Sharon Blain is undeniably Australia’s favourite long hair icon and one of the world’s most acclaimed and respected hairdressers, mentors and educators. With over 50 years industry experience, she is known for her innovative and unique long hair dressing styling, which has gotten her winning Hair Expo Educator of the Year title in three consecutive years and honoured with Hair Expo Australia’s Hall of Fame Award.
Her signature Boot Camp has attracted leading international platform educators, Hollywood celebrity stylists, among others.
Hi Sharon, you’ve been in the industry for over 5 decades. How did you first start off your career and what gave you that push to keep moving forward?
I always wanted to be a hairdresser for as young as 9. I started in the industry at fourteen and nine months. I remember my first cut like it was yesterday. I used to cut all the children’s hair in my neighbourhood.
Hair was a logical career option. I’m not an academic, but more artistic.
To be honest there was no profession that even interested me. I love what I do, which is a testimony to why I have been hairdressing for over 50 years.
The education part came later in my career. Being a teacher is a job I take very seriously. People trust you to help them, to give knowledge and help them develop creatively.
You’ve taken on roles such as salon own and online educator and as well as won various hair awards. Tell me how you worked through it all and your inspiration behind hairdressing and educating?
From the beginning I was a young apprentice, full of hope and excitement. I wanted to be the best, to make my parents proud. We did a lot of setting which was a valuable skill, a skill I still use today.
The Sassoon era came along and setting lost its popularity. I went to London regularly to train. I adapted to becoming a cutter and even today, I believe my skills as a cutter are very good.
Perming was a huge part of my career. I still love to wind a perm, but as we know, the demand has died. I still believe it will make a strong return, like different trends they return in time.
The important steps for me was competition hairdressing. Training and competing in competitions are the best form of training. The skills learned, is so valuable and important to make you very skilful.
I started my educational brand, Sharon Blain Education (SBE), over 10 years ago after deciding not to work so heavily with international product companies. This was when I also decided to produce my own range of hair padding.
Around the same time, I began to offer my own one- and two-day classes in my salon. These were an instant success. We always had full classes. I continued to work on simplify my designs, techniques and applications. I continue to stay true to my brand and philosophy by teaching looks that were current and client related. I don’t teach styles that have no reverence. I teach looks that are useful in the salons and what the clients were wanting, this is still my mantra today. The looks must be simple, able to be completed in shortest time frame and current forward ideas generally bases on celebrity and runways hair.
It’s clear that hair and long hairstyling is your true calling. What is it that you love about this creativity and how does it drive your work?
Yes, long hair has always been my calling, I was l lucky enough to train in a very good salon in my early years who were amazing at up dos. So, I was exposed to the best. I realised I could do great long hair without fear, and I knew there was a huge hole in the education market in this area, so I decided to channel my energy that way.
When it comes to your work, what are your personal standards for a finished look?
I’m a fan of stunning classical hair, a mix of strong classic structural shapes and more dishevelled looks. There were many looks from that show that I love.
I always feel suitability is vital for any updo. Not enough attention is paid to face shape, body size and hair type. Just because messy braids are on trend doesn’t mean to say they are suitable for everyone.
The hair industry is fast paced, hairdressers have to always follow up with the latest trends. What makes a successful hairstylist that always wants to be updated?
A successful hairstylist continues to attend educational classes regularly while they practice their craft. We owe it to our clients to be the best we can be and to lift industry standards by offering the highest professional services and advice. Long hours, always practicing and never stop learning are the lessons learnt that I still apply today.
What ignited the spark in you to venture in education or to make significant changes in an existing business?
I want to leave a legacy to the industry by sharing the techniques and skills I’ve perfected over many decades. My dream is to raise the industry standards of beauty professionals, assist them to gain confidence, motivation and develop pride of workmanship.
What helpful tips can you share in choosing the right educational program on your site? Do you offer courses internationally as well as locally?
Yes, we offer courses internationally as well as locally. Some tips for students choosing which course to attend is to first of all make sure you understand what your learning outcomes are. Consider the level you are at, so you choose a course that is pitched at your skill levels. What genre are you working in? If you are in bridal, you would want to join a class focused on bridal and if you are looking at developing work in editorial or session styling, then choose a class focused on this.
