Welcome to HJ's New Wave where we speak to up-and-coming stylists to find out what drives them, what's inspiring them and what they'd like to see change in the industry.
HJ's New Wave: Mel Brough a Senior Colour Technician in Rugeley
Salon/Co-working space: HX Hair
Location: Rugeley
Age: 28
Pronouns: she/her
IG: @mehlun
TikTok: @mehlunn
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education?
Definitely, when I said I wanted to be a hairdresser it wasn’t taken very well and they tried to push Sixth Form on me but I was like "no thank you". I’d already done work experience and it was set in stone for me.
What was your first job?
I didn’t really have one. I did a little bit of cleaning but this is still my first job - I’ve been here nearly 10 years.
Why did you become a hairdresser?
I wanted to make people feel good about themselves and I enjoy the creative aspect of it. I’d watched people on YouTube doing their own hair and always wanted to work with vivids but there wasn’t much representation of that in the industry. It wasn’t a thing back then but then I found this place (HX Hair).
What do you love about the industry?
The main thing for me is it feels like a big family, we support each other and understand how hard it can be. It’s such a rewarding job. I love seeing people’s faces at the end of their service, when they feel better about themselves and the boost they get to their confidence.
What would you like to change about the industry?
People looking down on hairdressers. It’s not just cutting hair. I'd like to change people’s attitudes outside of the industry. It is a lot better. After lockdown I feel like people definitely saw how much they needed us but there’s still a problem.
What’s your favourite hair creation?
I tend to follow a lot of the current trends so I really like the calico and neopolitan hair trends at the moment - I love chunky highlights.
Who inspires you in the industry?
Larisa Love - she’s really cool. She’s a girl boss. She has her own salon in LA and is an Artistic Director and brand ambassador. My boss, Heffy Wheeler, also inspires me. Her drive is insane, she has so much that she wants to do and I find that so inspiring, she never stops, it’s crazy. Simon Tuckwell, he’s really cool. I’m quite alternative myself so I feel like he’s brought that into his style and it’s not looked down on. He’s doing really well for himself.
Do you have any career goals?
I want to work with a few more brands - I have in the past and it was really fun. I want to do more photoshoots, more magazine work and more stage work. I’ve done a bit already and I'd love to do more of that.
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