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ONLINE HAIRDRESSING TRAINING AND EDUCATION FROM THE WORLD'S BEST HAIRDRESSERS

Feature - Sarah Astley Interview

Text / Images by Jamie Harrison // Published Friday 6 May 2011 

Sarah Astley is one of the most respected and renowned people working in the field of barbering today. Following many years of working and teaching at Vidal Sassoon and performing cutting demonstrations on stage at shows around the world, she is now in high demand at Chelsea's prestigious Realhair salon where she cuts mens hair and trains assistants to the highest level.

Sarah joined us in the the MyHairDressers.com studio to demonstrate her particular brand of precise barbering, combining solid technique with an eye for suitability that only years of experience can bring. 

Where does your inspiration come from?

Inspiration's difficult to answer, it doesn't come in only one form. It comes from a number of sources gathered slowly over time. Coming from Art School, drawing and painting have been very important to me, it shows you how to look. Inspiration comes from observing in a subtle way and over time - gathering and absorbing.

What's the best thing about teaching for you?

It's giving students their freedom. You need to set boundaries at first and give them success to get their confidence going, but then you have to let them go. I try very hard to let them go. The most important thing is to get them to look and listen, they have to listen to their clients and learn to interpret what their clients want.

Who's inspired you?

Tim Hartley - he has the ability to move hair around and make amazing transformations and do it quickly and effortlessly.

Why choose barbering?

When I was studying at Vidal Sassoon, many people told me that the best technicians are barbers and I wanted to be the best!

Do you have advice for anyone starting out in barbering?

Watch people and try to copy those little elements of people you like, at least try to do it. Because you can piece all those things together and gain the confidence and develop your style. There's always work for good people but you have to put in the time and the effort and always strive to be great.

What do you like in a haircut?

I like sheer simplicity of form, very natural. It could be loose or tight, it doesn't necessarily have a particular technique, just keep it simple.

What's your favourite technique?

I love scissor-over-comb. When I was younger I had a young clientele in Manchester in the 1980s and a lot of the hair I cut was very short around the sides and back. I cut a lot of musicians around that time - one of which I always loved cutting - Terry Hall of The Specials and The Colourfield.

What do you think of online hairdressing education?

It's very accessible, it's the modern way of finding information, which everyone is now so used to doing. It brings it right to your front door.

Have you enjoyed today?

It's been tremendous fun, and everyone's been lovely. Thank you, it's been a pleasure.

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