Mellissa Brown Q&A
Having started hairdressing at 16, Mellissa Brown is a veritable hair guru with a wealth
of celebrity clients. Here she shares her tips for breaking into the industry, predicts
the biggest hair trends of 2010 and lets us in on the world of celebrity styling.
What does it take to become the Nation’s Favourite Hairdresser? What
specifically are you looking out for?
The winner of the Nation’s Favourite Hairdresser Awards is someone who goes above and
beyond and has a special relationship with their clients. We will be looking for someone
who really takes the time to listen to and understand their client and makes them feel
irresistible every time they leave the salon.
Is technical ability or a hairdressers’ relationship with their client more
important?
A great hairdresser should have both technical ability and good people skills – it really
is about the whole package! For the Nation’s Favourite Hairdresser Awards we are searching
for a special relationship, which makes the awards unique, but they also need to be a great
stylist too.
What was the hairstyle of the last decade?
I really love the classic bob - you just can’t beat it!
What do you think will be the main hair trends of 2010?
We are definitely seeing a return of the 80s trends so volume, quiffs and bobs are going
to be big! In the summer months I think we will see lots of layers, with long face
framing fringes playing a big part in 2010.
What are your must-have styling products to create fashion-forward
looks?
To keep on top of the fashion-forward looks your hair needs to look really healthy so
it’s essential to use a great shampoo and conditioner. I recommend my clients use
head&shoulders Hydrating Smooth and Silky shampoo and conditioner as it keeps your
hair looking glossy and touchably soft. A professional hairdryer and styling tools such
as tongs and irons are really important too as they make styling easy and quick.
Would you like to launch your own product range?
At the moment I love working with head&shoulders. My dream would be to one day have
my own product range, I know exactly what I would want to have!
What is your advice for a salon hairdresser wanting to make the move to styling
for fashion weeks and magazines?
If you want to get into editorial work you need to find a successful stylist whose work
you love and then try to assist them. I would recommend doing test shoots to get your
book together and see some agents so you know what they are looking for.
Your celebrity client list includes Emma Willis and Take That. How does styling
hair for celebrities differ from styling for consumers?
Styling celebrities is no different to styling a regular client. I always want to make
each of my clients feel special and look their best, so I would say that I treat everyone
the same.
Which celebrity would you most like to style and what would you do with their
hair?
I would love to style Angelina Jolie and give her a great new cut! She has such an amazing
face and anything would work on her so you could try something really new!
Aside from the Nation’s Favourite Hairdresser, what else do you have
planned for 2010?
2010 is going to be a really busy year! There are lots more head&shoulders events, I
am doing promotion work with McFly, more editorial and hopefully some nice trips abroad
squeezed in too!
Celebrity hairstylist Mellissa Brown is the UK ambassador for head&shoulders and one
of the judges of the Nation’s Favourite Hairdresser Award, which takes place on April 22.