The WOW Factor

Letitia Hutchings grew up around hairdressing and from the age of 4 can remember being around her mum in the salon. She started being a T’n’Tidy for her mum on Saturday’s when she turned 13 and when she was 17, decided to pursue hairdressing as a career.

“I’ve seen the best and worst of this career going from managers that would want to grow their staff, to a manager that didn’t care and wouldn’t guide you. This made me decide what kind of leader I wanted to become.”

2011 Letitia qualified and continued her career working at Wow! Excellence in hair, and worked her way up to a management position and shortly after in, 2014 she took ownership of 2 Wow! Stores in Taigum & Strathpine, QLD.

“This was a new chapter for me, learning the business side of things, from having to balance the books to organising stock. I learnt a lot about managing people, a lot about training and what my strengths and weaknesses were as a manager.”

In early 2017 Letitia was approached by a leasing team member of Grand Central offering her a position in their shopping centre, which at first, she declined but later decided it could be a good opportunity. She decided to keep one salon in Brisbane and give Toowoomba a go!

“We started the design and leasing process to building what is now my beautiful creation and rebranded Wow! Excellence in Hair. The same name but a different look!”

Wow! Excellence in Hair, Toowoomba opened its doors in December 2017. Letitia brought a senior stylist with her, who she trained in Brisbane from a first year to qualified stylist and… “we have been smashing goals ever since!” “Working full time on the floor while managing my busy Toowoomba salon left little time on my days off to visit the Brisbane salon and 2019 made me rethink my business priorities. I no longer had the time to spread myself between the two salons and was struggling to find a good work life balance.”

So, in Feb 2020, she sold the Brisbane salon to be able to give her Toowoomba salon 100% full attention to help her salon grow and achieve her goals!

“Covid was a slippery Slope for many businesses but for my salon we powered on through it! Some stylists chose to assist the business by going onto Job seeker and others decided to work the hours that I could provide, this meant the salon could paddle through these uncharted waters and successfully get to the other side!”

“Post Covid was hectic as the salon came back twice as big as before and hasn’t stopped yet! Our clientele keeps expanding and we have built the salon on word of mouth! I’m getting close to qualifying another apprentice who started with us as a first year soon after opening. I enjoy growing my team from the beginning as I feel they then know and can meet my exceptional standards and I can ensure I’ve hand moulded them to ensure my customers are in the safest hands possible.”

Wow! Excellence in Hair was named recently in the Top 3 best rated salons in Toowoomba, a beautiful compliment to Letitia’s team of wonderful stylists and just goes to show if you put the hard work into your staff they will return the effort in their work.

“2021 is going to be another amazing year for Wow!,” says Letitia, “with new junior stylists joining our team to help the business grow and expand. My future goal is for my business to outgrow my current space within the next 5 years allowing us a bigger salon and more team mates to join the crew!” “I feel so lucky to have the amazing team I’ve created and look forward to many more years in the industry creating beautiful hair and touching many hearts in the process.”

Letitia is a loyal customer of M&U Imports using the Hilift True Colour, True Eco, Silver Brilliance and Cureplex ranges, Hilift retail and Magnesium hair straighteners. She also stocks and uses the Adore and ABBA range, Brasil Cacau, Speedy hairdryers and Zalon colour remover to name just a few. “My favourite product is Brasil Cacau smoothing, the results are amazing and it leaves the hair smooth and easy to manage,”, says Letitia. “True Colour is perfect for my salon being an affordable range which enables us to create beautiful long lasting colours that come in an amazing boutique range. M&U provide lots of marketing to us free of charge and I regularly receive beautiful banners and stickers making them the perfect partner for me!”

Wow! Excellence in Hair, Grand Central Shopping Centre, Toowoomba FB and IG @wowhairtoowoomba

SHINING SEMI PERMANENT HAIR COLOUR VEGAN CRUELTY FREE

HOW TO UTILISE YOUR COLOUR PORTFOLIO TO BEST ACHIEVE DREAM RESULTS

By Kristie Kesic

How fortunate we are as colourists in our industry. We have access to so many prestige brands with the most beautiful and expansive colour ranges. Because of this there are so many things that an owner must consider when choosing a colour brand for their salon. Some see benefit in choosing to be a brand exclusive salon; others may prefer to build a tailor-made product portfolio for their salon, choosing bits and pieces from several companies or lines. Regardless of what is available in your salon, it’s up to you as a colourist to become an expert on that product and utilize the entire range. There is a purpose and application for every single product within any brands’ range.

I’m going to focus on the blonde portfolio, because it is the most extensive one and, in my opinion, it’s also the most misused product portfolio. My advice that follows is based on my personal tried and tested results. Always follow your chosen products manufactures instructions. Don’t be afraid to ask for the advice from your specific brands’ guest artists or creative directors. I say these guys because they are the ones using these products every single day and can give you honest product feedback and results.

