A day in the life: karen hyam, colour technician

I get up around 7.15am and spend 45mins preparing my hair and make up and choosing my outfit for the day as I feel it's appropriate to look good and reflect the fashion-led industry we are in. I always have breakfast as you need to be set up for a long day ahead, especially if you're standing on your feet most of the time!

I work at and co-own Atelier Hairdressing and Beauty Rooms in Redbourn, St Albans. I live close by so I walk to work in the morning (weather permitting) as I find this time useful for helping make a plan for my day.

I arrive around 8.15am at the salon. I like to create atmosphere and ambience by lighting Neom candles and making sure the salon is clean, tidy and ready to greet clients. I spend most of my mornings during the week colouring my clients hair but I also teach the trainee members of our team in salon which I really enjoy.

Atelier is a boutique Salon situated in a converted listed building dating from the 1600s. We wanted to create a comfortable but luxurious feel for our clients as if they're visiting a friends home. Atelier is a colour specialist salon with our colour studio situated upstairs away from the main body of the Salon. Atelier prides itself on having highly skilled staff and combining couture Hairdressing with Bespoke beauty treatments.

Most of my afternoons are running a busy column of clients , I generally finish my last client around 4pm. I then spend time filling out and writing up my client record cards ready for their next visit. I always find time for a cup of tea and a biscuit after spending 7 hours standing on my feet!

The Salon closes most days between 6-6.30pm, but I like to spend some time after the salon closes catching up on paperwork.

If I finish work early enough I like to try and go to the gym and I go to yoga once a week but if it's late when I get back a lovely glass of red wine with my dinner is perfect.