Lisa shepherd's life through a lens

Published 17th Sep 2008 by sophieh
Lisa shepherd's life through a lens

Lisa Shepherd is a woman on a mission - for colourists to be recognised as a career in itself and a skill that should be respected.

After training with top hairdresser Umberto Giannini in the Midlands, Lisa had the start many could only dream of, and her sheer determination and passion has led her to be crowned HJ's 2005 British Hairdresser of the Year as well as winning a host of awards for her creativity.

She is one of the country's top colourists and is the latest hair pundit to grace our screens, as colourist on TV's 10 Years Younger, bringing colour to the forefront of viewers' minds.

Now with three successful salons throughout the Midlands, Lisa doesn't look like taking it easy, with more projects in the pipeline and an insatiable appetite for fantastic looking hair colour.

Here she reflects upon some of the images that define her hairdressing career.

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This is from my 2004 Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year collection and is my favourite. It is also the one collection that has earnt me the most money as it has been published everywhere. When I told people I was creating a blonde collection they thought I was mad as it sounds really boring, but the transformations were amazing and it showed that a great blonde can really make a huge difference. 

 

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Andrew Barton had appeared in the first four series of 10 Years Younger and had done a great job, but the producers wanted a colourist to look after the colour makeovers. The screen test was difficult, but they liked me and we have a lot of fun doing the programme. My main priority was to put hair colour on the map, show that colour is just as important as a cut, and the right tonal shade can make someone look 10 years younger straight away.

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I do about two 'Evening's With...' a year. It's a chance for me to showcase what I am working on at the time. I love being on stage.

 

 

 

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This is from my Allure collection, which I shot after I won HJ's 2005 British Hairdresser of the Year. I wasn't entering it for any awards, or for any reason except to have fun. It took three days but was one of the most relaxing shoots as I didn't have a brief to follow. It was a lot of money to spend on having fun, but I was delighted with the results.

 

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I love working in the salon and for me it is like having a day off. Cutting and colouring hair is an essential part of my job, as it's crucial I keep in touch with my team and clients. My clients are friends so I can relax and enjoy myself and remind myself why I became a hairdresser in the first place.

 

 

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Winning Most Inspirational Business Woman was a real surprise. I have always concentrated on the creative side and have only recently focussed on the business side. I have always found hairdressing easy but now I am determined to be seen as successful at business as well.

 

 

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I had waited all my life to win HJ's British Hairdresser of the Year and it was everything I imagined it to be. I was pregnant and sober in a room full of excitable hairdressers and it was a turning point in my life. If I can do it anyone can. I was the first colourist to win this award. Cutters and session stylists are seen as cool but colourists are often in the back or in the basement despite making the most money. I hope I can change that. 



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This is what life is all about - you work hard and have a great home life. My husband Roger and son Jakson are everything to me and I am very lucky to have two loves in my life - my family and my career.

Be inspired by more top hairdressers' photography



sophieh

sophieh

Published 17th Sep 2008

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