I won’t talk brand specifics as this is not a sponsored blog. I’m and open book and I want these articles to be helpful to as many colourists as possible. Generally speaking, most colour brands have a blonde portfolio that may include the following products: - Permanent tint colours - Special blondes - Powder lightener - Cream Lightner - Clay Lightner

We have access to this diverse range of lightening products yet more often than not, colourists hear blonde and they reach straight for the bleach. On the other side of the chair, you will come across clients that say they want to go lighter but don’t want any bleach on their hair. What about the ones that just want a tint, but don’t want to see any warmth or gold in their hair? The reality is, it’s not your client’s responsibility to know this the chemistry of our product portfolio. Through in-depth consultation, your client should only need to establish what they want (or more importantly what they don’t want). It’s our responsibility to determine what product is best suited to achieve their desired result. Let’s look at each product category individually, so we can understand their function and why they hold their place in the wonderful world of colour.

PERMANENT TINT:

When I think blondes in a tint range, I think levels 7-10. Some ranges are ammonia free; some are PPD free, some still contain both ingredients. The level of lift you will achieve with a tint depends on 3 important factors; starting level, the peroxide, the reflect. A permanent tint mixed with 6% will cover grey or give two levels of lift. 9% will give you three levels of lift and 12% will give you 4 levels of lift. The tone of the hair will depend on the reflect of the tint colour chosen. Finally, the result will also depend on the underlying pigment of the natural hair you start off with. Most colourists will tell you; if you use a tint colour to lighten hair it’s likely going to throw warmth and brassy tones unless you are naturally blonde. By choosing to use a tint colour to lighten hair darker than a 7 level, you will produce a caramel colour or a warm blonde. If you choose to use a colour with too much ash in an attempt to counteract the warm underlying pigment, the colour may also appear darker. This is because ash or cool colours appear darker to the eye and will appear to lighten one shade less. For example, if you use an 8/11 tint (8/ash ash) on 6 level hair you will most likely achieve a 7 level result.

WHEN YOU WOULD USE THIS PRODUCT:

Utilize tint in foils when you want to create multi tones within blondes. It is the perfect colour range for this. Tints can be used as a regrowth colour to cover client’s grey hair and then add in foils. I’m a big fan of using tints as a lightening product when you want to achieve less than three levels of lift and want a slighter warmer result. Remember not every client wants to be a platinum blonde. You may have a client who is a natural brunette wanting subtle lightening or to create movement with colour. This is when I would use a tint in a foil or balayage technique.

It’s the perfect product that will produce longevity in a colour. As a colourist I love when a virgin hair client comes in just wanting a subtle lift. My go-to is a tint because I know that colour isn’t going to go too brassy or wash out to be too light over time, because the product has done its job and only lifted to the desired level.

SPECIAL BLONDES:

Ahhh our 12 level, or ‘high lift’ series. The magic blonde range that can lift and tone in one go with a tint. You may also know these products as the ones that sit on the highest shelf collecting dust. If you’ve used them incorrectly, you might have used these once and never picked them up again. I love the concept of a high lift tint but let’s be real, unless your hair is naturally blonde and I mean a level 8 natural or lighter to start off with, these colours will always be mighty warm. When mixed with 12% peroxide, these products will only ever (in the perfect world) give you a maximum of four levels of lift. As they are mixed with 12% peroxide and can be put under heat (brand dependant) it can be a product that may also cause an uncomfortable tingle on your client’s scalp.

When you would use this product:

To achieve warm blonde tones without using bleach. Salons have used these products to ‘prelighten’ the hair before applying another product to achieve vibrant shades of colours. This is a very clever way to achieve vibrant colours that are best supported by an orange undertone eg. reds, coppers and vibrant yellows. Special blondes or high lift tints have also been known to remove direct dye pigment from the hair. Ask your brand educator for any other creative ways they may see fit to utilize these products.

POWDER LIGHTENER:

Also known as ‘bleach’, this is the ultimate blonde product. Powder lightener is versatile and predictable. In my opinion it is the number one product a colourist cannot live without. The strength of this product depends on the peroxide it is mixed with. Usually, these include 4%, 6%, 9% or 12% (or whatever other cheeky higher percentage peroxides some people have hiding in their salon). I believe it is also the most miss-used product. Powder lighteners are designed to lift up to seven levels, with some brands claiming to lift up to nine levels (yes, trust me… that brand will give you nine). If you want to achieve any kind of lighter colour or any level of lift on already artificially coloured hair, a powder lightener must be used. If you want the maximum level of lift in any lightening work including foil, balayage, colour correction or creative colour work; Yes! Reach for the bleach. Remember bleach isn’t bad and with correct use and application it won’t break the hair off. A bad colourist that miss uses the bleach is the one that will cause the damage. Powder lightener will dry out and swell or bleed onto other unwanted areas of hair if left to process in open air, hence why we use foil, plastic, paper or other equivalents to lock the products moisture in.

