Conversations on colour: mario charalambous

Mario Charalambous is technical director at Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa, a role which sees him train, educate, mentor and manage his team, as well as tending to his loyal clientele. Mario also teaches at the L'Oreal Academies nationwide and judges major technical competitions such as the Colour Trophy. Mario 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 his life in colour. 1. What do you love most about being a colourist? I love the technicality of colouring and the ability to make a complete transformation. 2. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing professional colourists in 2015? The biggest challenge is staying ahead of consumer demand; social media makes the latest trends instantly accessible, as opposed to the good old days when trends took time to filter down the line through magazines and TV. 3. What do you think is the most exciting thing about being a colourist in 2015? The chemical advances and constant artistic challenge. 4. What colour trend or technique are you most excited about for 2015? I'm not one for big, bold, loud colour - I love all the bronde looks, and the new L’Oreal Professionnel Studio Lightening Oil which creates that no-fuss sun-lightened look is fab. 5. What one piece of advice would you give to trainee colourists who would love to be where you are now? It can be a tough, demanding job but it has massive rewards - keep on top of the latest trends, techniques, products and knowledge and that will allow you to be at the top of your game. What we do is an art but what you sell is an imitation.