November 12, 2010
by Valonz Top Colourist Christine Rowe back from London

Q. You’ve recently been to London, what were you doing there?
I assisted Susan Baldwin who’s been working alongside John Frieda for over 20 years and with Kerry Warn (Nicole Kidman’s hairdresser). Susan colours Claudia Schiffer’s hair amongst others.

Q. Did you bring any new colour techniques back with you?
Susan taught me tricks and twists that I never knew, including a whole new foil pattern! My clients are loving this new technique because I can still work with the wide range of blonde that foiling offers, while having the same soft and natural results as balliage. By using different starting point techniques it builds depth through to lightness with more on top and less underneath - it makes a much more natural look.

Q. What is the hot look in London at the moment?
It’s about subtle, natural hair with regrowth. Susan works by replicating young childrens hair with beautiful, sun kissed highlights. Enhancing what you have naturally rather than trying to be something that you’re not. The colours Susan achieves are stunning!

Q. What would you recommend to your clients at Valonz who want to achieve the new London look?
The client needs to have an eight to ten week regrowth before they’re able to achieve this colour. Essentially you’re ‘starting again’ and creating these natural tones through moving away from too much colour build up. I would then use a combination of colour techniques to create a personalised look for the client which would consist of balliage, foiling and smudging. I want my clients to enhance who they are naturally by achieving beautiful blondes that are suitable to them and their hair and skin tones.