Hair colorist Robert Sugden (@robertsugdenhair) shares his tips for success, what he anticipates to be the biggest hair trends this year and so much more.
Courtesy of Robert Sugden
From buttery blondes and mocha mousse brunettes to dreamy pastels and bright vivids, this summer is all about color! Nobody knows this better than Robert Sugden (@robertsugdenhair). Mentored by some of the industry's top colorists, including Steven Tapp, Lorri Goddard and George Papanikolas, Sugden combines classic and new techniques to create fashion-forward, vibrant color tailored to highlight his clients' best features. He also cuts and styles all textures, making him effortlessly versatile. When he's not behind the chair, he creates engaging social media content, from relatable, humorous reels to stunning imagery that showcases his hair transformations. He also recently launched a podcast that he co-hosts with two fellow hair pros. To learn more about his dynamic career in the hair industry, we reached out to Sudgen, who shared his tips for success, what he anticipates to be the biggest hair trends this year and so much more.
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From buttery blondes and mocha mousse brunettes to dreamy pastels and bright vivids, this summer is all about color! Nobody knows this better than Robert Sugden (@robertsugdenhair). Mentored by some of the industry's top colorists, including Steven Tapp, Lorri Goddard and George Papanikolas, Sugden combines classic and new techniques to create fashion-forward, vibrant color tailored to highlight his clients' best features. He also cuts and styles all textures, making him effortlessly versatile. When he's not behind the chair, he creates engaging social media content, from relatable, humorous reels to stunning imagery that showcases his hair transformations. He also recently launched a podcast that he co-hosts with two fellow hair pros. To learn more about his dynamic career in the hair industry, we reached out to Sudgen, who shared his tips for success, what he anticipates to be the biggest hair trends this year and so much more.
"Making people feel good inspires me! I love the connection I have with my clients, and working behind the chair is a gift!"Courtesy of Robert SugdenBeauty Launchpad (BLP): What's a fun fact about you that others might not know?
Robert Sugden (RS): A fun fact about me is that I once lived in China for a short time!
BLP: Tell us about your journey in the industry. How did you get your start?
RS: When I decided to pursue hair, I reached out to my aunt's hairstylist Steven Tapp and asked if he would let me assist him. I was with him for about two years, and it was one of the best experiences! He gave me my start and truly taught me how to understand hair.
BLP: Who and/or what inspires your work behind the chair?
RS: Making people feel good inspires me! I love the connection I have with my clients, and working behind the chair is a gift! It’s a true form of “hairapy”! "My advice to new hairstylists is assist! Go and learn under a hairstylist that truly inspires you! Find a mentor, and soak up everything they can share with you!"Courtesy of Robert Sugden
BLP:Who has mentored you or served an important role in your journey as a hair pro?
RS: Working alongside Steven Tapp and other incredible hairstylists, like Lorri Goddard, has been the best learning experience I could have asked for! Having a mentor or mentors is so important, and I don’t think I could have done it without them!
BLP: Can you share a standout memory or experience from your time in the industry? What made it so impactful for you?
RS: Training under the iconic Steven Tapp was definitely impactful to me! I remember one day we were doing Ricky Martin's hair, and Steven asked Ricky if he could get me a snack because I was starving and didn’t eat lunch. Seeing how Steven always stayed true to himself taught me so much, and I remember this day like it was yesterday!
BLP: What advice would you give stylists just entering the industry?
RS: My advice to new hairstylists is assist! Go and learn under a hairstylist that truly inspires you! Find a mentor, and soak up everything they can share with you!
A gorgeous brunette by Robert Sugden!Courtesy of Robert SugdenBLP: What do you think the industry can do better to help hair pros succeed? What gaps do you see that need to be filled?
RS: I think setting hairstylists up for success, making sure people know they can grow and make anything they want possible! Salon life can sometimes feel like a trap! I think giving people the freedom to grow as high as they want is so essential!
BLP: What are your best tips for success in the industry?
RS: The best tip I can give is to show up on time, work hard and be reliable to your clientele!
BLP: You are known for your work as a colorist. What advice do you have for other stylists that want to perfect their color technique and grow their own skills?
RS: My advice to any young stylist or stylist who feels stuck in their craft is to take classes! Go and learn from someone who inspires you! We all have something to share, and this industry is a never-ending learning journey.
BLP: What are some of your biggest challenges as a colorist? What have you learned from those challenges? A beautiful, dimensional blonde by Robert!Courtesy of Robert Sugden
RS: One of my biggest challenges as a colorist is learning when to say no. When a client has damaged hair and comes to me to “perform a miracle,” I need to learn to say no sometimes! Sometimes it takes several times to reach a client's end goal. I’m working on this by doing more throughout consultations and informing my clients of the process it will take to reach their goal.
BLP:You recently launched a podcast – tell us more about it! What made you interested in starting this new endeavor?
RS: The podcast is called “Over Processed!" I wanted to create a platform where I can talk about life as a stylist, what goes on behind the chair and salon life and have a space where hairstylists can gossip and talk trends! Starting a podcast has been a dream of mine for a long time. I will be hosting the podcast with two “hair” friends, Kourtnee (@thecolourchemist) and Geysha (@geysha.mane.envy). When I met them, I knew this moment was the right moment, so we all collectively collaborated and started the process. I cannot wait for you to see what we create!
BLP: You also have an amazing social media presence! What advice do you have for stylists who want to improve their content creation and grow their platform this year?
RS: Social media is what you make of it. My advice is to create consistent content, post daily and be creative! Don’t take yourself so seriously, and just post!
BLP: Can you break down some hair trends that you expect to be popular in 2025? Why do you think these looks are popular now?
RS: I think 1960s hair trends will come back in 2025. The '60s brought us volume, movement and sophistication! I see many trends showcasing this, from the soft blended wave to the bump of volume in the back! The '60s is definitely in my hair forecast! When it comes to color, I think “natural luxury” will be in! I see a lot of clients moving towards natural low maintenance tones, such as soft brunettes and low maintenance blondes.
