Robert Eaton is many things. He is renowned for being a true colour expert and fully qualified trichologist, which in turn makes him one of the most in-demand hairdressers in the region.
He is the UK and Ireland Technical Director of a leading global colour house, Wella Professionals, as well as a member of the elite Wella Professionals Colour Creatives.
Additionally, Robert is the European Brand Ambassador for electrical hair styling brand, Hot Tool. His work is also seen on catwalks as he’s used his talents as the official hairdresser behind the scenes at London Fashion Week and within the entertainment industry. Robert officially recognised within the industry scooping numerous awards.
Get to know the multifaceted award-winning hairdresser:
Hard work and Dedication always pays off!
Robert Eaton
Robert share with us what you would like us to know about you? Tell us about your first steps into the industry?
I have grown up around the hairdressing industry and worked within our family business as a Saturday assistant for as long as I can remember but I officially started hairdressing in 1996 as an apprentice where I joined my father, Russell Eaton, in the Barnsley salon. I began a fairly traditional apprenticeship and worked my way through my training until I became a stylist in the salon. I was very fortunate that my Dad has always been and still is a very progressive and passionate hairdresser and I quickly got involved in many different aspects of the industry including assisting on shoots and shows and going to many different seminars, learning from as many people as possible. This was such a valuable and enjoyable part of my career and some of the skills I learnt in the early days of my training I still reflect on today. This introduction into the creative side of the industry from an early age really gave me the inspiration to become more involved in this side of our industry.
How did you earn the role of Creative Director with Russell Eaton Salon both in Leeds and Barnsley?
As I have grown up around the family business and have learnt so much about how we run the business and the different aspects that this involves it was a natural progression into this role. It involves so many different areas but the main focus is how we maintain the highest standards of creativity and the smooth running of the salons. It is a role I love and although it can be challenging, it is extremely rewarding and I love bringing the best out in our team whilst also being involved in the creative output of our company.
Starting your career in your fathers hair salon, how has the industry changed since the beginning of your career?
I have been in the hairdressing industry now for over 20 years and the industry has changed dramatically during this time. There are so many more opportunities for hairdressers and people entering the industry now than ever before. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to travel all over the world with hairdressing on shows, shoots, seminars etc. All of these opportunities are possible for hairdressers entering the industry, whether it is working in the world of session hairdressing and celebrities, or being a super talented and amazing stylist in a salon or as a freelance stylist. The opportunities are endless and I am very excited to see how the industry moves forward. I also feel that social media has totally transformed the way hairdressing is now perceived by the consumer but also as a profession.
A multi-award winning stylist, how does it feel winning and what is the feeling being part of these awards that you hold?
The creative side of the hairdressing industry has always been something that has been important to myself and our brand. We always try our best to encourage and instil this work ethic in to all of our team members. For us it is all about creativity as clients can really help drive our business forward whilst also developing our profile within the industry. I will never forget winning my first hairdressing award as it felt a real sense of achievement and really gave me the bug to enter more. It is so great to be recognised in the industry and by my peers and this of course then filters into salon life.
How important is it for a hairdresser to enter and win an award? Are hairstylists advised to enter these awards?
It is important for hairdressers to push themselves creatively as it is the driving force for our industry. Whether you enter awards or not, the creative process around them can be very inspiring for both hairdressers and clients. For me it is all about entering awards at the right time to ensure that our stylists are ready for the level of work and commitment that is involved. Awards can be important for our industry as it is a great platform for us to showcase our work and present ourselves to the industry which can then lead on to many other things.
Can you tell us about the Heritage of Russell Eaton Salon?
The sign of a great salon is one that has stood the test of time, and Russell Eaton salons have done just that. Steeped in history and with a strong family heritage at it’s core, the Russell Eaton brand has truly made its mark on British hairdressing over the last four decades. The last year was arguably be one the most memorable as the brand celebrates 40 years in business.
