SATISFYING A CREATIVE SPIRIT

By Louise May

Stuart Bane is on the brink of celebrating an incredible 24 years in the hair industry, a journey that has taken him from a small town south of London to salons in Sydney and beyond. Like many, his path to hairdressing wasn’t direct. Fresh out of school, Stuart found himself working on a building site alongside three of his brothers, all tradesmen.

But while he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, the work didn’t quite satisfy his creative spirit. He’d always been drawn to experimenting with his personal style, especially hair, and when Toni&Guy opened a salon in his hometown, it ignited his curiosity. The salon’s modern aesthetic and the creative energy it exuded called to him, and soon, he embarked on his hairdressing apprenticeship.

At Toni&Guy, Stuart discovered a structured approach to hairdressing, where each stylist would specialise in either cutting or colouring after completing their apprenticeship. Stuart gravitated towards colouring. His knack for logic and understanding detail made colouring feel more natural to him, and as luck would have it, the salon was in need of a colourist. After just 15 months, Stuart was off to the London academy to complete his ‘vardering,’ an intense finishing school where he honed his craft in colour. From then on, Stuart was able to take clients and leave behind the bar job he’d been working four nights a week to pay the bills.

Stuart’s passion for colouring stems from the transformative power it holds. To him, colour isn’t just about altering someone’s hair; it’s about enhancing their texture, adding body and shine, and even highlighting or softening their facial features. His expertise in colour led him to become a Master Colour Expert, giving him an in-depth understanding of the chemistry behind the products he was using. Now, he’s taking that knowledge to the next level, studying to become a Cosmetic Chemist.

His passion for hair and skincare has always been strong, and this new journey allows him to explore the science behind the products that professionals use every day.

Stuart has also used his expertise to launch a unique Instagram account, @knot_sure_, aimed at educating both hairdressers and clients. Unlike many social media platforms dominated by influencer-driven marketing, his account is brand-neutral, offering unbiased, educational content.

Stuart is committed to cutting through the misinformation that circulates online, ensuring that people can make informed decisions about hair care. His initiative has already resonated with fellow hairdressers, who have been reaching out to him for advice, validating his mission to bring real expertise back to the industry.

Having worked in both London and Sydney, Stuart has witnessed how global trends have shifted. In the past, hair trends varied significantly depending on location, but the rise of digital platforms like Instagram has made trends more globalised. Today, trends are driven by consumers, and what Stuart sees are micro-trends—small shifts adopted by those bold enough to try something new. Living in Australia, he’s noticed that lifestyle plays a huge role in influencing local trends. The sun, sea, and climate all lend themselves to longer, sun-kissed hairstyles, which are in stark contrast to the vibrant colours he would often see in the UK, where fading is less of a concern.

Looking ahead, the next 12 months are set to be exciting for Stuart. As he works toward becoming a fully qualified Cosmetic Chemist, he plans to continue sharing his knowledge with the industry. He’s also eager to reconnect with his creative side, hoping to collaborate with talented friends on projects that promote diverse representation and skills.

Stuart’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. He’s been open about his struggles with mental health, having experienced burnout twice. Like many hairdressers, he found himself caught in the comparison trap, pushing himself to overwork in an effort to appear successful. But today, success looks very different for Stuart.

Now three years sober, he prioritises fitness, rest, and therapy, all of which allow him to be a better hairdresser—and a better person. While he once entered the industry purely to make people look good, now he wants to make them feel good, too.

Beyond that, Stuart wants to return to his roots in education, offering hands-on, tactile training for the next generation of hair superstars. His goal is to help them not only understand the ‘how’ but also the ‘why’ behind their craft—so they, too, can make their mark on the industry just as he has.

@knot_sure_ www.stuartbanecolour.com