Cutting at thirteen and fast tracked through her apprenticeship? Little wonder Rokk Ebony’s Maria Uva’s a finalist in both Colourist of the Year and Victorian Hairdresser of the Year at the Australian Hair Fashion Awards.
myhairdressersearch talks to the 29-year old prodigy.
You were cutting at 13?
[Laughs] It comes naturally. I would cut and colour my friends’ hair in year seven. I had a full clientele of school friends! I went to university to be a teacher, but soon realised it was all about hairdressing.
…And they fast tracked you?
I was 19, which is quite old for an apprentice, but I started colouring after three months. I finished my apprenticeship in two years.
What is your specialty?
I love dramatically changing colour. I am ambassador for the new Colour Cascading technique. It’s fused colour, darker at the crown and lighter on the ends, like Cameron Diaz at the Golden Globes. It’s balliage technique going from dark into light.
You cut and colour. What’s more important?
They complement equally, but I believe a good colour can make an average haircut look great. An average colour on a great haircut will just look average.
Tips for maintaining colour at home?
Use colour safe products. The Wella SP range is amazing. You need weekly intensive treatment and a styling protectant like Sebastian Originals Potion Number 9 [$48].
What is the biggest mistake a colourist can make?
When you have the same client having the same colour for three years… It’s our responsibility to suggest change, so they don’t get stuck in a time warp. You need to create trust.
What was the theme behind your nominated collection?
It showed a variation of colours and techniques, including white blondes to rich chocolates, really raw and natural hair… I showed off length and I styled curls. The theme was ‘Natural’ and it is natural and wearable, but with a twist. I have black girl with blonde hair, which really stands out.
What do the nominations mean?
It’s a career milestone. It’s massive peer recognition, even just the nomination. I’ve been nominated a few times, now I’m ready to win! [laughs]
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Don’t ever let anyone stop you from where you want to go… just keep going.
Rokk Ebony
168 Toorka Road
South Yarra VIC
03 9827 7503
Visit Rokk Ebony on the web.
See some more Colourists of the Month.
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