylor Hair, Health and Beauty salons, Scotland
Where have you presented internationally?
My international work has taken me most of the way around the world, from South Africa and Australia to Moscow, Siberia and most of Europe and many places inbetween! Most recently I was on stage in Berlin for the Schwarzkopf Professional Essential Looks global launch event as the UK 'local hero' and it was a fantastic experience. Working with Tyler Johnston and Lesley Lawson was great and seeing all the other local heroes from around the globe was fascinating.
What do you enjoy most about presenting abroad?
I absolutely adore travelling around the world to do my job. Mostly I love meeting people. Usually a manufacturer is hosting an event and the large majority of trips I have done, they have introduced me to some amazing international colleagues and indeed a lot of them have now become friends. Of course I love to visit new countries and cities, although mostly I fly in, model call, prep day, show day then out!! All that said, the thrill of presenting to big audiences in different countries is unbelievable, I truly love every aspect from planning the show, music, clothes, make-up and of course the hair.
How difficult is it to scout models when you're abroad?
I'm an expert scouter - I think nothing of getting out in the street and finding the faces and hair types I am looking for! I usually take a member of the team with me, take some tear sheets of the looks I want to achieve and set about the task. Wherever possible for time's sake I will ask the show organiser to set up a model call for me.
Is it hard to get models who are willing to undertake the transformations you're planning when you're working abroad - especially if there's a language barrier?
Working with models is a skill in itself! Those of us on the show circuit know generally what to expect from certain types of models. Professional models will very rarely allow much to be done to their hair in terms of cutting or colouring and can often be a bit tricky to deal with. Most are prepared to have their hair styled or dressed out. The agencies they are with will not want their hair to look different to their model/casting books. The type of model we often are looking for to do transformations on generally are good looking semi-professional hair models who are used to the change of hairstyle. If the models don't speak English, then we tend to use photographs a lot to demonstrate the looks.
How difficult is it to get all the kit you need out with you?
Well I would love to say I travel light... however the fact is we always have excess baggage, with cases full of the essential show items. Where possible Schwarzkopf Professional will have the colours we require sent to the prep areas where we work. It would not be unusual for me to be stopped at customs and have to explain why we have so much equipment with us and what it is for. I was once in Germany and before boarding the plane was taken away by the German police - I had to go to the back of the police van, identify my cases and explain what all the equipment like tongs were and what I was doing with them! Not for the faint at heart I can tell you!
Do you have any top tips for hairdressers who might be travelling abroad to work for the first time?
When you walk into your first model call for a large show and you have to work out which models will be suitable for which looks, I ask all models who are happy to have a change of style to go to one side of the room and everyone who wants to keep their hair to go to the other side. That way it's splits into two groups and makes the decision making so much easier. Also try your best to get everyone you are working with abroad on board with what you are trying to achieve - ultimately then everyone tries so much harder to help you deliver a great show.
Faye Turner, HOB Salons creative colour director and head of technical education Where have you presented internationally?
I'm very lucky to have visited many amazing places with HOB, the furthest being Brazil where I have just visited. Italy and Spain have been my hosts the most but I think I've been to most of Europe. Going to Japan was my dream though and it
lived up to all expectations!
What do you enjoy most about presenting abroad?
Meeting new people and seeing familiar faces. Working in education means you have lots of visitors from other countries so to present and teach in their environment is fantastic. Producing great work with local girls can be challenging but it is always so inspiring and allows you to push creative boundaries.
How difficult is it to scout models when you're abroad?
Fortunately the only time I've ever had to model scout aboard was in Japan, but that wasn't without its problems as the same weekend they had another hair show and every person I asked had either been asked before, didn't want 'the London look' or was doing the other hair show. Oh and it was 35 degrees... joy!
Is it hard to get models who are willing to undertake the transformations you're planning when you're working abroad - especially if there's a language barrier?
It can be very difficult - some countries are harder than others whereas some are very open-minded. I think because I'm a girl and I colour hair, I have it easier than lots of the stylists but you are still at the mercy of your translator and how they put across your ideas and thoughts.
I have learnt over time not to push the model too much. I used to not pick a girl simply because she wouldn't let me do what I wanted, but you can't force that creative London look in a little village in Italy. Sometimes beautiful colour executed well on a local model is just as impressive for the audience.
How difficult is it to get all the colour/kit you need out with you?
A travelling colourist always has a few bags of tricks with them... In Europe I take my kit, foils and sectioning clips normally in my own case, squeezed in with a few bottles of Wella Colour Fresh just in case. I don't always need much as we all have the same Wella products.
It's different when you go further afield as they don't always have what you need or what you are used to using. I always ask for a list of all the products they have before I go so that I can be prepared, but at the same time I like to produce looks that the audience could do themselves, so it's important to make it accessible.
Do you have any top tips for hairdressers who might be travelling abroad to work for the first time?
Go with the flow but be prepared to work hard. You may only see an airport, a show venue and a hotel but no matter what, make sure that most of all you enjoy it. To travel as a hairdresser is amazing; I've had to pinch myself many a times and think how lucky I am to be able to see the world as part of my job!