Hi Cameron, can you tell us a bit about your background? How did you get into hairdressing?
Hairdressing is really all I have known. I am a third-generation hairdresser – my grandmother introduced it to my dad, who then decided at 20 years old to open a salon in Taunton. Combers Inside-Out Hairdressing is now 43 years old, and I have grown up with the salon always being a big part of my life. It’s always been like a second home.
I loved creative arts at school, and I was hugely into my team sports too. I think working in the salon is a perfect collaboration of these two things. I have also always been told I have an engineering brain as I love to know how things are put together and taken apart. Working in the salon, I love to dissect a haircut or a colour.
What’s been your biggest career highlight so far?
I’ve enjoyed working with the Fellowship on the different projects that they offer. I’ve been a part of Clubstar, Project Sassoon and made it to the FAME Team final, as well as assisting Clubstar last year with Jamie Benny.
What are your ambitions?
My biggest ambition is to grow the salon that I work in. Alongside that, I have a lot of personal goals that I’d love to achieve too. I would like to win awards in the future and grow my portfolio of images and work. I want to create beautiful hair that I can look back on and be proud of. I’ve found that giving back is a huge part of this industry, and I want to share as much as I can to help others succeed.
Who are your mentors and what have they taught you?
My dad is my biggest mentor; he’s the reason that I got into hairdressing in the first place. He has always been brutally honest with me throughout my career, and that has helped me so much – it’s better than being surrounded by people that just inflate your ego!
What does the hairdressing industry look like to you today?
To me, the hairdressing industry is a beautiful thing because it’s forever changing. I often say that every day is a school day in the salon – you learn from clients, you learn from people that you work with and you also learn from your mistakes.
What inspires your creativity?
I remember Tom Connell saying that if anything you look at makes you look twice, then look back a third time and take a photo of it. That is the beauty of having a mobile phone that is attached to your hip; you can take photos and look back on them when you’re feeling uninspired. I have found myself doing this all the time now – whether it’s the way the light reflects on a specific shape or colour, or even an intricate detail on a building. This then sends me on a wild path of trying to bring it back and make it industry relevant or doable on hair!
Is hairdressing what you thought it would be?
I didn’t think I would have as much fun as I have had so far. I’m always meeting amazing people, working on fantastic projects and creating beautiful hair on beautiful people – what’s not to love?
Do you have a signature style or technique that sets you apart?
I really enjoy precision cutting and focusing on balance and shape in a haircut. I work on a lot of short hair in the salon, creating a bespoke cut that works with someone’s lifestyle, face shape and taking into consideration their ability and time to style their own hair.
How do you think social media is changing the hairdressing industry?
Social media is the thing I hate the most and love the most at the same time! I love the ability to share and see what other people create and share with the world, but I don’t like when I hear people comparing themselves to other people in a negative way. I remember someone saying to me that if you ever see stuff that brings you down, just unfollow them and try and surround your feed with things that lift you up. It sounds super simple, but since I’ve followed that advice, I find myself feeling more confident about my hairdressing life and what I create.
Are there any particular products, tools or technologies you’re obsessed with right now?
My current favourite tools that I have in my kit bag and use all the time are the Olivia Garden long barrel brushes. If you haven’t got them, get a set. They’re life-changing in the salon for bouncy blow-dries, especially because of their speed and efficiency.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in hairdressing today?
I would say, be patient, be open-minded and think of yourself like a sponge – try and absorb as much knowledge as possible from whoever is sharing it with you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if it’s to someone you’ve followed online and you’ve never met. I’m sure they would be willing to help you via a friendly DM on Instagram.
What do you think makes a great hairdresser stand out from the rest?
Being true to yourself – you won’t enjoy the process if you are trying to create something that you don’t like or believe in. If you are doing something just because you saw someone else do it, I think it will always show in your work.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Still learning and growing. Running the family salon, working on some exciting projects and continuing to create beautiful hair. On a personal level, I would like to have a family that one day brings a fourth generation into hairdressing.