The Russell Eaton brand began from humble beginnings and the first Russell Eaton salon opened its door in 1978 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. Over the next 30 years, the salon transitioned through several moves and expanded into bigger premises. Eventually in 2009 the Russell Eaton brand had become such a success with both customers and within the industry, the decision was made to open a new flagship salon in Leeds city centre.
The Russell Eaton team members have remained loyal to the salons, with many team members having grown up alongside the business, sharing and expanding its ever-growing success. At least two of the Barnsley salon team members have worked within the salon for over 30 years, while another four members have worked in the salon for a decade. However perhaps its greatest asset is the fact that their clients have remained loyal too. Many clients have been visiting the salon for decades and in some cases, families spanning three generations visit the salon. The Russell Eaton brand truly has family and tradition at its heart.
However, it is not just in Yorkshire that Russell Eaton is a renowned name, the salons have become recognised globally for their creativity and ground-breaking hairdressing.
Awards include:
- Fellowship For British Hairdressing Salon Group of the Year 2017 winner
- Fellowship For British Hairdressing Life time achievement awards Russell Eaton
- Hair Awards Best Regional Salon North
- Salon Business Creative Salon of the Year
Founder Russell Eaton says,
“I am so proud of how far the Russell Eaton salons have come. Seeing my salons go from strength to strength has literally been a dream come true. To have my family working alongside me all the way has made the experience even better, more than I could ever hope for.”
Does your father still work alongside you in the salon? What does it mean to be part of the family business that is located in Barnsley, where you started your career?
I think a big part of what makes our Russell Eaton salons so special is the history and heritage that they are steeped in. This year we are celebrating an incredible 40 years in business and my dad Russell Eaton has been in the business for over 50 years. Running two salons takes a lot of time and it is often tricky to get the correct work/life balance. Being part of a family business is more of a way of life than just a job, but I truly believe that it is being a family business that has made the Russell Eaton brand so successful and there are two reasons I feel it works so well:
Communication
Running a family business means that we all spend a lot of time together and we are always talking about work. I think this communication is key to a successful family business. We are always sharing with each other our ideas for the business, what direction we are heading in and plans we have. My dad, Russell Eaton and I will have a conference call before and after work every single day. From these daily car phone conferences, we discuss everything that is happening in the salon, in the industry and in our local areas. Through this constant communication we all will have a unified view of what the plans and our aims are for the salons, everyone is in sync and it helps things run smoothly.
Learning from each other
It is amazing working as a family because even after a lifetime spent with them they can still be surprising and incredibly inspiring, not to mention motivating. My dad is a huge inspiration for me, seeing all his work from when he was working with Vidal Sassoon and watching him working and creating in the salon even to this day. I started my career as an apprentice in our Barnsley salon when I was 16 years old and my Dad has taught me more than I could ever imagine.
I am also very blessed to work alongside my sister Isobel, who has also been a wonderful source of inspiration and learning for me. Back in my early years I used to use Isobel as a hair model to practice my cutting skills. The results were always a lot shorter than she ever expected and I think a strong lesson we both learnt was not to practice on family members. The key point is that even though the cuts may not have been of her choosing, Isobel would continue to support me in this way, helping me improve my skills. These days I still get to have the support of Isobel whilst working on shoots together and creating collections.
Of course, it’s not just my styling, cut and colour skills that have benefitted from being part of a family business, it is also my actual business skills. Both my Dad Russell and my mum Karen are incredibly skilled in business and their guidance when I became Creative Director of the Leeds salon has been invaluable.
The hardest and best thing about being in the spotlight?
I feel very fortunate to be part of so many aspects of the hairdressing industry and I am very grateful of all of the opportunities that have come my way. The hairdressing industry now more than ever before is all about sharing ideas and the work we all create. I don’t really see myself as being in the spotlight as such but I really hope that my experiences so far can help anyone wanting to progress their careers further.
What made your interest in Trichology? Do you make wigs / hairpieces to suit the client’s needs?
