The Final Cut with Andrew Dunne

Starting Out
Being a hairdresser wasn’t something I ever imagined doing. I was about 16 and I had a crush on a girl who worked in a local salon, so I got a part-time job in the hope of getting a date with her. Within six months, I had done a basic course with L’Oréal in London and they said I had a natural ability for colour, so I stuck with it.

Colour Commitment
I have a love/hate relationship with the grey blonde. Even though I love the look of it, especially on dark skin, it is a trend that would break your heart as it is such high maintenance. A huge amount of time and money is needed to execute it properly and the upkeep is constant, which very few clients are willing to commit to. I have sleepless nights over this type of thing.

Bouncing Back
I was offered an opportunity a long time ago, to become a Creative Director in Tigi Haircare, with my very good friend, Nick Irwin. But the company was sold and the offer fell through. I feel I would have been very successful in London. This was an extremely low point in my career but I went on to win the International TrendVison a year later, so as they say, everything happens for a reason.

Brow Down
I was doing a show in Cork many moons ago, and I accidentally bleached my models eyebrow. I was in front of a huge crowd and I had to cover it up. Luckily a make- up artist came to my rescue.

Trendvision Awards

Aiming High
I have been lucky enough to have a lot of highlights in my career, (no pun intended). My first international shoot for Sebastian Haircare, the photos arrived l while I was out shopping, they were just about to be released globally and it was an amazing feeling. Winning International TrendVision in 2006 was a complete gamechanger for me. My photograph being chosen for the Global release of Illumina Hair Colour was incredible.

Social Life
We get a lot of inspiration from social media, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest. These platforms reflect what clients are really into and what they really like. It is commercial but it will make you very successful if you can follow and execute what is loved and liked.

Firm Focus
From my experience, nobody seems to do proper consultations anymore, based on skin tone, eye
colour, face shape, bone structure, focal points, hair type and texture. You must take all of this into consideration to create the perfect bespoke colour and cut for that client and that client alone.

Teaching Moment
I am involved in various hair education pages on social media and posting real hair on real clients
every day has brought global recognition to the salon in a way I never imagined. This has created
a new motivation for me as I can make waves globally without ever leaving the salon.

Final Word
This year I am going back into education in Ireland, hosting masterclasses in Mane and I already have dates booked for Inspiration days around the country for next year. There is a huge appetite for education which has been fueled by social media which I feel we are at the forefront of.       

www.hairbymane.ie