Ken paves talks colorwow, celebs and client care

Ken Paves is more than just a celebrity stylist. He’s a philanthropist, author and, now, creative consultant for ColorWow. Brought to you by beauty innovator, Gail Federici, and internationally-acclaimed hairdresser, John Frieda, ColorWow is a complete range of care products for the more than 75% of women who have colour. The hero product in the range? Root Cover Up, a brush-on ‘colourist in a compact’ to disguise roots until the next visit. We caught up with Ken to find out more about his involvement in the range, celebrity clients and making it big in a competitive industry. How did your involvement with ColorWow come about? I met John several years ago at a charity event and we always stayed in touch. I’d been using eyeshadow for a long time to help celebrity clients cover their roots or fill in their hairline so that it looked great in red-carpet pictures and, when John came up with the idea for Root Cover Up, he asked if I’d trial it for him. I was flying to China with the Beckhams that day but they got me some samples over and I took them with me to trial. I used it on absolutely everybody on the team and we loved the results, especially the fact that it was waterproof. Where does the range sit in the market? I think it really is the first range that bridges the gap for clients between a salon-exclusive colour and at-home version. It’s not just about covering up roots, it also allows you to refresh highlights or even experiment with them. For example if you have a teenage client who isn’t sure about having colour, you can easily add a few highlights using the Root Cover Up. What would you say to those that don’t like the idea of clients being able to touch up their colour at home? I believe two things. First of all every client that leaves the salon should look their very best and, secondly, they should continue looking great until they come back for their next appointment. If a client says ‘oh, my hair never looks as good at home as it does when I leave you,’ then I’m not doing my job properly. I want them to have a great cut and colour, but also education in to how to use products correctly to recreate that look at home, themselves. Those clients aren’t going to stop coming to the salon, you’re just making their lives easier and making them feel great about themselves. What would you say to stylists starting out today who want to get into the world of celebrity and session work? Earn it. Work hard. It’s not quick and it’s not easy. When I started out, I cleaned for free – I climbed a ladder with a vacuum to do the job properly! I came in on my days off to tidy up the retail area, I washed all the towels… I did everything. We should never, ever forget that we are in a service industry and going into hairdressing because you think you’re going to be rich and famous is a bad idea. You need to love it and be willing to work hard. You work with Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria and many other huge stars who influence women’s style across the world. How does it feel when you see people in the street with a look that you know you gave Victoria on the red carpet the night before? It’s humbling! Favourite celebrity style? I love Diana Ross. Her hair and fashion in Mahogany are a constant inspiration and you can still her influence today in celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce. If you weren’t a hairdresser what would you be? I’d teach deaf children. I’m fluent in sign language and that’s what I originally trained to do. If your clients had to describe you in one word, what would it be? Funny, I hope. And kind.