How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

What if colour work could be approached less like guesswork and more like investigation? In this episode I'm joined by Samantha Blues, founder of Colour Science Investigation, who explains her crime-scene-style framework for helping stylists move from guessing to predicting in colour.

Samantha discusses why many stylists are taught to focus on the finished look rather than what is happening inside the hair, and why hair reading, residue, underlying pigment and consultation questions are essential. She also covers toners, colour correction and the limits of relying on formulas alone, saying the goal is to build confidence, structure and better client communication.

Hit Play!

 
CHAPTERS

5:03: Why the Industry Fails Stylists
10:10: Toning Without Panic
12:24: Samantha’s Personal Turning Point
14:43: What Makes Great Colour
15:44: Stronger Consultations, Better Results
18:19: Hidden Colour Problems Exposed
20:15: Simplifying the Science
22:24: Inside the Six-Week Course
22:56: Why This Course Matters
25:27: Finding Time to Learn
27:11: Confidence, Loyalty, and Pricing Power
30:10: Facing Embarrassment and Learning
31:22: Brand Neutral and Accessible
33:09: Why Guessing Leads to Disaster

 



 
EPISODE RESOURCES

FOR ALL COURSES AND MORE WITH SAMANTHA BLUES VISIT HERE
CONNECT WITH SAMANTHA ON INSTAGRAM @SAMANTHABLUESCOLOURCOACH
DISCOVER TODAY SPONSORS KERATIN COMPLEX PRODUCTS HERE
TICKETS TO HAIRCON CLICK HERE USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT

What if the thing holding your career back isn't your skill—but your fear of being seen?

In this episode, I break down why stage work matters for hairdressers and barbers. It builds confidence, sharpens your communication, and transforms how you show up behind the chair.

I explore how performing unlocks creativity you didn't know you had. How it opens doors to educator roles, brand work, and art teams. And why live visibility still hits different in a world dominated by algorithms.

I also share my own journey learning stage craft—and introduce SHAIR! UNDRGRND, a raw, unfiltered stage format I created for rising talent.

Plus, I announce SHAIR! UNDRGRND at HairCon Manchester, 14-15 June.

Ready to take your first step onto stage? Hit play.

 



 

EPISODE RESOURCES

APPLY FOR A STAGE SPOT AT SHAIR! UNDRGRND HERE

GET TICKETS TO HAIRCON HERE (USE CODE HTC10 FOR 10% OFF ALL TICKET PURCHASE)

FOLLOW SHAIR! ON INSTAGRAM @WEARESHAIR

CONNECT WITH DOM ON INSTAGRAM @DOMLEHANE

CONNECT WITH HOW TO CUT IT ON INSTAGRAM @HOWTOCUTIT

FIND OUT MORE ON TODAYS PAID SPONSORS KERATIN COMPLEX HERE

 



 

CHAPTERS

0:11: Stage Work Matters
2:41: Better Behind the Chair
4:25: Creative Freedom Onstage
4:55: Getting Noticed Live
7:01: Why Live Still Wins
7:41: My Stage Journey
9:42: Creating New Platforms
11:11 SHAIR! UNDRGRND Explained
12:16: Community and Culture
13:52: HairCon Takeover
16:52: Bigger Plans Ahead

What if your next job, chair, brand deal, or education booking didn’t come from battling an algorithm—but from one app built only for the hair industry? Meet Spotd!

In this episode of How To Cut It, I’m Dom Lehane, and I’m joined by my fellow Spotd co-founders Richard England-Lee and Ollie Johns to break down Spotd—our soon to launch iOS and Android opportunity platform designed for hairdressers, barbers, salon owners, educators, and brands.

We share why we built it, what problems it solves, and what you can expect at launch. Think location-based opportunity alerts, curated profiles that work like a portfolio/CV, and a cleaner, more professional way to connect—without the noise of social media.

We’re building Spotd in public, and your feedback matters. Want early access (and a chance to test it)? Join the waitlist at getspotdapp.com.

If you’re ready for your next big move in the hair industry—or just want to learn more—press play!

