If there is one thing we have gained through this experience, it’s perspective. From the communities’ dedication to our ability to remain creative and connected even from afar – we’ve learned so much as a brand and about our community. Although we’ve all had to socially distance over the past few weeks, one thing is for certain – the KEVIN.MURPHY family will always be by your side. As we continue to grow and develop resources we wanted to give you the opportunity to gain an inside perspective from some of our KEVIN.MURPHY Educators stationed around the globe and how they’re navigating daily life where they are.
PASCAL VAN LOENHOUT / KEVIN.MURPHY DESIGN.DIRECTOR – CUTTING
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
How has the time away from the salon given you perspective or gratitude for the hair community?
I have been amazed at how fast and effective the hair community has responded by using the available channels to communicate. In the blink of an eye, all of us were taken away from practising the career we love so much. The way the industry has responded to share creativity in captivity by connecting online will stay with me forever.
What is the one thing about educating that you are most excited to return to?
I’m super excited to start travelling again and to connect with the people in person. We are all very lucky to be able to connect online to unite with the industry, but nothing beats a real audience in front of you. I can’t wait to share true emotion, get triggered by what we see around us, and just hug all my friends from our global community.
What services are you most excited to create in the salon?
I just want to cut hair! This is what I love doing. I’m not trained to do anything else. Once the restrictions are lifted, we will all be provided with a great new perspective. Almost every client will enter the salon as a blank canvas that we get to style. I believe that the time apart will have a strong influence on consumers and their aesthetic. We will see timeless haircuts taking the place of fast-moving trends.
In your time away from the salon/educating and what have you learned about yourself?
For me personally, it gave me the opportunity to rest emotionally – to rethink and reinvent myself creatively. What I mean by this is that I took the opportunity to slow down a bit to create space in my mind for new ideas. The use of social media channels was also a great way for me to explore education from a different point of view.
How has everyday life been impacted in Belgium?
To protect my family, my loved ones and myself, I took the lockdown restrictions pretty serious from the start. From a salon owner’s perspective: there were a lot of people who wanted to break the rules and compromise their health in order to receive services. This felt really strange to me because it meant that our profession is considered so important that people are actually willing to risk their health for it.
As the topic of DIY home care came up, I personally have never understood the short term response of salons providing DIY home kits for colour. This is a very risky road to take when it comes to long term solutions. In my opinion a professional service is not designed for home use. Which is why as an educator, I have aimed to share my knowledge with the professional industry only.
Pascal’s advice:
Live your life without taking things for granted. Stay safe and protect your loved ones. And, be sure to unite and stay connected with your community.
CAROLINE KELLS/ KEVIN.MURPHY STYLE.MASTER
Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
How has the time away from the salon given you perspective or gratitude for the hair community?
It has made me realise how precious our clients are. I think as an industry, we love to make people look and feel great, and we are so lucky to work so closely with our clients especially in this age where many can feel disconnected with each other. The hair industry is unique as we are not only working on making the outside look amazing but make sure people leave feeling amazing from the inside too!
What is the one thing about educating that you are most excited to return to?
I am most excited to reconnect with stylists and offer support and encouragement in this new time that lies ahead. I think there will be a mix of excitement and nerves from stylists as this is a unique situation, so I think being there to show support for each other will be essential.
What services are you most excited to create in the salon?
I think longer consultations and conversations with clients will be extra important and valid to fully understand their wants and needs. We need to make sure we are recommending the correct service, but also offer them our best advice for maintenance. For example – home care and how to do their hair at home. I think it’s especially important to make sure your client feels “heard” during this time. We want our clients to feel amazing every day, even when they are not in the salon. By spending more time communicating, I believe we can give them the tools to look and feel great every day.
In your time away from the salon/educating and what have you learned about yourself?
Since being home, I feel like I have learnt so much about myself and our craft. I have been educating myself by watching KM.TV, Webinars from the wonderful MASTERS and practising their tips and looks on my mannequin from home. I have also focussed on how I can be a better educator by adapting my approach to make sure I am describing things to be beneficial for all kinds of learners. I have thoroughly enjoyed the mindfulness talks on KM.TV and have really tried to develop those practices in everyday life, which is benefiting me both personally and professionally.
How are you impacted in the UK?
I am from the UK, just outside London. I have been self-isolating on my own. I think at this point we are on week five of lockdown. I believe we are allowed to go outside for one hour of exercise a day and visit supermarkets. I am very lucky that I can still work from home. It is lovely to see how creative people have been in an effort to stay united and connected. There are no signs of the restrictions lifting any time soon and they are expecting it will potentially be about six months before salons open.
Caroline’s perspective:
There has been a real sense of unity which has been so uplifting and comforting. I really believe and hope that we will continue to remember this feeling and make sure we stay connected in the future when setting “new norms”. One of the silver linings is that we have recognised how much we need connection, so going forward I believe we will all value and prioritise this. This is already longstanding in our culture at KM and I feel very proud to be part of the family!