I became more interested in trichology after work with wigs and hairpieces in our salon and helping clients that are experiencing hair loss conditions. I was quite moved by the impact hair has on someones self confidence and wanted to learn more about these conditions and why they happen. I have found it a hugely rewarding and beneficial aspect to my career, not only on a personally level but from a business perspective also as our clients love the fact we have an in salon trichologist and with hair loss conditions becoming more and more prominent with clients, the level of advice we can offer people has been hugely beneficial to our business.
I offer a very bespoke service where I meet a client who is considering a wig or hair piece, discuss the options available and then order in the appropriate wigs and then personalise their wig to complete the experience.
What are the steps in becoming a certified Trichologist? Is this something all hairdressers should be certified in?
I studied at the institute of trichologists in London which took two years to complete the first part of the course. This is then followed by two years of mentoring from the institute as you implement the new skills into your work life and business. Visit https://www.trichologists.org.uk for more details on how to enrol on the course and what is involved.
For me the skills I have learnt completing the course have been a great addition to my hairdressing career, I draw on the information most days with every client I see. I would recommend this to anyone who was interested in progressing further.
Being recognised within the industry scooping numerous hair brand awards, how is it being associated with these prominent companies? How did you eventually secure your first award and continuously move forward – nominated or won – with different brands?
Becoming recognised in the industry has not always been the number one priority in entering awards and competitions. For me it has always been about being part of our amazing industry and hopefully contributing creatively within it. Being successful in some of the awards and events has lead to becoming more involved with different product companies. and is something I am always very excited about being involved in and is definitely a very different area of the hairdressing industry. However, I still love being in the salon looking after our loyal clients, some of whom have been with us for forty years.
For me entering the awards has also been a journey and I have not always been successful in everything I have entered and I have definitely learnt more each time I have been in a competition/show/seminar. I feel you never stop learning, the year that was probably the most memorable for me winning awards was 2003 when I became part of the Fame Team, won the L’Oreal Colour Trophy and North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year in the British Hairdressing Awards. This year really helped to elevate my own profile and that of our salon within the industry and is a year I will never forget!
I feel it has been very much a gradual progression within the industry, it is not that a single award transforms everything suddenly, I have found that over the years of entering, winning some and also sometimes not winning, has allowed to shape my career and experience in the industry.
I have worked on some amazing shows and feel very excited about the current and up coming projects within the industry particularly with my role at Wella Professionals.
A Technical Director for Wella Professionals, what can you share with us about the new trends we are about to see, and what can you share about the color line?
There are so many new and exciting product innovations within Wella professionals portfolio of colours, the latest has been the reformulation of their most iconic colour line Koleston Perfect ME+ and recently we have worked on the launch of the new Ilumina Opalescense shades, which offer innovative and unseen shades to our industry with the most advanced technology.
I am loving working with Wella Professionals trends expert ZOË IRWIN and bringing new trends to our industry with new techniques that drive our colour business’s forward.
How important is hair education to you? Should hairdressers always keep updated with latest trends, colors and techniques?
Education is so important in any industry and staying at the forefront of new trends and techniques is essential in our competitive industry. Our industry is fast moving and trends now are often not just seasonal trends but also micro trends that move very quickly.
From an education perspective there has never been a better time to stay ahead with the latest trend, techniques and information with so many different ways of learning from studio courses to online seminars, and social media playing a big part in todays modern education offering from manufactures. Take a look at Wella Professionals education platform for some great tips and education inspiration.
https://education.wella.com
Who would you say has influenced you most during your career?
There are so many people I have to thank in the industry for their help and for inspiring me to push myself within the hair industry. Of course. my family and particularly my father Russell Eaton has been a huge influence and inspiration to me. However, so many other industry icons that I have been fortunate to have worked alongside or been mentored by have been massively important in my career. Also the product companies I have worked with have been hugely helpful and have really provided us all now amazing platforms to share and show our work.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertjeaton/
Website: https://www.russelleatonhair.com/
Credits
Images: Robert Eaton
Interview; Romy
