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Why You Need To Be A Balayage Boss
Not only is Samantha Cusick a social media wizard when it comes to promoting her business, she’s become known as a Balayage Boss. Here, Samantha shares the reasons why you need to embrace balayage, and why it isn’t going anywhere.
Q: Why is balayage the perfect low-maintenance option for clients still unable to get to the salon?
A: Balayage really has been a blessing for clients at times when they’re unable to see their hairdressers, and it’s down to it being relatively low-maintenance. The way it seamlessly blends with a natural base colour means that clients aren’t left at the mercy of their regrowth – or those dreaded box colours.
Q: What at-home products should salons be advising clients to use to maintain balayage at home?
A: Even though balayage is a low-maintenance technique in the sense that it doesn’t require bi-monthly trips to the salon, it still requires that clients take care of it at home. I always recommend clients use Olaplex No3 every other week to ensure the condition of their hair is at its best. Healthy hair keeps its colour longer so it’s vital to maintain it for balayage clients – especially as they can be guilty of not getting their hair trimmed as regularly as perhaps they should! Also, as balayage is essentially a lightening service, it’s prone to the same fade and tone loss as highlight and bleach clients, meaning those beautifully blended lengths can turn brassy. That’s why it’s important that we educate clients on the benefits of colour corrective products. My favourites to recommend are Redken’s Blondage and Brownlights products, depending on the clients’ undertones. Here at Samantha Cusick London, we also offer a bespoke Olaplex No5 Mask. We blend pigments into the No5 that can neutralise, enhance or create a new tone in the hair, making it easier for clients to look after their hair colour at home.
Q: Can balayage work on any hair length?
A: The very nature of balayage means that it can be tailored to any individuals’ hair length, texture and style. As colourists we are able to paint the hair in ways that are unique to the client’s needs; whether that’s a heavier ‘money’ piece in the front for those who want to enhance curtain bangs, a soft subtle blend for the Rapunzels who just want to add dimension, or a higher blend for those wanting to blonde up their blunt bob.
Q: Any trends or changes for balayage in SS21?
A: I always find that clients are much more reactive to trends and inspiration they see on social media, and this is why balayage will have a firm place in SS21. It’s so easy to update the technique to suit any trend – or micro trend – whether that’s through heavy placement and bigger roots for a ‘90s lived-in look, a soft baby pink toner for a fantasy vibe or simply updating the toner to reflect the season’s must-have hazelnut or baby blonde.
Q: Why is balayage is so enduring?
A: I believe that clients continue to opt for balayage as it fits around the modern lifestyle of busy women. We’d all like to have the time to visit the salon every six weeks for four plus hours, but this isn’t practical for most. Between juggling careers, kids, a busy social life and a global pandemic, time to get our hair done can be a precious commodity. Balayage offers a way to have beautiful hair, painted by your colourist in a way that is specific to you and your hair. Plus, it looks chic every day in between salon visits with minimal maintenance.
Samantha Cusick on The Capital Cut
Have you listened to our podcast, The Capital Cut yet? Samantha Cusick is our first guest and in this episode she shares about how she opened her salon and why she’s embraced social media when it comes to promoting her business. Listen here and don’t forget to subscribe so you can keep up with all our episodes!
Freelance Focus
Freelance Focus, is a one stop resource for anyone working as a freelancer or thinking of going freelance in the hair & beauty industry, which includes a FREE downloadable guide filled with advice, useful insights, experiences and tips (from experienced freelancers) to help you understand the steps needed to make the right choices for you.
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Meet Sophie, owner of ‘Sophie’s Lashes & Beauty’ which she has been running now for over 7 years!
Sophie gained a wealth of experience working in the industry from her background working in prestigious 5 hotel & spa and salon settings which lead her up to starting a business of her own. We talk about all things beauty and the curved tweezers that she can’t live without!
Hi Sophie, tell us a little bit about your journey and how you go into the industry and what lead up to starting out on your own?
I gained a lot of knowledge from working in different settings from working with a big teams in a 5 star hotels and spas to smaller beauty salon environments. I gained so much knowledge from working in both settings and although it was hard work and long hours.
I started out by working in a few different 5 star hotels with spas and a salons where I gained all my knowledges and experiences from each one to put together for my own business! It was hard work and long hours all the practice paid off. It was actually one of my clients I saw regularly in the salon I worked at that said I should set up on my own and gave me the confidence to go self-employed and I’ve not looked back since!
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As professionals in the hairdressing industry, we're well aware of the constant innovation occurring in our field. Our clients love to dramatically alter their look with the ever-changing trends and we do everything we can to prioritise the health of their hair. Bond-building treatments have long been a staple in salons to address this need. However, allow us to present the latest advancement: biomimetic hair science and K18!
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For centuries, the haircare industry relied on cosmetic chemistry to conceal damage. Historical solutions like oils and conditioners were designed to sit on the surface of the hair, providing a temporary fix by improving its appearance and manageability. However, these solutions fell short of addressing hair's health at its core.
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Learn how to leverage K18 products in your salon services to reverse damage, fortify hair and enhance salon results all whilst boosting your salon profits. Discover our step-by-step instructions for every treatment, from lightening to styling in our handy salon go-to guide!
What is K18 and how does it work?
Following the natural structure of hair, the biologically active peptide is considered natural. Unlike traditional bonding agents, it is not rinsed away by water or shampoo, making K18 a genuine and enduring remedy for damaged hair. Healthy hair originates in the salon, and K18 believes its influence starts at the salon chair and radiates outward. While K18 is suitable for all hair types and services, the most significant improvements are seen in damaged hair.
From Money Worries to Family Drama: What's Stressing Your Skin & Hair the Most?
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And when stress creeps in, it's not just your mind that feels the burden – your skin and hair can take a hit too. Stress, whether it's a short-term or a long-term problem, can be detrimental to your body's health.
In fact, a recent survey by the UK’s largest independent supplier to hair and beauty professionals, Capital Hair and Beauty, revealed nearly half (42%) of the nation believe that stress has had a negative impact on their skin and hair health!
Last year, Brits faced their fair share of hair and skin woes.Topping the list was the recurring issue of dry skin, affecting a significant 29% of the population. Not too far behind was hair thinning/loss, troubling over a fifth (22%) of us, while acne and breakouts are also a cause for concern, affecting 19% of survey respondents. And let's not forget about skin inflammation (12%) and eczema (11%).
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Of course, the most modern way to wear a bob is the Bixie, a hybrid of the bob and pixie; think classic bob updated with a fringe or micro bangs, or you could play with the Butterfly Bob. RUSH Creative Director Andy Heasman’s a fan.
Skin Cycling 101
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Simple swaps this Veganuary
Start Small: It can be overwhelming to transition to fully vegan products overnight. One simple swap you can make is changing your hair brushes and combs to those made from natural materials such as bamboo (link to bamboo page) or wood. Not only are these products sustainable and eco-friendly, but they also help reduce static hair and promote healthy shine. Another easy swap for your salon or personal use is choosing cruelty-free and vegan nail polishes from brands like The Manicure Company. Ethically made and with an unwavering commitment to being a vegan and cruelty-free brand, Zero Gel Polish is widely available at our stores and comes in a vast array of colours. These small changes can make a big difference