When you would use this product:

This really is the product you can use almost anywhere for a variety of desired results, which is why for a lot of colourists it has become habit to use it. Powder lightener can be used to create the ultimate blonde with maximum levels of lift. It can be used in foils to lighten through artificial colour. Within a balayage technique, this product can be placed between plastic, foil, paper or mesh to create maximum level of lift in one go. It can be used on natural hair for any blonde work you desire, or in creative work to pre-lighten. When you are using bleach, you are stripping colour out of the hair and exposing the underlying pigment beneath. This will then need to be toned/glossed to achieve the true colour result you want. A rule to live by; don’t lighten the hair past the desired level. If the hair is lightened beyond the target, you will be required to tone the hair back deeper and the longevity of that tone will be sacrificed.

CLAY LIGHTENER

With the world embracing all things balayage, colour product companies had no choice but to create a premium product to facilitate this new colour trend. And what a fabulous product it is. Clay lighteners boast technology in which this product creates its own protective outer shell, allowing the lightener inside to retain its moisture. This means the product won’t transfer to other unwanted areas of the hair, yet can still continue to lighten on the inside. Manufacturer’s instructions often suggest these products can lighten up to 6-7 levels, but when assuming a desired result I would highly recommend you take into consideration; texture of hair, existing level of hair and if the hair is natural or artificially coloured. Clay lightening products are normally mixed with their own specific peroxide range. A 6% peroxide designed for a clay lightener is not the same strength as 6% peroxide mixed with a powder bleach or tint.

When you would use this product:

In my opinion this is the ultimate freehand application product due to the fact that it can process in open air without any foil or plastic and without heat. In my opinion it should be used only when wanting to achieve a maximum of four levels of lift.

CREAM LIGHTENER

Cream lightener is my favourite product for all on-scalp lightening work. This is a colourists best friend when it comes to scalp bleaches wanting maximum levels of lift. Most of these products will lighten seven levels, however some ranges may have a product with extra push power to give you eight. I have a cheeky rule of wisdom I live by with my scalp bleaches though: if you have to double process to receive the desired result, it’s your client’s hair telling you they shouldn’t ever be that blonde. Manufacturer’s instructions also state to only ever use up to 6% strength peroxide on scalp. This is extremely important for the comfort of the client, their scalp and hair condition. This is one rule as a colourist that I would never break. If you are thinking of breaking it, I suggest you apply bleach and 9% peroxide or above on your own scalp to experience what you would potentially be putting a client through. Cream lightener is the product colour brands have designed specifically for on-scalp work. Often, they contain soothing ingredients or extra oils (for example chamomile extract) that will make the product more comfortable whilst processing on the client’s scalp. Due to the creamy consistency of these lighteners, the product won’t dry out as quickly which is very import when processing in open air and utilizing the natural heat band of the scalp.

When would you use this product:

For all on-scalp lightening work. If you are chasing an all over platinum bleach blonde regrowth application, cream lightener is your go-to. Now I am by no means an expert on every brand or range of colour. However, I am lucky that I do get to play with many different companies, products and tools. I keep across all the latest products, their results and developing technology. I am also a Master Colour Expert within the product company I use in my own salon. To be the best colourist you can be for your clients, the best piece of advice I can tell you is; to learn their products inside and out. Test them, try them, use them in their intended way and in a controlled scenario push them a little too. Become the expert. Know how each product reacts and then understand how and when to use them. Don’t always pick up the bleach, stop and think about the whole portfolio you have access to. Challenge yourself to use one product other than bleach when the situation allows you. It will keep your days interesting as well as giving your clients a more personalised colour and point of reason to keep coming back to you!

FACE FRAMINGBy Sheree Knobel

Face framing and money pieces is still a strong trend for 2021and this year saw Sheree Knobel, owner of Bixie Colour, presenting her take on how to achieve a strong FACE FRAME on an existing Blonde at Redken Symposium, held globally online for the first time ever.

So, what exactly is a Money-Piece? We asked Sheree to break it down for HAIRBIZ.

A money piece is a SPOTLIGHT on the hair. Its’ where your eye is first drawn to when you look at the hair. It is the highlight of the colour. The HERO.

A money piece will usually frame the face and stands out from the rest of the hair.

With so many variations to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your guest?

The first thing I do with my guest is pull up my Instagram. Here I have many saved photos of money pieces. We go through them one by one so I can see my guest’s reaction to the many variations I have saved. Some are super strong (think E girl), and others are soft and subtle. This gives me an instant idea of what my clients personal preferences are.

Next, I look at my client’s hair & health. Does my client have enough hair near her hair-line to support the money piece, or is too broken and dry?

If it’s sensitised and not ready to handle any more lightening, I’ll put my guest on a home maintenance program of Redken Extreme Shampoo & Conditioner + Ph bonder treatment + Play safe for heat protection.

