Jamie Stevens has fast established a well-deserved reputation as one of the nation’s most successful and talented hairdressers. His enviable CV includes owning two eponymous salons, having worked with celebrities such as Elle Macpherson, Kylie and Myleene Klass and being chosen as hairdresser of choice on TV shows including This Morning, Gok’s Fashion Fix, as well as being the official X Factor Hairdresser for the past two years transforming acts like Misha B, Little Mix, Ella Henderson, Union J and James Arthur.
His talent and flair for hairdressing has led to him twice being awarded the British Hairdressing Awards Men’s Hairdresser of the Year Award, the Clothes Show Live Celebrity Hairdresser of Year 2010, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Ambassador of the Year 2010, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Media Personality Award 2012 and last year receiving his first nomination for British Hairdresser of the Year, making him one of the youngest ever contenders for the industry’s most esteemed accolade.
What made you want to be a hairdresser and who were your role models when you were learning the trade?
My dad was a professional footballer and I actually started out following in his footsteps. However a serious injury put paid to this ambition, so my other natural interest was in hairdressing as my mother, grandmother and great-grandfather were all hairdressers and I had always helped out in the salon. So when I could no longer play football professionally, I decided to give hairdressing a go and so it’s safe to say my Mum was a big role model for me when learning the trade.
With so many accolades in your career so far, what is your proudest moment in hairdressing and what ambitions do you have for the rest of your career?
I have to say being nominated for the British Hairdresser of the Year Award was definitely a proud moment in my career, especially being one of the youngest ever to be nominated in the awards history. My ambition is to actually win it! Also, I would like to continue to develop successful salons and keep growing my amazing team.
I’m doing a hairdressing course and finding it hard to come up with new and different styles, any tips please Jamie?
Do your research, it’s key to keep looking through the catwalks to see what the current trends are. Look on style leading websites such as Style, Vogue, Dazed & Confused etc. Look through trade and consumer hair magazines to see what others are doing in the world of hair and look around you on the street in hip areas such as East London to get inspiration.
How do these celebs like Madonna and Tulisa go from coloured dark hair to a beautiful ‘clean’ platinum blonde? Is it all extensions?
No it’s not necessarily extensions all the time. It’s very hard to transform hair from very dark to very light so it helps if you can progressively do this over a specific time frame rather than in one go. However, if you are have to do it quickly, it’s important to keep using treatments, porosity balancers and protein treatments to preserve the hair’s condition.
Jamie talks to the X Factor team backstage
What style trends do you predict for the holiday season?
The party season trends will naturally bring out more updos and hair will remain elegant and soft with subtle variations from super polished to more undone looks with texture. Buns and topknots remain a key trend and are simple, yet effective. Also braids, plaiting, twisted and knotted looks are also key trends that will look fabulous throughout the party season.
My ultimate goal would be to work on stage/television hair – what tips can you give about achieving this goal and how did you go about raising your profile?
Hard work! To move into the stage & TV work is a lot of graft. The best tip is to go to as many shows as possible & learn from watching. Then when an opportunity comes up, jump at it! You have to be available at a moment’s notice and be willing to work unsociable hours and long days. Things like the FAME team & British Hairdressing Awards can be a great way to raise your profile, but to get there you have to really want it.
What inspired you when you first qualified as a stylist?
Seeing all the huge icons of the industry win awards and establish brands made me want to move and progress to hopefully be like them one day. Now, I am inspired by the drive and energy of my two salon teams. Their passion and dedication reminds me of when I was in their position and keeps me focused on achieving more.
We’d like to thank Jamie for agreeing to take part in Ask the Expert. If you have any more questions for him why not ask him directly at @jamiestevens7