 



 
Episode Resources

JOIN THE SPOTD WAITLIST: VISIT GETSPOTDAPP.COM
CONNECT WITH SPOTD ON INSTAGRAM @GETSPOTDAPP
FOLLOW SPOTD ON TIKTOK @GETSPOTDAPP
GET TICKETS FOR HAIRCON VISIT HERE : (USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT)
CONNECT WITH HAIRCON ON INSTAGRAM @HAIRCONSHOW
FOLLOW HOW TO CUT IT ACROSS SOCIALS @HOWTOCUTIT

 



 
Chapters

0:40 Introducing Spotd
2:27 Meet the Co-Founders
3:47 The Importance of Spotd
5:40 Transitioning to the Hair Industry
7:02 What Is Spotd?
8:59 Solving Industry Problems
11:58 How Does Spotd Work?
12:33 User Experience and Profiles
15:09 Opportunities and Connections
19:04 Building the App
22:43 Building In Public
25:46 Project Features
30:12 Engaging with the Community
34:57 Event Management on Spot
38:58 Future Plans for Spotd
48:15 The Game-Changing Vision

Ever thought about adding hair extensions to your menu, but stopped because you’re not sure how to learn them properly, the return on investment, or whether the hair is ethically sourced?

In this HTCI x Remi Cachet partnered episode, I sit down with Remy Cachet founder Victoria Lynch to get into the real questions: what responsible sourcing and sustainability actually mean in the extensions world, what salons should be asking suppliers, and where the red flags are.

We also break down the learning curve—how to move from “extensions-curious” to confidently offering them as a professional service, what training should include, and why consistency, standards and support matter just as much as the hair itself.

If you want to build a new revenue stream without compromising your values, this conversation will give you clarity and a practical way forward.

 



Chapters

4:53: Understanding Hair Issues
6:52: Passion for Hairdressing
8:25: The Rise of Remi Cachet
9:55: Ethical Considerations in Hair Extensions
12:20: Achieving B Corp Certification
14:51:  Sustainable Practices in Packaging
17:17: Global Expansion Plans
18:57: Supporting the Next Generation
20:11: Red Flags in Choosing Suppliers
28:23: Innovation and Adaptation in Extensions
38:12: The Super Stylist Community
43:55: Education and Training Changes
49:58: Giving Back Through Change A Girl's Life
1:00:05: Future Aspirations and Market Growth

 



Resources from todays episode

FOR MORE ON REMI CACHET VISIT REMICACHET.COM
CONNECT WITH REMI CACHET ON INSTAGRAM @REMICACHET
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA ON INSTAGRAM @VICTORIAREMICACHET

Want to become a session stylist? This episode with Anna Chapman is the practical route in — not the fantasy.

I’m back in the HTCI PodShed with Anna Chapman, a leading session hair stylist with an instinctive understanding of hair and over a decade in top salons before moving into the session world. Todaywe’re to have real catch-up since we last spoke in 2020 podcast episode. Anna breaks down the actual steps to get into session work today: how to position yourself if you’re coming from salon, why session styling is a different job entirely, and what you need to do first to get on set.

We get into the assisting ladder (what assistants really do, how to reach out, how to follow up, and how to get yourself rebooked), plus the skills that matter when the pressure’s on for major brands. Anna also shares what to post on Instagram if you want work—how to show range, not just “glam”—and why persistence, visibility and standards are the long game.

If you’re serious about building a career in session hair, start here.



 

CHAPTERS

1:25: Breaking into Session Styling
6:47: The Reality of Assisting
12:21: Getting Paid as an Assistant
15:04: Defining Session Stylists
19:35: The Importance of Communication
23:11: Challenges for Women in the Industry
27:20: The Competitive Landscape
34:33: The Path to Success
37:49: The Importance of Apprenticeships
43:09: The Role of Social Media
50:26: How to Become an Assistant



 

RESOURCES FROM TODAYS EPISODE

FOLLOW ANNA CHAPMAN ON INSTAGRAM @ANNACHAPMANHAIR
FOR EVERYTHING SESSION KIT CLICK HERE 
CONNECT WITH SESSION KIT ON INSTAGRAM @SESSIONKIT
GET TICKETS FOR HAIRCON VISIT HERE : (USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT)
CONNECT WITH HAIRCON ON INSTAGRAM @HAIRCONSHOW
FOLLOW HOW TO CUT IT ACROSS SOCIALS @HOWTOCUTIT