We will agree to a home maintenance routine to ensure my clients hair is healthy and strong before creating our face frame. Something to work towards.

If my guest has healthy hair and can be lightened, I’ll then decide on the technique I use to achieve the desired result. • Where your attention goes, your energy flows. I’ve seen many colourists not get the re-sult they wanted because they got lost in their foils. Always start with a plan. Where do you want the brightest part of the hair to be? If that’s at the front, start at the front and work your way back. • Face frames/ Money pieces are usually strong with more blonde than the rest of your hair, so don’t be afraid to take slices instead of weaves. A slice will give you a more concentrated colour result and if placed on angles or curves, will always fall softly. • TOP TIP - A thick slice of hair will take longer to lift than a finer slice of hair. This comes down to saturation. A finer slice of hair will lift quickly and more evenly so if you are working on a thick slice section, break it into

a few finer slices for maximum impact. • If you are only using slices, your money piece will be strong and unblended so keep this in mind. To soften it out a little, I recommend starting on a weave ( on hairline ) then moving to your slices, then finishing on a few weaves. This will give you the strength of the pop, but with softens and blend.

A face frame /money piece will always pop more if it’s next to darker hair as it creates a shadow. There is more contrast making the blonde look BLONDER.

This means it can sometimes be hard to create a strong face frame on already blonde hair.

A few things I find useful is to create my face frame with foils, then once rinsed, balayage my face frame again at the basin. I like to do this while my Zone tone is on, then gently tip out the hairline ends with balayge. Because the hair is already lightened, I recommend using a gentle lighter like Redken Flash lift with blonder inside + 10vol for 10 mins only.

Zone tone and balayage at the same time. I suggest dropping down your root shadow to a level 8 or 9 but keep your hairline lighter like a 9 or 10 level. As long as there is 1- 2 shades difference between you roots and hairline, you are creating contrast and helping your money piece pop.

My pet hate for zone toning is when the face frame looks stripy from the root (unless my client has asked for it of course).

Take the time to drop the very front piece of the hairline down and this will help avoid and stripes. It will make your colour much more wearable and also help minimise any severe grow out lines.

The most important thing is to make sure your client feels comfortable with their new look. Sometimes what we see on Instagram doesn’t always match how we feel when it’s in our hair, so be the one to make any necessary adjustments your client may need with their money piece and be thankful that we’re open to experimenting with this fun trend.

I’m obsessed with this technique and have many examples on my Instagram account @shereeknobel_bixiecolour Be sure to tag me in your creations, I’d love to see them! Sheree x

Flawless

A FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

By Cobelle Creative

FLAWLESS is the education lovechild of dynamic duo, Kristie Kesic and Elle Schoemaker of Cobelle Creative.

Together, they bring expertise in specialist cutting and colour work.

Salon education is the foundation of a strong hair industry, and sharing knowledge is powerful. Kristie and Elle demonstrate how mastering the basics is essential for a strong skill set, and why it is important to first respect and understand these fundamentals, before attempting more advanced techniques.

Kristie and Elle bring you practical education, applicable to the salon environment. Flawless aims to educate and inspire industry peers, raise industry standards and ignite passion within the fundamentals of our craft.

FLAWLESS COLOUR BY KRISTIE KESIC

This in salon education workshop is designed to highlight the importance and value of mastering fundamental colour skills and techniques. In particular, discover the opportunity that foiling confidence can have on your business’ success.

WHAT KRISTIE WILL SHOWCASE

• The importance of consultation • Why it is important to personalise your colour services • Why technique and precision are everything • Why you should embrace foiling • Salon relevant looks used every single day in the salon

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How to create a platinum blonde look with foils • Multi-dimensional blondes • Natural blondes • Foil techniques and patterns to suit every haircut

WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY WITH

• A love for fundamentals • An appreciation for in salon work • An array of foiling techniques you can incorporate into your salon work

FLAWLESS CUTTING BY ELLE SCHOEMAKER

This in salon workshop centres around breaking down key components of skills, techniques and actions used in providing excellent hair cutting services.

Focus is brought to understanding and perfecting the fundamental principles of hair cutting, and how to effectively apply them on clients in your salon.

WHAT ELLE WILL SHOWCASE

• The importance of thorough consultation • How to determine style and technique choices • Why technique and precision are paramount • How personalisation can elevate a style

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN • Basic cutting terminology, techniques and actions • Personalisation and texturizing techniques • Finishing techniques to enhance styles

WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY • An appreciation for the fundamentals • A better understanding of hair cutting principals • The ability to effectively choose cutting techniques to achieve a desired outcome • An array of skills and techniques applicable to salon clients

Both Kristie & Elle work with you to assess your teams’ workshop. They will personalise the day to get the most out of your team for their skill level.

