Interview with Joe Hayes of Toni&Guy

Joe Hayes has worked for Toni&Guy for 7 years. A talented and creative hairdresser, he has worked as a stylist on many fashion shows and on shoots for several leading Irish publications. He has also worked on Off the Rails and Xpose, and regularly appears on Irelandam.

Joe works at the Clarendon Street, D2 salon and always has a full client list. He is passionate about his career and loves helping his clients to change their image using his hair expertise. Georgina Heffernan caught up with Joe to get the low-down on spring's hottest hairstyles.

GH: What styles do you see for the upcoming season?
JH: I think hair is going to stay quite relaxed, as it has for the last few seasons. We are moving away from the big set blowout, a la Cheryl Cole. Hair is still going to have movement but it is looking more natural and unforced. We are also seeing the return of shorter styles, and I have noticed the number of clients looking for a Mia Farrow/Carey Mulligan style crop is on the rise.

GH: What are some of your favourite products?
JH: At the moment, I love Label M Resurrection Dust, which is amazing for giving body to flat hair and fantastic for edging out softer styles when sprinkled on the edges of hair. I'm also a massive fan of hairspray, especially Label M Hairspray for strong hold or L'Oreal Elnett for a softer finish.

GH: What styling tools do you recommend splurging on?
JH: A salon quality hairdryer and flat paddle brush are a brilliant replacement for straighteners and will do a lot less damage. The most versatile tool in my equipment is a Babyliss Pro curling tongs. Tongs will give a much softer curl than a straightener. Just loosely grab the ends of hair & twist to get that covetable just out of bed look.

GH: What should someone take into consideration before getting a new 'do?

JH: Manage-ability. Hair is such a versatile thing but a client should always consider how good they are at managing their hair. There is no point in getting a sleek new shape that requires heavy styling if you have strong, typically Irish hair and are not that good at styling it. I'd recommend working with the natural texture of your hair.

Listening to your stylist when it comes to a new 'do is paramount. They will be able to advise you what will suit your hair texture & face shape. Face shapes do dictate what will suit you in terms of fringes and lengths. Don't be afraid to arrive to the salon armed with pictures of likes or dislikes, it will give the stylist an idea of what you are thinking.

GH: How do you go about creating your signature collections? Is it difficult to think up new ideas each year?
JH: Our collections are created by the London Art Team. They take influences for the world of fashion & this filters through to the collection. Toni & Guy is the official haircare sponsor of London Fashion Week, so that provides great inspiration and allows Toni&Guy to keep one step ahead of upcoming trends in hair and fashion which in turn benefits our salon clients. The current collection is full of soft, feminine, fluid shapes of varying lengths that will flatter all women.

GH: What's the most important styling tip for women?
JH: My most important styling tip would be again to work with your natural texture as much as possible.
* If you have fantastic curls learn how to make the most of them with products and a great shape.
* If you have silky straight hair be brave and go for strong graphic shapes & glassy sleek blowouts.
* If you have a soft wave you can work that relaxed, just out of bed look with just a small amount of product such as Label M Soufflé.

GH: If you could cut any Irish celebrity's hair who would it be and why?
JH: I'd love to cut Roisin Murphy's hair. She is really adventurous in her personal style and I'd love to filter that through to her hair.

GH: You must have seen many changes in hairdressing over the years. What in your opinion were the best innovation and the worst?
JH: The advancement in colouring techniques and products have been huge over the years & have affected hair greatly. The worst innovation has to be the invention of the straightener. When used correctly they are a great styler but many women have come to rely on them over the years and have damaged their hair greatly as a result.

GH: What is your favourite hairstyle of all time?
JH: I love Debbie Harry's hair in her Blondie heyday. It's wearable hair with a punk attitude and is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. From a hair-up point of view, Audrey Hepburn's signature upstyles still inspire so many looks.

GH: What type of hair is the most difficult to cut?
JH: "Each person is an individual and at Toni&Guy we realise this. Every head of hair has to be approached differently. However there is a knack to cutting curly hair so this can present the biggest challenge.

GH: What is the secret to a really good hair cut?
JH: A quick trip to Toni&Guy!

GH: What's next for Toni & Guy?
JH: London Art team are already starting work on the next collection. In Ireland we have just relaunched the product range, Label M, with a fantastic hair show. This range will be distributed to other salons which will mean Toni&Guy staff educating at those salons. The team are constantly working on education and session work. Also watch out for Toni&Guy stands at the Glow FeelGood shows around the country over the next few months, where Toni&Guy experts will be on hand to offer people advice & mini makeovers.