Conversations on colour: amanda dicker

Amanda Dicker is co-founder of The Chapel group of salons, alongside husband Toby. As well as her creative prowess, Amanda is also a business guru having been named Business Director of the Year at HJ's British Hairdressing Business Awards. Amanda is also a member of the L'Oreal Professionnel 20:20 Colour Collective; an elite group of colourists from across the UK. Here, we find out more about her life in colour. 1. What do you love most about being a colourist? What I like most is that you can empower guest to move with the seasons. This means that they start to view hair colour as they do makeup, clothes or even their homes - as something with trends that change with the season. This pushes us, as colourists, to think why, how and what kind of colour we can use to make that happen. I also love taking our guests forward with us; I love sharing my knowledge so that we can have a conversation, rather than just me telling them what I'm going to do. 2. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing professional colourists in 2015? I wish all colourists would talk about the product they're using and what it can do for the guest. 3. What do you think is the most exciting thing about being a colourist in 2015? The most exciting thing for 2015 is that we can make hair look younger! 4. What colour trend or technique are you most excited about for 2015? The trend I love most in the summer, on all shades, is just to recreate on the hair what the sun does naturally. 5. What one piece of advice would you give to trainee colourists who would love to be where you are now? My advice is to learn the basics and then learn from your mistakes; don't let them stop you. Make sure you look at all the colours in your stock room too - they have been invented for a reason and a thorough knowledge will keep at the forefront of your game. Educate your guest all the time with the brands you are using and why.