“We started flawless education because we were seeing a lack of skilful hairdressers applying for jobs within our salon. We put such a big focus on education within our salon and our own internal program but realised a lot of salons don’t. We knew we had something special we could share with the industry and wanted to make hairdressers appreciate the importance of the fundamentals. It’s so easy to want to go straight to the creative stuff but if you learn these fundamental skills correctly from the start you are going to be a better hairdresser for it.”

Kristie & Elle

Covid, closures and chefs taking over... what’s next? Well let’s start with...

THE HAIR AND BEAUTY INDUSTRY’S TOP 4 CHALLENGES

Challenge 1: The huge drop in interest for Hair & Beauty Apprenticeships - remember the good old days when people used to line up when Salons placed an ad for an apprentice?

Challenge 2: Teachers and training organisations carrying the torch by themselves. ALL of the industry is responsible for what is taught to the future generation of artists. We cannot expect teachers to push this forward alone. We must stand with them, united.

Challenge 3: A lack of training that is current, relatable, relevant and has students ‘job ready’ and happily connected to the learning journey. We need GLOBAL MASTERS OF THE CRAFT engaging and exciting the future of our industry. Educators that are respected and loved the world over for their skill and ability to ignite passion.

Challenge 4: An industry that is often overlooked. Seen as a last resort for students lacking direction.... A place to stop for a moment, but not for the career of a lifetime. An assumption that MUST change – one that is far from the truth, and certainly far from fair.

THE SOLUTION: THE CRAFT BY SHARON BLAIN

Welcome to a new era of Hair and Beauty Education. A first-ever coalition of global masters that are bringing the world of hairdressing to the student’s doorstep. Delivered by such hairdressing luminaries including the coveted team from the SASSOON Academy, Sharon Blain, and Vivienne Mackinder to name only just a few.

GLOBAL MASTERS unparalleled in their excellence and relevance, that until now, students would have found impossible to access, let alone earn their formal qualifications alongside.

Just imagine... Diplomas, that can also be offered as stand-alone Short Courses around the world. Starting with CERT III & IV in the country that has produced some of the world’s greatest artists – AUSTRALIA.

An offering designed to specifically address the industry’s most crucial issues: • Lifting the value of the industry and attracting more students to the

Hairdressing and Beauty professions.

From Certificate to Diploma, and Short

Courses that allow students to add to their skills where they need it most • Meeting the massive untapped potential to foster world-class training for learning, motivational upskilling, creativity and overall best practice for existing professionals and apprentices • Removing the stress and time required for curriculum preparation and allowing trainers and assessors to focus their time and energy on supporting their students, instead of tedious administrative tasks • Providing ‘train the trainer’ programs that support hard working teachers, keeping them engaged, current and inspired, whilst also backing them with a unified front where the whole industry works together to push education forward • Retaining and motivating students to finish their education, remain in the industry, and continue their journey with a world of opportunities in their hands

Is this really possible? YOU BET IT IS! And it’s already here! THE CRAFT by Sharon Blain is...

The most spectacular, eclectic, and outside the box education program ever seen nationally and internationally.

Importantly it meets all the onerous training package requirements - educator content is matched by detailed student learner guides, thorough assessment tools, teacher support, marking guides and handbooks.

It is a turn-key, future proof, and yet affordable offering for students and education providers in a delivery system that embraces the digital disruption of the education market and the learning preferences of today’s student. Organisations powered by THE CRAFT can together be the vital engine and trusted partner of the industry.

They can address the most crucial issues and reignite the passion for Hairdressing and Beauty in Australia.

TOGETHER WE MUST UNITE AS WE PROPEL THE HAIR AND BEAUTY INDUSTRY BACK TO ITS FORMER GLORY.

How can you get involved or find out more? Join the #LOVEMYCRAFT movement as we stand united during one of our toughest times yet.

Go to lovemycraft.me and find out how to work with Sharon and THE CRAFT TEAM to drive the Industry, your team, your salon, and yourself, forward.

“I’ve been in the industry for over 50 years and education is my passion and my legacy. THE CRAFT brings some of the greatest icons of our time to your local TAFE or College. Outstanding CERT III & IV UNITS delivered by global masters from around the globe that are mapped to the official training packages” Sharon Blain, Founder of THE CRAFT

GREEN SHOOTS

By Anthony Gray

The start of 2021 has seen an incredible upswing in the numbers of new apprentice sign-ups in some states while in others the rate has stagnated under the ongoing threat of COVID 19. Fingers crossed, with more hopeful signs of a national recovery in 2021 the growth experienced by some will become a national trend in 2021.

Fueling this demand is the incredible sums of commonwealth money being chanelled toward the traditional trades. Principally the “Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements” wage subsidy is a 1.2 billion dollar scheme designed to support businesses to take on new apprentices. The funding aim is to help all trades including hairdressing to build a pipline of skilled workers into the future and act as a building block for a longer term economic recovery.

