It’s the British Hairdressing Awards tonight when Leeds-based British Hairdresser of the Year Robert Eaton defends his crown

As chief ambassador for the British hairdressing industry in 2020, Robert Eaton has had his work cut out. And he has taken on the role with characteristic enthusiasm, care and diligence.

Being photographed armed mainly in a protective visor was perhaps not the image he originally had in mind for his 12-month reign as British Hairdresser of the Year, but there it is, and he does not seem to mind.

“It’s a huge honour and a responsibility,” he says. “It’s not just about your own brand or image. You are a voice for the hairdressing industry, so I have really loved the opportunity to do that.”

It was important to make sure the public could see and understand all the hard work hairdressers had put in to making their salons as Covid-safe as possible. So, as creative director of Russell Eaton – founded 40 years ago by his father and with salons in Barnsley and Leeds, Robert, inset, duly donned his visor and became the industry spokesman on TV and in the press.

Tonight,Robert’s current reign comes to an end when the Hairdresser’s Journal British Hairdressing Awards 2020 take place, this year not at their usual Grosvenor House Hotel venue, but online. The Oscars of the salon world, they have sky-rocketed the careers and brands of top names including John Frieda, Charles Worthington and Nicky Clarke. Yorkshire’s Mark Hill won in 2000 and 2003 and Andrew Barton won in 2006, so Robert brought the title back to the county for the first time in 13 years. And he has been nominated again this year.

Meanwhile, the second lockdown came at a critical time for hairdressers. “Traditionally, the Christmas period carries us through January and February,” he says. When salons reopen on Wednesday, December 2, customers may have to be patient and understanding, although longer hours are planned to get everyone in. “Some people might not even think about Christmas in the same way – a lot of people get their hair done for socialising,” he says, adding: “I think people see hairdressing and beauty very much as a treat and an experience now. It’s something people look forward to, not necessarily because they are going anywhere but because they want to make themselves feel better and look better at what is a pretty flat time.”

Customers are now looking for longevity of colour and style, and grey blending is a growing trend. “What we have been finding – and this is not just Covid – is that people want a plan and a journey with their hair,” Robert says. “So someone has balayage, for example, which has been a massive trend for the last ten years plus, but it has become much more refined and about combinations of techniques on the same head of hair that means that you get high impact colour but something that grows out in an amazing way as well.

“The overall vibe with hair at the minute is much more about more lived-in, more natural looks that represent the times that we are in at the moment. Anything that embraces natural texture, working with curls and natural movement.”

One positive, he says, of the pandemic is the way that the hairdressing industry has pulled together and shared ideas and experiences across the country and the world. “We wanted to make sure we could all survive it and get through to the other side.”

Another positive is that customers, regular and occasional, have realised how much they appreciate their hairdresser. “People rang us before going back to shops or going for a meal. They wanted to come and see us straight away to make themselves look and feel better,” he says.

As for British Hairdresser of the Year 2020, he is delighted to be nominated once more. “I’d love to be able to bring it back to Yorkshire again. I’m proud to be part of the line-up but I want to keep it in the North,” he says, adding with a grin: “Too many southern hairdressers won it for a long time.”

Robert Eaton’s Christmas Zoom hair solutions

Wella Color Fresh Masks, £15.70 – a hair conditioning mask that colours hair, temporarily, in 10 minutes, in a variety of shades shades from classy Pearl Blonde to daring Rose Blaze.

Hot Tools Professional Black Gold Volumiser Set – it’s £129.99 at www. uk.hottools.shop and salons including Russell Eaton in Leeds and Barnsley. Perfect for a makeover in a hurry, hair does not need to be washed first.

The Yorkshire regional category nominees

Three top Yorkshire hairdressers, two nominated for North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year and one for North Western, give their hair trend and Christmas hair advice.

Emma Simmons of Salon 54 in Thirsk: Emma says, “To reach the BHA finals for the second year running is unbelievable. I don’t think I stopped crying all afternoon when I heard the news. I’ve really noticed a change in people this year – 2020 has impacted many people’s mental health, so I’m looking forward to getting back into the salon and helping boost staff morale and give clients that feelgood factor.”

Emma, added that easy ways to support your favourite salon include buying your haircare and gift sets from it and recommending your salon to others.

Emma has the following at-home hair tips: Try taking away your parting to hide regrowth from colour, and if you really feel the need to disguise the regrowth, avoid home colouring and invest in a simple root cover-up spray – easy to apply and they wash straight out. Don’t be tempted by the kitchen scissors. Clip back long fringes or sweep them to one side creating a softer look to see you through.

If you’re working from home, now is the opportunity to give your hair a break from heat styling. Use a moisturising deep treatment once a week to rejuvenate and repair.”

Ross Charles of Ross Charles in York: Ross says, “It is such a great feeling that my work is recognised by the hair industry.

“The second lockdown for me seems to be running with a lot more organisation. We know what to expect this time. Running the company still means lots of work, lots of planning in place for new services in the salon and, of course, extra staff training.”

He advises against cutting and colouring your own hair. “When we returned from the first lockdown, hairdressers had many cases to sort out from clients who had tried to do it themselves,” he says. “Root touch-up spray is great for masking greys.”

Ross’s Christmas hair tips: “ I suggest natural texture, grungy vibes, bold colours and hair accessories. If you fancy going glam then shiny and bouncy waves will be a good idea.

“On Zoom you can only see the front, so I wouldn’t suggest doing an updo at the back. If you have done some nice long waves, bring all of the hair to the front to where it’s more visual.”

Marcello Moccia and Karen Perry of Room 97 Creative, Wakefield and Leeds, are nominated for North Western Hairdresser of the Year.

Marcello says: “Christmas for 2020 is like we have never experienced before. Parties and large gatherings may be put on hold - but that doesn’t mean we can’t add some glamour and glitz to our day. Accessories are key to adding embellishment to the hair - a simple Alice Band, or bejewelled hair grip can instantly add a glamorous and sophisticated style. If we can’t go to the party, then bring the party to your hair by adding some simple waves and shine to hair.”

Other Yorkshire nominees include: Rick Roberts of Rick Roberts Hair in Beverley, for Afro Hairdresser of the Year category and for North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year. The nominees for HJ’s 2020 British Hairdresser of the Year are: Darren Ambrose, Richard Ashforth, Sally Brooks, Errol Douglas, Robert Eaton, Gary Hooker & Michael Young, Adam Reed, Cos Sakkas, Angelo Seminara, Eugene Souleiman.

The British Hairdressing Awards take place on Monday, November 30, and this year there will be a live streamind, so see https://www.hji.co.uk/british-hairdressing-awards-sponsored-by-
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