Lloyd Court, Creative Director at seanhanna Salons in Wimbledon, shares expert insights into colour, technique, and creative hair trends.
What do you love most about being a colourist?
I’ve always loved colouring hair, I think it gives you such a freedom to be creative; I adore seeing how tones melt and work together and how much confidence it gives a client.
What is the most important question you ask in a colour consultation?
The most important question is to understand your client’s commitment level and budget - then being upfront and honest about what’s achievable within that range for them.
What colour trends are you pleased to see out of fashion?
I am so glad to see the back of the ultra-grey, ashy trend we saw in 2015/2016. I recently just made a TikTok about this and it went viral with so many other colourists agreeing!
Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?
Sadly post-Covid, I think we’ve seen a lot less curiosity around colour; creative toning and vivids have taken a backseat to lived-in colour. I would like to see more creative colours and placements be brought back into fashion.
What are the challenges facing colourists right now?
Clients watching techniques online and trying to play hairdresser! We have to work much harder to remain in control of what we are doing behind the chair so clients know that we are in charge.
What do you think will be the next big colour trend?
The next big colour trend we are going to see is for sure creative panelling, it’s been hinted at a few times by big brands and we are noticing people going for more obvious and stark colouring patterns.
What colour techniques are you known for?
Well, in the salon I am known for creating beautiful, blended colour that looks like it grew out of the head. Creatively I am known more for pushing boundaries, mixing opposing tones and working with weight lines and panels to accentuate the model’s look.
What colour creation makes you most proud?
I am proud every day of creating beautiful results for my clients, and ultimately this is what gives me the drive to continue being a colourist! But I am particularly proud of my last collection, RAW, which delves into looking at raw lift and undercoat as something unique and beautiful.
What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?
Get as much education as you can! And I don’t just mean online - go to courses and watch and learn. Don’t be afraid to try new techniques, I am always learning and even the other day used a different colouring pattern I learnt from an online course. You never know everything. Also, make sure you learn the rules for the colour lines you’re working with!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a colourist?
Understanding how much a colour can change the way someone looks. If you choose the wrong depth and tone, it can dramatically change the way the client looks! Also, if you make a mistake, and you know you have – just fix it there and then. I promise its easier that way and it builds trust with a client so much better.
#COLOURINSPO
1. Raw
This image is from my Raw collection, which was based on utilising natural lift and raw undercoat in simple ways to convey beauty and radiance. Using panels, I wanted to create an interesting result that could be seen in colour and in black and white.
2. Getting Fruity
I’ve always loved Fruit Salad sweets and the mixture of orange and pink is one of my favourite colour combinations, I think they complement each other perfectly!
3. Blonde Ambition
This blonde client just embodies everything I love about blonde; a beautiful face frame and gorgeous, baby blonde with a soft root.