In real terms the Boosting Apprentice Commencement wage subsidy means that a salon who engages an apprentice may be eligible for a subsidy of 50% of the wages paid to the apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021 up to a maximum of $7 000 per quarter. Amazing right, but with everything, there is a catch and the catch is that the support in limited to 100 000 places across all trades. As you can imagine these places are quickly being filled with the australian apprenticeship support networks reporting an almost doubling of the month on month commencement of apprentices since October 2020.

But that’s not all. The industry has been blessed with further government support to attract new entrants in the guise of a training funding program called JobTrainer. JobTrainer is a $1 billion dollar funding partnership between federal and state governments to provide low cost or free courses in a range of trades. The program is targeted at those aged between 1724 years and who are looking for work.

For hairdressing the JobTrainer funding pool supports the Certificate II in Salon Assistant qualification. At this early stage the qualification is free for job seekers in QLD, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Unfortunately at the time of printing the Certificate II in Salon Assistant was not yet supported by JobTrainer in NSW and WA. Traditionally the domain of school based trainees, a free or low cost Certificate II in Salon Assistant course will allow training organisation to supply the industry with new entrants who have the basic skills to hit the ground running.

While this list is not exhaustive the qualification includes the buiding blocks for new entrants. The key elements include: • Salon procedures and regulation • Shampoo and Basin • Blowdrying • Communication and reception • Greet and prepare the client • Colour application and massage • Braiding

The Certificate II in Salon Assistant can provide the perfect introduction to the trade for aspiring hairdressing and can help to reduce the high rate of cancellation that is the bain of most salons when employing an apprentice. Successful completion of a pre vocational program such as the Cert II also helps to sift out those who are unsure if hairdressing is for them. Ideally every strong industry focussed program run by colleges will incorporate a substantial industry placement component. This component allow salons to essentially try before they buy. As a low-cost option with a limited commitment required, industry placement provides the opportunity for salons to identifying aspiring hairdressers that are a good fit. The natural progression for a promising graduate of the JobTrainer funded Cert II is to then roll over into a full time or part time apprenticeship.

Because of the free nature of The JobTrainer program it provides the industry an unprecedented opportunity to compete for new entrants and attract a new talent pool. For us as an industry to make the most of the opportunity it will require colleges to deliver Certificate II programs that are exciting and contemporary. The programs will need to focus on developing the key soft skills in line with a passion for service and basic practical capability. Furthermore ongoing success will only happen if the colleges align themselves closely with the salon community to ensure students are salon ready and attractive to salons when they graduate. In the end, increasing the number of qualified Salon Assistant is pointless if salon owners are unwilling to take them on due to a lack of the skill required to add value to their business. Funding of this nature is signifigant and only sustained by government when it is clearly hitting its objective to reduce the shortage of skilled and capable Hairdressers.

For Salon owners looking to access those who will complete the JobTrainer Cert II in Salon Assistant qualification or engage with those who will undertaking the qualification as part of the program over the coming months the best course of action is to connect with your local colleges as we all have a roll to play in attracting new people to our amazing industry.

With substantial government funding in place via the Boosting Apprentice Commencement wage subsidy and the new entant Job Trainer program it is the first sign of green shoots and new growth for the future of Hairdressing in some time. The challenge for us all is excite and inspire those who have been newly attracted to our industry. But above all the challenge will be to retain and nurture those people so that they stay.

Recently qualified Hairdressing Apprentice Rebecca Farrow from ZORBA HAIR

Anthony Gray is the owner/director of MIG Training, an Australian hair industry education pioneer celebrating almost 30 years in business.www.migtraining.com.au

ALANNAH JADE

We continue our series of features on the 2020/21 HOT SHOTS Team with a spotlight this issue on the beautiful Alannah Jade - the Jade to Ella&Jade!

Alannah has worked in the family owned business since the young age of 14 alongside her mother and sister.

At the age of 19, she moved to London for two years to expand her knowledge within the industry and immerse herself within a different hairdressing culture. It was upon returning to Australia that Alannah took over the management of E&J and 4 years later in 2018 took over the ownership.

Alannah’s vision when she took over was simple; to create a space that delivered beautiful, fashion led hair in a space that clients could feel relaxed and comfortable; “I wanted to build a team that would carry on the family feeling that we stem from, and a place where everybody gets to succeed and grow together.” Alannah says. “Growing off our fundamental techniques that are timeless, giving the young generation the best start to their careers as possible and finally, to build a brand that is successful for who we are and what we represent is the foundation of Ella&Jade”

With a raft of experience under her creative belt, Alannah’s true passion lies with colour. Having completed her degree with Wella Professionals in Master Colour enables Alannah to bring science and fashion together to push the envelope creating bespoke shades for her clients and on set during award season. As a current member of the prestigious Hot Shots Team for 2020, and a regular at fashion week as part of the Wella creative team for New York and London, we spoke to Alannah about her past, present and exciting future!