Based on the amount of awards you won, have you noticed it helping your business and pushing your career one step further?
I find entering awards help to benchmark yourself to others in the field.
All the awards are submission based. I have to report on my achievement, my aspirations and also give an in-depth report on the classes, results and students feedback.
When you write an entry is makes you very aware of how your business is preforming, your achievement and goals your set yourself.
Has Dubai been a country of choice for education and training? What are your thoughts on Middle Eastern hair compared to European hair?
I have never been to Dubai and I would absolutely love to be invited to do work there. I believe Dubai has many skilled hairdressers. It would be a great market for my sort of work and I would be able to share a lot of my skills with the hairdressers in Dubai.
Regarding Middle Eastern hair. I feel it takes a very skilled stylist to work with coarse, strong, curly hair. I give praise to people who work well with this type of hair. It’s more challenging, and those that do it, they do it extremely well. When It comes to European hair and if I am I’m thinking Scandinavian hair for example, once again, there has to be a very skilled hairdresser to know how to manage, that fine, soft, thin type of hair. I think it takes a very skilled hairdresser to be able to manage all spectrums of hair types.
Essential looks and seasonal trends are regularly changing. You continuously create collections and trends to inspire other hairdressers. How do keep up the pace in the fast-changing industry?
I love to follow what’s happening on the runway, fashion spreads in high end magazines and various Instagram artists who I admire.
I can also find ideas in the least unexpected was like sculptures, building shapes, nature and art.
How do you find hairdressing different to all parts of the world?
Overall, I don’t see a huge difference from when I travel around the world. Here in Australia, they have great work culture and attitude, this can also be said for hairdressers I meet along the way. Skill level in all parts of the world is not always so great and that is due to training.
How have you adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic? Has your brand been affected in any way?
It has been a challenge not to travel. It’s sad not being in front of a class because it’s where I find my true passion. However, one has to be realised that this is something that will not change very quickly. I have loved planning and developing classes online. It has been fantastic to connect with hairdressers from all over the world. To be able to offer education to people who have never had the opportunity to join me in the classroom. These people are now signing up for my online classes. Opening up my education to the world through online classes, has been fantastic.
What memorable moments from your career so far would you say has been the most pivotal for you?
Highlights for my career would be to being appointed as the coach for the Australian team for World Cup in Japan when the team won the Oceanic region of the world, winning my awards, celebrating my 50 years in the Teaching the Sassoon’s directors my styling program was definitely a career highlight. Creating Pivot Point Internationals Salonability Long Hair book. Twice reciprocate of the Australian Hair Expo Hall of Fame Award. This recognizes one person a year who has worked tirelessly and made a significant contribution to the industry. This award particular is humbling to say the least.
Most importantly having the incredible opportunity to teach and pass on my knowledge to hairdressers around the world. When I see student’s excitement and I am told I have changed their lives, this is gold. There is no better feeling!
Who are some of memorable icons you’ve encountered?
I admire Vidal Sassoon cutting, Anne Bray styling, Angelo Seminara for his visions and Alexandere d Paris for his classical long hair finish.
What advice can you give to hairdressers that want to follow in your footsteps or starting out in the hairdressing business?
It is vital for hairdressers to keep their skills fresh and new. Continue to attend classes and educate yourself regularly. If you don’t keep up with the new trends in cutting, colour and styling you will lose interest and become bored and clients will become bored with you. Clients these days demand the best. They are very informed and knowledgeable. We have to work so much harder to satisfy their needs. Regular education helps keep you ahead to grow your skills and confidence, so no task is a challenge.
Sharon Blain Education
Long Hair Educational Artist
Website- https://www.sharonblain.com/
Instagram- @sharonblaineducation
Facebook- @sharonblaineducation
Youtube- Sharonblaineducation
Credits
Main Image– Blain’s Facebook page. Blain at 2016 Hair expo
Images and Video– Blain’s Facebook page.