MARSHA MORAN / KEVIN.MURPHY COLOR.MASTER
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
How has the time away from the salon given your perspective or gratitude for the hair community?
I have so much gratitude for each and every salon owner, independent stylist, stylist, colourist and support teams within the salons. Everyone is staying strong during these new times by coming together to spread the same message as a community to stay home. It is beautiful to see how close we have become during these times. From sharing knowledge and ideas to resources for getting support from the government, what websites to visit, or how to start fundraisers to help financial loss though social platforms like gofundme.com.
What is the one thing about educating that you are most excited to return to?
Well, I never left education and it’s beautiful how the social world of media opened up in a whole new way with brighter eyes to use and learn from! Connecting and teaching the world through Facebook Live sessions or webinars makes me excited! It brings new energy and excitement about how to teach from afar while staying connected to our global team.
I am looking forward to being back in the salon or education platforms where I can be face-to-face again. I love and miss sharing ah-ha moments with my students. It gives me such joy to see their facial expressions light up when they learn something new. It doesn’t quite feel the same in our digital world yet… just because I can not see everyone’s faces!
Are there any services you are excited to utilise in the salon?
pH.D all the way! I cannot wait to share the excitement with all the COLOR.ME users! The finish that pH.D leaves on the hair is untouchable! The shine and finish on the hair is out of this world!!
In your time away from the salon/educating and what have you learned about yourself?
I would say that I am learning balance. I have learned to breathe, to slow down, to take each moment and feel my emotions and to be present in whatever I am doing. Whether that is cooking, cleaning, learning or working to be fully present. Whatever I may be doing at that moment, I hope to find peace within myself. I have also learned not to compare myself with anyone else, but to learn from other artists about their artistry, to grow my confidence in who I want to be in this world and feel more secure about who I am as I continue to learn about myself.
This has been one of the hardest times of my life – going through the loss of my mother and brother within three months and then facing a pandemic with self-isolation has been a roller-coaster of emotions. But, what I have learned is that it is up to me and my outlook on life and how to deal and react with my emotions. Finding balance with the support of my community is what grounds me and teaches me life’s lessons every day. I could not be more thankful in life, because the oddest thing is that I am alone but have never felt so supported and loved.
What has it been like in the United States, specifically Los Angeles?
I live in Los Angeles, a few blocks from Venice Beach. My community has slowly adapted to a new lifestyle. My morning routine would be to run on the beach, but since the beach is closed I continue to run staying on the boardwalk wearing my mask and weaving up and down the alleys enjoying the street art and views of the ocean with a new, different perspective. I always wave and say “Good Morning” to anyone I pass through my mask and try to find a new balance of “normal”.
As I pass the police officers wearing masks standing side-by-side blocking all pier entrances and parking lots for beach parking they wave and say hello before I can. I find immediate comfort in this action and thankfulness that they are looking after my neighbourhood so we all stay safe. The boardwalk stays open and rules are to stay 6-feet away while running. Surfers can not be in the water, no one can be on the beach and anyone who does not follow the rules is ticketed.
I have not been to the grocery store in over 6 to 7 weeks. Every Friday I go a few blocks from my house and shop at the farmer’s markets. Same farmers greet me as we smile through our mask and I am wearing gloves holding onto my personal basket. I say hello to Lori Petty and find comfort in hearing her voice as we stand 6’ away at our orange cones giggling and waiting to point at the organic veggies that farmers will pack into my bag.
As the day goes on every night at 8 PM the neighbour’s run into the street or to their windows to bang pots & pans, play the guitar, blow a trumpet or cheer and yell – all to give thanks to the workers who are helping support my freedom and save lives to our California community. As distant as I am I feel loved and supported and saved within my community.
Marsha’s Advice:
The art of dressing hair is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. It is all about connecting and interacting with kindness with each client in the chair. It’s a lifestyle of daily structure and I understand how hard it is to have that completely taken away from you. To feel a loss of that daily routine and connection can be extremely difficult to wrap your head around. Please know that KEVIN.MURPHY is here for you to lead and support you with education during this time. Whether it is a phone call, a text message, a video chat, whatever you need please never hesitate to reach out and connect. We are all in this together. It is up to us to rebalance a new daily structure during this time and explore while we are at home. Please make sure to look after your mental & physical health. Remember to do one thing for me 10 times a day and that is to smile! It naturally creates endorphins, which in turn will make you feel happy.
WADE BLACKFORD / KEVIN.MURPHY DESIGN.DIRECTOR – STYLING
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
How has the time away from the salon given you perspective or gratitude for the hair community?
It has absolutely given me a greater appreciation for being able to travel and go outdoors. When I am able, I’ll be spending a lot more time in the great outdoors.
What is the one thing about educating that you are most excited about returning to?
I can’t wait to get back to that real human connection, I won’t take it for granted ever again.
What are you most excited to create once restrictions are lifted?
