Why does it seem that hair colourists are always looking forward and hairstylists are always looking to the past for inspiration?
It might be because, relatively speaking, hair colourists have such a short past.
Not to say people haven’t coloured their hair since time began, but modern hair colour is only 114 years old.
In that time, the advances that have been made have been at a remarkable rate. No more bleach burns trying to achieve that perfect Nordic blond. No more metallic looking shoe polish browns. The best colourists are playing and experimenting with their ever-changing box of crayons.
Hairstylists have no such box of toys. Yes, I admit with rollers, irons, brushes and scissors we too can manipulate hair to create beauty, but what we do have that is so crucial to our craft is 5,000 years of history.
There isn’t an era in recorded history we can’t look back to for inspiration. Not just to replicate, but to spark inspiration. The exoticism of ancient Egypt. Aristocracy of Renaissance Europe. The repressed sexuality and then freedom of 1950’s and 60’s in North America.
With a glance to the past and today’s sense of the esthetic a good stylist will amaze you.
What do they say makes for a prefect marriage?
That opposites attract.
Bill Rowley is a highly regarded Canadian hairstylist and broadcast personality. His 30-plus years of experience in the beauty industry include working as a leading stylist in Toronto’s top salons and 11 years as an independent salon owner. Rowley’s amazing eye for style and the ability to make his clients and audience look and feel gorgeous have resulted in a devoted clientele and faithful television following.
Photos courtesy of Hair on the Avenue’s Instagram
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