Robert Eaton reflects on his favourite work and discusses the dilemma younger clients are posing...
What do you love most about being a colourist?
I love how you can completely change the way someone looks and feels about themselves with the use of colour and the way you can transform a cut by incorporating colour.
What is the most important question you ask in a colour consultation and why?
I always ask questions about their lifestyle and what kind of maintenance they’re looking for from their colour.
What colour trends are you pleased to see out of fashion?
Actually, I feel as an industry we’re in such a good place now where trends and results are combined with high skill levels and ultimate respect for the hair’s integrity, making it possible to create beautiful and progressive results.
Are there any colour trends you’d like to bring back?
I’m a fan of the boldness of some of the shapes, colours and textures achieved in the 80s and beyond colour, I would love to see the return of perming – our industry needs something new to drive a younger generation to salons.
What are the challenges facing colourists right now?
The younger generation are leaving six months between appointments rather than visiting every 6-8 weeks. This makes it hard to build a relationship with them, and in turn younger clients are much more transient, opting for stylists they see on social media, for example.
What do you think will be the next big colour trend?
Ultra-natural, super glossy hair, as
well as texture-embracing and colour-enhancing services.
What colour techniques are you known for?
Beautiful, commercial colour with a technique-led twist. My heart is always in salon life so usable and client-friendly hair is always important to me.
What colour creation makes you most proud?
My British Colour Technician of the Year collections – I’ve been lucky enough to win this three times and I still love each of those collections.
What advice would you give to a trainee colourist?
Enjoy this learning time – it’s the most exciting stage of your career!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from being a colourist?
Keep evolving and learning as our industry can change quickly, always keep on top of what is happening, keep one eye on the now and always look to the future as well.
Keep scrolling to see Rob's work and find out about his inspiration...
As a colourist this really represents the technique and time needed to produce a global scalp lightener on very dark hair and the beauty in how that looks.
IT'S ALL ROSY
My signature marbling technique; I've perfected this over the years to create a seamless blend of tones. It works really well over the surface layer of a bob.
SEAMLESS MARBLING
This is one of my favourite images and represents the vivid colour but also a texture that is fun and creative to achieve.
BOLD AND BRIGHT
Colour looks so different within different textures and this is an example of the beauty of working with blondes and showcases layering tones on lightened hair.
TEXTURE TALKS
