Every year, we honor 30 young colorists under 30 to find out what makes them so talented and successful. Get to know 2017 honoree Abigail Jones in our interview with her:
Name: Abigail Jones
Age: 25
Salon/company name: Nsalo Salon Wilmington, NC
Title: Manager and Lead Colorist, TIGI Technical Art Collective
Instagram: @abbieonlycolours
Primary color line used: TIGI Copyright Colour
Beauty school/location: Paul Mitchell The School, Raleigh NC
Tell me a little bit about yourself:
I got started in the industry when I was 18. I graduated from school and apprenticed under a colorist. I then decided to become a departmentalized colorist, and I’ve never looked back! I’m a lead colourist at Nsalo Salon and a member of the TIGI Technical Art Team. Leading the color team at my salon means everything to me—from training the new apprentices to sharing my knowledge with clients. I love going to work every day. My passion is to share the knowledge I was given and to never hold it back, whether that be on the road teaching or behind the chair.
What inspired you to become a colorist?
I knew color was for me from the first day I went to school. I’ve always been drawn to painting and color theory, and once I realized you could also get into hair science, I was sold. I apprenticed under TIGI Technical Creative Collective, Nina Rubel and decided to become a departmentalized colorist. I’ve never looked back. Hair cutting and styling are great for some people, but for me, I’m inspired by how color can change your mood and transform your look.
What are your goals?
Managing a salon and teaching on the road have taught me a lot about the industry. My goal as a colorist is to teach—teaching at the salon level and beyond. Our industry has lost so much of the classics and basic theory, and that is what we need to focus on for our new colorists. I was given so much knowledge and I’ve been taught to never hold that back, to always push others forward, and to share. My goal is to make the future colorists the best they can be and to push them past where I have gone.
Any accomplishments so far in your career that you’re particularly proud of?
I was a member of the TIGI team at Behind the Chair's RAW competition in 2012 at Premiere Orlando. After months of training, late night work, and preparation, our team got second place. It was such an amazing experience to be a part of. I was only 20 at the time, already published in their magazine and on stage! It was crazy. That is how I got into teaching, and now five years later, I just tested out for TIGI Technical Art Team and was so excited to finally make it. It has been an amazing journey so far.
What are your hair color specialties?
I have a love affair with blondes. As a blonde myself, I’ve always been drawn to finding the right shade for the right complexions. People seem to have the most trouble with finding a colorist who can achieve the blonde they want, and I love to do that for them. My specialties include classic highlighting work, freehand highlighting and color corrections.
What do you love most about being a colorist?
I love the ability to change a person’s entire outlook on themselves. Nothing is final with color. You could change someone’s style and take years off their appearance in your processing time. There is nothing better than having a client say they couldn’t wait to be back in your chair to get their touch up, or that you made them actually feel better and more like themselves.
Who would you consider to be your mentors/role models, and why?
I have two major mentors and a few role models. Nina Rubel is my biggest mentor and one of my dearest friends. She is on the TIGI Technical Creative Team, and I apprenticed under her. She taught me everything I know and to this day if I have a question she will call me back ASAP and answer it. The biggest thing she taught me is discipline, to trust the process and follow color theory.
Roby Powers is my other mentor, and he is also on the TIGI Creative Team. I’ve now worked for Roby for 6 years and he has given me so many opportunities and helped guide me in my career. For that I’m forever thankful. Lastly, my role models are Renee Valerie, Richy Kandasamy and everyone else at the TIGI NY Academy. They are the best at education and have helped inspire me to keep my passion alive.
Please share a hair color, prep or color care tip.
The biggest tip I can give any colorist is to start with the basics and to learn theory inside and out. If you have discipline and follow the process you can only achieve success in a service. My lightening progression chart is my favorite tool, I use it to make sure I’m at the appropriate level for toning and correction services. You could never memorize that enough.
What is your favorite color trend/technique of the moment?
My favorite technique at the moment is TIGI Soft Shading out of the Custom Blondes Collection. It is a lived-in-color technique that will give you the depth at the roots and freehand highlights that everyone is trying to achieve, but with actual sections and theory behind it. Clients want to have more natural effortless hair this season to go along with their natural texture, and I’m really into it.