Representing Respect For Hair, reporter Octavia was delighted to attend The Event by Sweet Squared in Birmingham this month. Here’s what she found:
The Event gave an opportunity to learn, network and celebrate our incredible industry. Professionals from all sectors of hair and beauty came together for two days of innovation, creativity and education. The Event offered much, including fantastic talks and workshops.
Keynote speaker: Pete Scott
The first keynote speaker Pete Scott, sales transformation mentor and creator of The Ultimate Sales Diploma. Pete talked about the importance and effect of selling transformations to salon clients. A few key takeaways for the audience: don’t just sell a product or a haircut; sell a transformation… sell the outcome. Don’t be cheap. Clients don’t want a cheap service after all. Don’t sell time and get into time-debt…this isn’t easy to get back and your time is valuable. One more important note, Pete says to remember that you are the expert and salon clients will value your opinion.
Kevin.Murphy Colour.Me Art.Lab
Next, Octavia dipped into the Kevin.Murphy Colour.Me Art.Lab. James Nicholson, artistic design director at Kevin.Murphy, took the audience through a runway hair colour report. James showed trending shades from buttery, glowing blonde to rich, vibey reds. One thing to note: Pantone’s colour of the year, Viva Magenta, is already appearing everywhere, so get used to it. This rich shade will surround and heavily influence clients. Viva Magenta will certainly be an in-demand shade in the salon all year round.
Caroline Kells, Colour.Me style master, took the audience through the Kevin.Murphy Colour.Me boosters. Caroline explained the purpose and effect of using different boosters. Boosters are intense and vibrant pure pigments which Caroline says represent primary colours. Key takeaways; you can use boosters in colour services to neutralise, personalise or intensify. If a client wants their hair to go blonder but it has already reached its colour limit, try a booster to brighten or intensify. The second part of the Art.Lab was more practical and a way for colourists to hone their skills and learn new techniques.
Inclusivity, creativity and how to stay relevant with Joe Mills
Octavia also attended an afternoon workshop: Inclusivity, creativity and how to stay relevant with Joe Mills. Renowned session stylist and salon owner Joe Mills discussed his start in the industry and his inclusive approach to running a salon business. Joe champions gender-neutral services, running his salon with a direct style. Joe invited three stylists from his team to join him on stage; Yas, Charlie and Frazer. Each stylist finished a look on a live model, presenting their finished look with a Kevin.Murphy product breakdown. Joe Mills says that he works with Kevin.Murphy because he loves the products and they work for him and his team. 
Each brand that took part in The Event had a station where guests could explore new products and see what each has to offer across hair, nails and beauty. From Sweet Squared Hair: Kevin.Murphy, Showpony, Epres and Sachajuan.
Certainly there was a lot to see, hear and learn. Thank you to the team at Sweet Squared for hosting such an exciting Event.
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