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE A HAIRDRESSER?

From a young age I was immersed into salon life and salon culture from watching my mother on the salon floor and then opening her own salon. The creative freedom, team culture and endless career opportunities was always something that appealed to me. !3 years on and I love the industry more than ever, the inclusivity, the connections you make with clients, team and peers is unlike any other industry.

WHAT KIND OF HAIR WORK IS YOUR FAVOURITE AND WHY?

I have always loved the art of colour and its ever-changing landscape. I am not a colourist who follows trends, but rather am obsessed with the technicality of colouring therefore I find lots of colour corrections in my chair.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OWN A SALON?

Both my parents have always owned and run their own businesses, so from a young age I saw the freedom, flexibility and passion for creating something of your own and knew that I someday wanted to go in that direction. Once I completed my apprenticeship at my mother’s salon (my Algester branch now) I moved to the U.K for 2 years on a working holiday visa.

I was fortunate enough to land a position at a well know and reputable salon group which expanded my knowledge and opened my eyes to the world of business management and leading teams. I learnt some valuable skills and lessons which are still implemented into my business model today, but I also discovered what type of employer I wanted to be to my team. These two years absolutely helped to shape the person and employer that I am today, and in July I will celebrate 3 years in business.

WHAT LED YOU TO OPENING YOUR SECOND SALON?

It was all about brand development and expanding into the Brisbane scene for real. It’s always been a dream of mine to create a space that was more than just hair- but to create an experience-based salon and incorporate elements of a day spa. We have completely run out of room in our Algester location, with clients already travelling from all over Brisbane to see us, it made sense to locate ourselves more centrally and tap into a different market that we haven’t been able to reach before.

Brand development for me means more employment opportunities and more chances to grow our talent; this is a fundamental part of who we are at Ella&Jade.

WHERE DID THE INSPIRATION COME FROM REGARDING THE FIT OUT OF THE NEW SALON?

When designing the space, I really wanted to focus on the feel of the space, it certainly is not your typical salon design. I wanted to elevate the salon experience and offer Brisbane a unique experience like no other.

We wanted the basin area to feel more like a spa with soft lighting tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the cutting floor.

up in details around the shop. I think for us, the big change is not having a reception desk. We wanted the client experience to feel very different and more like walking into a designer boutique or fine dining restaurant.

And of course, the exposed colour bar. I wanted the clients to be involved in every aspect of their experience, the colour bar allows us to involve our clients in this process rather than being disconnected and hidden in the back room.

HOW DO YOU JUGGLE OWNING THE 2 SALONS IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT?

At the moment I split my time between both salons so that I can see all of my team as often as possible, and alongside this I have a full time Operations Manager who helps manage the team, stock and everything in between.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE LIFE AND WORK BALANCE

I am still trying to figure this one out, but Covid has taught me that it is okay to completely switch off at times to be the best version of myself for my team and my clients. Being more present and taking time out to spend with my partner, family and friends has been a priority this year, and during the week I practice yoga as often as I can.

WHO INSPIRES YOU IN THE CREATIVE FIELD OF HAIRDRESSING AND WHY?

With social media these days we are surrounded by inspiring creatives on the daily, but I am always inspired by the work of Renya Xydis, Sally Brooks and Trevor Sorbie to name a few. A lot of my inspiration these days comes from educating my junior team, their passion and excitement for the industry is always so contagious.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS TO YOU?

It has helped us create a strong brand image that is recognisable not only to our industry body but reaches consumers to and has helped to grow and attract likeminded creatives to our brand.

WHAT PRODUCT COMPANIES DO YOU PARTNER WITH AND WHY?

We are a full Wella salon at both locations. The support on a business level is better than any other brand I have dealt with, the colour range is reliable and always performs, they are progressive and the education and learning opportunities that they offer to help grow and develop my team and I are amazing.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO DURING YOUR TENURE AS A MEMBER OF THE HOT SHOTS TEAM.

Learning, Connecting & Growing!!!! Being a business owner we often get wrapped up in business life and the never ending to-do lists that come with that, that sometimes we don’t stop and do something for ourselves or step outside our comfort zones. I am excited to learn and grow with other like-minded creatives to help fuel my creative soul.

HOW HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR TEAM MOTIVATED DURING THE LAST 12 CRAZY 12 MONTHS?

It been challenging to say the least, especially when at times it’s been hard to keep moving forward and motivating myself. Team Culture has always been something I have focussed on heavily, so connecting outside of salon life has become more important. Bringing the focus back to the salon experience and client experience has been a huge focus and extremely rewarding as it’s the core reason why we all do what we do. The past 12 months have taught us as a salon community to enjoy a slower pace and more balanced work life whilst we can. But we are excited to jump on a plane and network at awards and expos as soon as we can.

