Five minutes with: l'oréal id artist isobel mcdonald

Currently working as an Art Director at John Carne, Isobel McDonald has always had a passion for hair. 'I love creating different looks and shapes, it’s a very special feeling giving someone the uplift and self confidence that you get from feeling great about your hair.'

A keen member of the L'Oréal I.D artist programme, we caught up with her to find out the best things about being a L'Oréal ID Artist.

What does being an ID artist mean to you?

Being a part of the L’Oreal I.D team has been one of the best education experiences of my career so far. I have been so inspired by the whole experience, it's given me the opportunity to work alongside people who share the same passion and creative drive as myself. I have developed my skills not only as a stylist, but as a person. I have also enjoyed sharing my creativity with the rest of the I.D team.

 As a development program, how has this enabled you to grow?

This year I have gained confidence being a part of hair shows and seminars. I've learnt some really useful tips that have helped me enhance my presentation skills. I've also really enjoyed meeting people and making new friends and colleagues, and I look forward to working alongside them as my career progresses. I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to be taught as well as work alongside some really amazing stylists.   

From your recent trip to Barcelona, you saw up and coming trends, what were you most influenced by?

The trip to Barcelona was such an inspirational experience, Ken Picton’s Spring/Summer collection “All Around the Curl” was a massive influence for me, I felt it was bringing back the basic fundamental techniques. Ken created a brilliant collection of tight curls using perm rods which shows how older techniques can become modern and current once again.    

What other ID artist are you most influenced by and why?

Everyone on the I.D team has influenced me in individual ways, but Lloyd from Sean Hanna has a particular drive. He is extremely passionate and persistent in furthering his knowledge of colour. I feel that I have the same passion and drive to learn everything there is to know about styling hair. But the best thing about hairdressing is that there is always something new to learn.

See more stories in the Future Talent section.