If you’ve ever struggled to attract the right colour clients or wondered why your Reels aren’t converting, you’re in the right place. Nancy Stripe, the queen of grey blending and a go-to expert in modern colour techniques shares her top colour pet hates and exactly how Reels can transform your client bookings. From avoiding the most common colour mistakes to using short-form video to showcase your expertise, Nancy reveals the simple shifts that help stylists build trust, increase visibility, and convert viewers into loyal clients. Whether you’re a colourist, salon owner, or educator, these insights will elevate your content and your client list.
What do you love most about being a colourist?
The fact that I have been in this industry for 24 years and it’s still evolving – I’m still learning. The moment I feel like I know everything will be the time for me to stop! My career has pivoted so many times, and it’s the ever-changing colour landscape that allows it to do so.
What is the most important question you ask during colour consultation?
How do you feel about your hair right now? Hairdressing is all about feeling – reading someone’s emotions as they speak about how they look can steer the outcome.
What colour trends are you glad to see the back of?
Vivids! Sorry to all the vivid fans out there, but it’s not my cup of tea and never has been.
Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?
Rose gold was a great colour era, at one point I was doing one every day, and it worked so well with brunettes and blondes. The great thing these days is that you can bring something back easily on your social media. It is so powerful that trends can pop up with gentle persuasion over a few weeks on socials.
What are the challenges facing colourists right now?
Costs. Profit margins are at an all-time low, wages have risen, products are so expensive and yet even the most premium of stylists don’t feel like they can charge enough (particularly when you are outside of London). I think we are making progress with the help of people like Maddi Cook, but the whole industry needs to start charging their worth.
What do you think will be the next big colour trend?
It’s already on the radar for 2025 forecasts, but I will say this louder for the people at the back… GREY BLENDING! It comes in all shapes, sizes and hair types, and you can get as creative as your right brain will allow. Not only that, but you will be liberating women and spreading body positivity.
What colour techniques are you known for?
It started with balayage and lived-in colour and organically progressed into grey blending. I still offer skin-first colouring techniques in salon, making my clients' colour work best for their skin tone, but on socials, the content that hits the mark is grey blending (these types of Reels have hit millions of views over my socials). It’s new to a lot of people, and I have been developing techniques for 8 years. It’s just one of the key messages I teach in my Lived-In courses, check out my link in bio for details!
What colour creation makes you most proud?
When I liberate people from the monthly slog of white roots and get them to see the beauty of their natural hair, layered with some organic colouring. It’s a journey and can take me anything from 8 months to 2 years for completion, but the reward is incredible, and these clients will be the most loyal ones you will have in your chair.
What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?
Find the best colourist in your salon and soak them up! The best way to learn is to watch and then recreate. I used to use my free time to upskill and create content (before socials, I worked in a makeover studio and used it to my advantage as much as possible!).
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a colourist?
Own your mistakes. The most talented colourists I know would never let a client walk out unhappy, and I think it makes you seem even more of a perfectionist when you spot a mistake and offer to fix it before they have to send the dreaded text.
#COLOURINSPO
1. Power Couple
This photo represents a pivotal moment in grey blending where white hair was not just accepted, but celebrated. I showcased two of my clients at L’Oréal Professionnel’s SUMMIT LIVE in a tailored, editorial catwalk show and seminar.
2. Copper Blush
This look epitomises my ‘skin-first’ colouring approach. This client never escapes without a photo - treasure clients who photograph well as they can create endless content opportunities.
3. Butter Blonde
During a social media presentation, I showcased some simple basin painting techniques and proved how a seasonal tonal refresh can boost profits and engagement.