SPEED DATE

WORST FASHION MOMENT

Way too many to remember, but somehow they all end up back in fashion so maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

WORST HAIR DAY

My Mum was a hairdresser in the 80’s so she used to experiment on me and my sisters when foiling started becoming popular.

FAV DESTINATION

Japan

FAV DRINK

Espresso Martini

IF YOU WEREN’T A HAIRDRESSER YOU WOULD BE A…..

I have never really thought about this, but I love the business side of what I do so definitely something in business development, and I love numbers too.

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MASSIMO TIRIMACCO’S BLUNT SCARLETT BOB TAKES THE WIN AT THE L’ORÉAL PROFESSIONNEL COLOUR TROPHY AWARDS 2020

1st Place and Marie Claire Readers Choice - Massimo Tirimacco, Zo Hair

Live stream Massimo Tirimacco

David Higgins, General Manager, Professional Products Division Australia New Zealand 2nd Place - Jessica Schofield, Cataldos Jessica

3rd Place - Evie Golding, Rokstar Salon

Brikelle Kerr and Rising Star Trophy The longest-running live hairdressing competition in the world returned for the 65th year last night as the search for Australia’s best colourist reached the Grand Final. The Awards brought together 15 finalists from across the country, all battling it out to be the 2020 L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final winner. Hosted by style icon, Melissa Leong, the esteemed competition has set the standard for the most coveted hairstyles of the year

From major waves to bold hair colours, L’Oréal Professionnel has officially coined the hairstyle we’ll be asking for in the salon this year. Massimo Tirimacco from Zohair in SA was crowned the 2020 L’Oréal Colour Trophy winner, for his blunt Scarlett bob, using an alternated mix of blonde and bronzy tones.

Judged on the execution of their colour placement, technique, colour choice and hairstyling, second place was awarded to Jessica Schofield from Cataldos in ACT, third place was awarded to Evie Golding from Rokstar Salon QLD and the Marie Claire Reader’s Choice Award was also given to Massimo Tirimacco from Zohair in SA. The evening’s festivities also saw the announcement of this year’s L’Oréal Rising Star award taken home by Brielle Kerr from Biba Salons in VIC.

For the first time ever, this industryexclusive event was held virtually and open to the public to watch online. With L’Oréal Professionnel’s flagship event in Melbourne being hosted by multifaceted foodie and certified style icon, Melissa Leong, the Awards delivered a night of glitz and glamour - pushing the boundaries of hair innovation and trends.

L’Oréal Colour Trophy Awards Host, Melissa Leong, said, “It has been a pleasure to be involved in such a long-running and prestigious event that celebrates the best of professional hair, colour and fashion. The calibre of talent here in Australia is most impressive.”

L’Oréal Professionnel General Manager, Cara Riley, said L’Oréal Colour Trophy is an awe-inspiring competition showcasing exceptional hairdressing talent nationwide. “We were so inspired by the creativity, fashion-forward styling and innovation demonstrated; it was almost impossible to select a winner. Congratulations to the incredible winners and thank you to all our Australian participants for making the 2020 event so memorable,” said Riley.

HAIR FESTIVAL

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Tickets to Hair Festival, the hairdressing industry event of the year, are now available via online registration. The highly anticipated event takes place over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend from June 13 to 14, 2021 at Sydney’s iconic Carriageworks venue.

Free tickets giving access to MarketPlace are available exclusively to members of the hairdressing industry via www.hairfestival. com.au. First release ticket pricing is now available for REALtalk, Festival Education Sessions and the much-anticipated Festival Wonderland. More ticket releases will be announced in the coming weeks.

The dynamic marketplace of bold industry innovations and must-have products is free to enter with this registration. At REALtalk and in the education rooms, sessions start at $55 per session, different options are available across the two days and a multitude of speakers.

Speaker names include celebrated educator Phill Nosworthy, social media expert James Fitzgerald and motivating industry leader Terry Hawkins. The event is supported by the Australian Hair Industry Awards (Creative), presented by Mocha Publishing, which take place on the night of June 14. It also partners with The Australian Hairdressing Council (AHC) and their Schmoozefest event, as well as environmental leaders Sustainable Salons. Networking events and hair competitions complete the agenda for the weekend’s festivities. Hair Festival can be followed on social, media at @hair_festival on Instagram and HairFestivalAustralia on Facebook, where consistent news and announcements, as well as community competitions for luxury prizes, are already updating. Additional speakers, Hair Festival events and brand partnerships will continue to be announced in the coming weeks.

The event offers attendees the opportunity to SHOP, LEARN, COMPETE and CONNECT during one dedicated weekend that has always belonged to the hairdressing industry. From 2021, this legacy will be maintained with modern, relevant activities and opportunities that will unite, propel and inspire the hair industry forward.

To register for Hair Festival visit www.hairfestival.com.au

Hair Festival is proudly owned by BHA Media and supported by the Australian Hair Industry Awards and mocha publishing