International colour expert Jack Howard has teamed up with the iconic heritage brand Denman to create a fantastic range of precision colour tools to help professional stylists increase accuracy and precision when performing colour services on their clients. Here, we’ll be taking a look at the new precision colour kit, as well as taking a deep dive behind the scenes with a Q&A with Jack himself.
The Art Of Precision Colouring With Jack Howard & Denman
Introducing The New Precision Colour Tint Brushes
The humble tint brush has been re-designed and re-thought. The new patented tint brush from Jack Howard and Denman uses ‘Temple Technology’ as its USP.
Sound intriguing? Temple Technology uses high-quality synthetic bristles that are accurately angled to create a narrow and long-lasting tip – ideal for detailing and precise colour application. Whatsmore, the bristle length and unique angle design enable the brush to hold on to just the right amount of colour without overloading the brush.
“The three brushes all aid and improve the application of colour. The large brush helps speed up large paints, glazing and toning. The width and length of the bristles mean you can apply a good amount of product to a wide area. However, the design and ergonomics mean it is straightforward to control, so even though you are applying to large sections, you can still be precise.” – Jack Howard
Denman’s Precision Colouring Brushes come in three sizes:
- Small for detailing and micro-Balayage.
- Medium for classic Balayage, re-touching and highlights.
- Large for panel colouring, pasting, and glazing.
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Precision Colour Kit Balayage Board
Like what you’ve read so far? Well, there’s more! An integral part of Denman’s Precision Colouring Kit is the Balayage Board, which was designed using Jack’s extensive experience and skill as a Balayage artist.
Designed to be ambidextrous, the double-sided Balayage Board has textured and smooth panelled areas. The smooth side is a palette for holding colour and blending, while the textured side is designed to securely hold sections of hair for detail colouring.
“Use free-hand detailing to tide clients over. If a client does not have the time for a full application, you can paint a few singles in the parting and around the hairline that will help the colour last a few extra weeks.” – Jack Howard
Precision Colour Kit Mixing Brush
The Denman Precision Colouring tool kit also includes a dedicated Mixing Brush exclusively for mixing and preparing colours, leaving the Precision Brushes solely for the technical work, avoiding splaying and prolonging the brushes’ pristine condition.
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The Denman Precision Colouring tools come as a complete kit that includes the Precision Brushes, the Balayage Board, and the Mixing Brush. The Precision Brushes are available as a set or individually.
Q&A With Jack Howard
Jack Howard is the Schwarzkopf Professional’s Global BLONDME Ambassador and is based at the prestigious Paul Edmonds salon in London’s Knightsbridge. Having won countless awards and with a client roster including Abbey Clancy, Gillian Anderson, Mollie King, Vanessa Kirby and more, you could say Jack knows a thing or two about the business of hair.
Tell us about Denman’s new precision colouring tools and how did you get involved?
I have been frustrated for years with how bad colouring brushes are and finally gave up the hunt for a decent one, so I decided to design one myself. I went to Denman with a design concept including a 3D print of the handle and a clear idea of what I did and did not need from a colouring brush.
What is so special about the new balayage board you helped to design for Denman?
Two things: one the handle is comfortable to hold for all hand sizes and it can also be used by left or right-handed people. And functionality-wise, it was developed by a colourist for colourists, so it’s practical and functional.
Aside from the product, how critical are tools for the 2021 colourist?
Beyond critical – absolutely essential! Colour is no longer just a tint or a set of foils, it is all-encompassing and super detailed, highly technical skill. Haircutters have high precision scissors, and so it is about time colourists had precision tools for their craft too.
How do you see the evolution of balayage techniques since you started using them until today?
When I started in Balayage over 20 years ago the aim was super soft and very natural results. Now we see it used for a whole spectrum of results, from incredibly delicate fine paints to strong and heavy panels and colours; so, we need tools that can deliver this vast array of results.
What do you value the most about your job as a colourist?
All of it! I am so lucky; my world of colour is super-fast paced. I have an amazing clientele in the salon, I do shoots and campaigns plus I get to teach all over the world. I love every second of it.
As a colour educator, what is the most challenging thing to teach?
The challenge is to make sure that whatever I teach, reflects my core values and that I keep my education clear and simple to understand. And of course, what I teach is relevant and has commercial value.
A colour trend you would like to see come back is…
Cap highlights as they are so satisfying to watch being removed on Instagram… I’m joking! No seriously, I don’t think we need to see anything ‘come back’ per se; it’s just great to see traditional techniques grow and evolve into something fresh.
How did your journey with colour begin?
It began as an apprentice 30 odd years ago but it was only when I went to work in the states in 1993 that I saw the potential for a career in colour. That is when my fantastic career in colour really began.
What is your favourite colouring technique at the moment?
Balayage all the way.
Share with us unforgettable colour advice
Learn from your mistakes – don’t be defined by them.
What do you think the future of colour is?
It is going to get even better with more detailed and tailored techniques, greater technological development in products and tools and more widespread availability of good quality education. Certainly not a return to basics, thank goodness!
SHOP DENMAN AND JACK HOWARD PRECISION COLOUR KIT
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