“I don’t have a life outside of hair…its my career, my hobby and my obsession,” Michael Been admits to us. The Creative Director of Buoy Salon and Spa is one of New Zealand’s most sought after editorial stylist in the magazine business.When he first started his apprenticeship in a small salon in a small city, he was still “was hungry for more”. He want on to great things, from establishing a name for himself, joining the L’Oreal Professional Artistic Team to becoming a leading educator and session artist and many more.The award-wining hairdresser share his knowledge and experience in the artistic, ever-changing hair industry.
Michael, can you share a brief summary of your career and your recognition in the hair industry? Where did you train, and did you ever think you were destined to be in the hair industry?
I never started out wanting to be a hairdresser. I was studying marketing and Psychology at University and l got offered a part time job making cups of tea and washing hair in a local salon…wanting more beer money, l said yes and ended up loving the feeling of making people feel better about themselves and the creative environment. After a few months, l rang Mum and dad and told them l was dropping out of Uni, much to their disgust and then set out to be the best l possibly could be. Starting my apprenticeship in a small salon in a small city was great but after a year l was hungry for more…I ended up moving to the capital city of NZ and get a job in the best salon in NZ Buoy… and finished my apprenticeship. The owner had won NZ Hairdresser of the Year 7 times along with countless other awards. Under his mentorship l ended up winning NZ Hairdresser 3 times, won many other awards, travelled around Asia, India, Australia and NZ teaching other hairdressers for various product companies. I’ve worked backstage at New York Fashion Week many times, London Fashion Week, Australian and NZ Fashion Week and work with countless leading NZ designers and magazines creating editorial content. I’m now an owner of Buoy 19 years later mentoring my own team of 27 staff.
“For most clients we are the most fashionable person they know so we need to make sure that we are well informed.”
While taking the role of Creative Director of Buoy Salon and Spa, how do you manage between working in the salon and overseeing a busy schedule between Editorial and Runway work?I don’t have a life outside of hair…its my career, my hobby and my obsession. I work 4 days on the floor with clients, 1 day on business administration, then the other 2 days are for shoots, campaigns, and preparation for them. I quite often make my own headpieces and accessories so l’m always got something l’m working on. My partner tells me off all the time for not relaxing but to me the job of hairdresser is so creative and given me so many opportunities that others only dream of.What are your favourite editorial shoots and hairstyles, and where was it taken?Every shoot has a special memory to me, but any shoot that requires big beautiful hair is a winner in my mind. I love Big Hair!!! So any shoot that required will get me excited every time.
What would you say is the difference between styling hair for TV and editorial versus everyday wear? What advice would you give to hairdressers that want to do fashion and editorial hair?
Editorial hair is hair that helps tell a story.. your just a small piece in the jigsaw of creating a mood or a feeling with a shoot. Sometimes the hair can look like it hasn’t even been touched by a hairdresser.
Hairdressers tend to over hairdress sometimes…less is more. My advice for those that are wanting to get into it.. assist someone who inspires you, get in and ask questions but the most important thing is to practice your fashion eye and watch what other editorial hairdressers are doing and understand what sets them apart.
“The day a hairdresser thinks they know it all is the day they should put down their scissors and quit. This industry is constantly moving and changing and if you don’t keep up you will be left behind.”
What inspires you to create new collections? Where do you get your vision? What is the hardest part of what you do?
Hair collections are my way of expressing my creative vision. The bulk of my clientele are professional woman that want a nice conservative haircut and colour done exceptionally well so l see collections as pure playtime. My vision/inspiration comes from anything but my main source of inspiration is Instagram. Not only hairdressers but artists and fashion people. There are some amazing people out there doing some amazing creative things that you can’t help but be inspired.
In your opinion, what is the hardest job for a hairstylist when communicating with clients on their needs?
The hardest thing a hairdresser needs to learn is to Listen. Listen to what the client wants, but what are they not saying as well. It’s a chance to take them on a journey to create their dream hair. Give them that you have a client for life.
Trends are constantly changing. What is your philosophy on trends, work and education?
A hairdresser needs to know what is current, what is about to be trending and be able to take it make it to suit the client! For most clients we are the most fashionable person they know so we need to make sure that we are well informed. They may not want the latest ‘’it’’ look but they want to know that we know what it is.
Education is absolutely essential to a hairdresser and they constantly upskill and learn. I still challenge myself, get outside my comfort zone and go on courses. The day a hairdresser thinks they know it all is the day they should put down their scissors and quit. This industry is constantly moving and changing and if you don’t keep up you will be left behind.
Describe your signature style of hairdressing, the look and building yourself as a brand?
BIG BEAUTIFUL HAIR is my signature and l think it’s important that a hairdresser specializes in something, whether it’s precision haircuts, ombre colours, unicorn hair, braids, wedding hair ect ..and use the power of social media to create a brand and a following.
If somebody walked in to your salon, came up to you and said that he/she wanted to be a hairdresser, what would you tell them?
If you love people, aren’t afraid of handwork, don’t really care about the lower wage than most other profession but want to have a great lifestyle and unlimited creativity grabs broom and start sweeping as you gotta start at the bottom before you can be at the top.
To a woman, her hair is her crown and glory. How do you think hair relates to a women’s confidence and beauty? Name three products a woman should use on her hair?
Hair is so much more than cuticles, follicles and proteins. It’s tied up in a woman’s confidence, how they feel and how they want to present themselves to others. Get it right and you will have them as a client for life, get it wrong and you will never see them again.
Products that are essential to every woman is the right shampoo and conditioner for the hair type and also scalp! So many people forget about scalp health. That’s were the hair grows from. Healthy scalp healthy hair! A heat protector, a crucial step that so many people forget! A good Mason Pearson brush. A classic brush that doesn’t rip or tear hair and stimulates the natural oils throughout the hair.
What has been your proudest moment and biggest accomplishment so far as a hairstylist?
Winning hair expo NZ Hairdresser of the Year in 2015. The biggest hair awards in the southern hemisphere. Almost like winning and Oscar lol and also working backstage at international fashion week is always a massive accomplishment for this farm boy who fell into hairdressing! Colouring and styling Hollywood A lister Scarlett Johansson hair as well when she was in Wellington filming Ghost in the Shell was also a career highlight.
Throughout the years you have won many awards and worked for covers on the magazines, can you name a few and what they mean to you and why?
My first cover of Fashion Quarterly was so special for me. Walking into a shop and just seeing the magazine sitting there with your work on the cover gave me such joy. Every time that happens l still get goosebumps.
What are your thoughts on the importance of social media in the hairdressing industry? Is it essential to create an online presence?
Social media is so huge now and it’s crucial that you have a presence. You can target the hair you wanna do the type of clients you want to attract and the type of hairdresser you want to be. Learn some tricks, tips and techniques to get the right presence for you and start creating your brand.
If you had a photoshoot on the Sky Tower and were only to take three products and tools, what would it be?
GHD Stylers so you cancreate movement and texture. L’Oreals Crepage de chignon, it’s like dry shampoo and hairspray mixed together to create the ultimate undone texture and my Mason Pearson Brush..it’s like my extra pair of hands.
Instagram: @michaelbeelhair
Facebook: Michael Beel Hair
Hair Salon: Buoy Salon and Spa
Website: www.michaelbeel.co.nz