I just can’t wait to get back to doing hair and creating new looks!
In your time away from educating what have you learned about yourself?
I’ve really learnt how much I appreciate all the stylists I get to connect with and influence. I’ve learnt that connection is a really special thing.
How has this impacted you in Australia?
We are doing really well here in Australia. We locked down everything very quickly and extensively, which is working really well. I feel we are doing the right thing and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
SARAH LUND / KEVIN.MURPHY STYLE MASTER
Location: Austin, Texas, United States
How has this time away given you perspective or gratitude for the hair community?
It has become apparent that the love that hairdressers have for their craft is unparalleled. Especially when compared to most other industries. The need to create, learn and grow is always with us, we are truly artists in that way.
Tell us the one thing about educating that you are most excited to return to?
I miss sharing knowledge with hairdressers! As a full-time educator I get to spend countless hours in salons, or at events with hairdressers and there is undoubtedly always some kind of exchange of knowledge. Whether learning a different way to use a product, feedback on a technique that resonates, or solving an issue together — there is always something to learn.
What are you most excited to create?
I don’t work in a salon, but I do editorial work in Austin in addition to educating with KM. I must say that I am itching to shoot with my favourite collaborative groups! This time of stillness has given me the creative space for new ideas and perspectives. I can not wait to try them out!
In your time away what have you learned about yourself or how have you grown as an artist?
It has been quite the adjustment going from being on the road three weeks a month to working from my home every day! I have learned that I really love a routine, a schedule, and a timeline. Trying to stick to that when you feel like you have unlimited time has been a challenge. I find that sticking to my morning routine makes the rest of the day productive. I have my Thank, Connect, Move ritual where I take 15-20 minutes every morning to write in my gratitude journal (thank), meditate (connect) and stretch (move), and of course coffee!
Tell us what the environment has been like in the United States, specifically Austin, Texas?
I live just outside of Austin in a small city called San Marcos. The impact here was much smaller than in other places so we are really fortunate in that way. We often take advantage of the warm Texas weather. We walk a lot, so it has been really quite amazing to see so many more people out walking, riding bikes or just being out in nature. I do hope that people’s connection to the outside continues on after everything starts to resume.
Sarah’s Advice:
There is no doubt that this has been a challenging time for so many and I recognize that quarantine looks different for every single person. As we slowly start to move back out into the world, I invite everyone to do so with kindness. We are all on a different journey with a different battle and are trying to do the best that we can to move forward.
“Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people” – Karen Salmansohn
JANINE SIMONS / KEVIN.MURPHY COLOR.MASTER
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
How has the time away from the salon given you perspective or gratitude for the hair community?
I have been humbled by the way the entire industry has been sharing hair, business and industry education and insights using online platforms and making it accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any level.
What is the one thing about educating that you are most excited about returning to?
I am really excited to see how the skill level of our salons and stylists has improved from all the digital KM.TV and Webinar education, and how it directly translates back into the salon, and the positive impact it will have on consumers. I think this will open up training gaps that we as educators can identify and provide solutions for.
What services are you most excited to create in the salon?
When we first go back, one of the key offerings for our clients will be express services. We need to meet the demand for servicing as many clients as possible. We are aware of the fact that many people have lost their jobs, and income, which will have a spinoff effect on salon services. The business strategy behind offering express services makes them affordable and will ideally mean that our clients will book ahead a little sooner for their full salon services, which should help prevent a boom/bust salon business situation.
There will also be demand for new looks for our clients since many have grown out their cut and colours and can consider new options! I am super excited to launch pH.D services in our salon, this product couldn’t have arrived at a better time as it allows us to create express refining services when speed is paramount. To help the influx of clients, we will now offer virtual consultations and online tutorials. I feel like this will remain as a core service post-COVID-19.
In your time away from the salon/educating, what have you learned about yourself/how have you grown as an artist?
I have learned new ways to virtually connect and combine our everyday activities and systems with the online world, which brings in new opportunities. For example: online consultations for our clients – a service I can see remaining, and online team activities such as a virtual wine tour with my salon team!
I have also recognised that salon owners are seeking information and leadership for ways to run a successful business. It is not necessarily hairdressing specific but general business basics to survive in tough times like this and how to grow and thrive beyond it.
Tell us what the environment has been like in New Zealand.
We have been in complete and compulsory lockdown for 6 weeks, including social isolation. The exception is for the people in our “bubble”, which for me has been my family. It has not been without its challenges, however, overall New Zealanders have 100% supported the government decision. We have taken to enjoying family time, baking, board games, jigsaw puzzles and homeschooling!
As a small business owner here in New Zealand I feel very fortunate with the financial support packages the government has provided by way of wage subsidies and interest-free loans for two years. This has made all the difference to me in being able to retain all 14 of my team members. It has also allowed me to create and plan a way forward to maintain the business financially as well as eliminating personal stress and angst during this lockdown time.
