Rob is Creative Director of Russell Eaton salons in Yorkshire and a two-time winner of the British Hairdresser of the Year trophy which top a very long list of awards clocked up over the last 19 years. Rob’s voracious appetite for learning has embraced all aspects of hairdressing and trichology and he constantly pushes himself to achieve more, for himself, for his business and for the industry.
How would you describe your journey to becoming British Hairdresser of the Year (twice!)?
My family’s love for the industry fuelled me to seek out the extracurricular from day one, entering competitions and attending events in order to build my profile, expand my vision, and grow my professional network of peers and mentors. Hard work paid off, and I secured a place on the Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s F.A.M.E. Team and enjoyed a series of award wins at acclaimed competitions including the L’Oréal Colour Trophy and British Hairdressing Awards before being named British Hairdresser of the Year twice!
What does it actually feel like to win the title?
It is the most incredible honour to be crowned British Hairdresser of the Year for the second time! At the beginning of my career, as an apprentice in my dad’s salon, I couldn’t have dreamed of winning it twice. Hearing my name being called out was a real ‘pinch me’ moment and one I will never forget!
How valuable have competition wins been to your salon business?
It has always been a part of our salon culture and business decision to enter competitions and to get our name known in the industry. Initially it’s harder to be taken seriously or was as that particular time than if you worked in London or the South, so by entering competitions and winning competitions it kind of gets your name known and out there within the industry and the press and obviously from a client perspective that actually drives people towards your salon. Clients started travelling from all over to come to us and we didn’t have to rely on our local client base. The culture also builds creative stylists and creative hairdressers become happier and more loyal and more profitable people within our business.
You have great strength in diverse textures. What type of hair and style do you love creating most?
This is a difficult one because I like all hair textures and all hair types and actually the fact that we have got such a diverse mix of talented stylists in the salon that cater for all hairdressing needs means that actually we are always inspired by different things we see in the salon as well. For me I think because texture, curl and movement has been a big thing now for quite some time I really love working with curl and texture and actually there’s quite a skill to being able to cut curly and textured hair really well. I’m even really loving working with perm again. I still love some of the classic shapes, I am enjoying seeing a slight return to short haircuts in the salon and I hope that’s something that continues as we go into Autumn/Winter.
What advice would you offer to a professional hoping to bag the big title one day?
Stay true to what kind of work you like, develop your own style, get to know people in the industry, develop your relationships – don’t rely just on social media, you’ve got to get yourself out there and meet people and also just get involved in as many different aspects of the industry as possible. For me, when I first started in the industry I always set myself a goal of wanting to get nominated and eventually win but actually when I did get nominated I’d been a hairdresser for quite a number of years and I just thought well if it happens at some point that’s amazing but equally I was enjoying every aspect of what I was doing in my career at that point anyway. A lot of things had led up to this point but I think just enjoy the journey and experience of exploring everything the industry can offer as well.
Follow @robertjeaton Web russelleatonhair.com.
Credits
HARMONY
In turbulent times, there is beauty to be found in embracing simplicity. This desire for clarity is at the heart of our Harmony collection. It is free from artifice and stripped back, to focus purely on the craft of hairdressing. This is hair that is understated, and which maintains the integrity of each model, while enhancing their authentic beauty. The images bring to life our brand ethos of gorgeous, modern hair and expert craftsmanship, while representing the diversity of hairdressing and the beauty of every woman.
Hair – Robert Eaton
Photography – Richard Miles
Make up – Lucy Flower
Styling – Clare Frith
REFLECT
HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards (sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional)
British Hairdresser of the Year Winning Collection
This collection represents the best of modern hairdressing and a vision for the bright future of the craft; a world in which diversity is embraced and fresh concepts of beauty are celebrated. Building on this idea of inclusivity, the images seek to showcase each muse’s individuality through cut, colour and styling with bespoke looks chosen to bring to life facets of their personality and personal aesthetic. Bathed in prismatic light, the images also serve as a reminder that there’s light at the end of the tunnel and my own personal optimism for the future of our industry.
Hair – Robert Eaton
Photography – Richard Miles
Make up – Lucy Flower
Styling – Clare Frith
For more information about Robert Eaton, please contact Hannah Bevan at LWPR, hannah@lwpr.biz, 01858 419 668.
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