Natasha Pearson, multi-talented hairdresser, salon owner, session stylist, educator and artist, talks to Rebel Beauty about her fascinating career.
Q You’ve moved through salon ownership, education, session work and now painting. Looking back, what thread connects every chapter of your creative life?
Essentially, I’m a creative, it’s at the heart of every aspect of my life, the thread of everything I’ve done and continue to do.
Q What first drew you to hairdressing, and when did you realise you saw hair as more than a service industry?
I had no inkling to be a hairdresser and worked for a year in business and finance. I quickly got bored and realised I didn’t want to spend my life in an office. I went on a course that focused on teaching you how to present yourself - what to wear, how to do your hair and make-up. That struck a chord with me and I decided I would like to be a hair and beauty artist.
I went to college and as soon as I started, I knew what I wanted to do. I did my first cut and it gave me so much more satisfaction than anything I’d done until then. I wasn’t very attentive in my first year, a bit of a rebel, burning the candle at both ends. Then a tutor took me to one side and told me I had an amazing talent, I could go on to great things, but I was in danger of wasting it. Someone believing in me like that was a catalyst and I decided I would aim at having my own business, having a London-style salon but not living in London. My first job was at a salon where I blagged my way in by exaggerating my experience. I went on into salon management and then established my own salon.
Q Are there any products you consider must-haves, and what are they?
For me, there are two must-haves. The first is Keratin Complex Texturizing Spray. I’ve used lots of texturising products in the past but this is my favourite because unlike others, it doesn’t leave heavy residue in the hair which is particularly important in fashion styling when you have to restyle over and over again in a very short space of time. It’s also much nicer for clients. Keratin Complex KCSMOOTH Restorative Leave-in Lotion is my other favourite, you want hair to be healthy as well as looking good and this is excellent for moisturising and hydrating.
Q You travelled extensively through education work. Tell me one thing you learned on your travels?
I decided I wanted to progress from just being behind the chair so I began doing session work at fashion shows. This developed into working at major couture shows, including Paris. I was head-hunted by an academy to spend two days a week teaching colour, shapes and styling. I was also training the apprentices in my salon. It made me realise how important good education and training is and I get a lot of satisfaction from helping others to develop their skills and creativity. I learnt a lot about different cultures, different people’s attitudes.
In the UK it can be tough, especially when demonstrating brands, as expectations are so high. In the USA it’s quite different, everyone is hungry for it, they want everything. That can give you extra energy. I’ve taught at a salon where there are a lot of different nationalities - Italian, East European, Spanish. No one size fits all, I have to adjust to fit the room.
Q Session styling is fast, intense and often trend-led. How different did that world feel compared to salon life?
The buzz is amazing very different from salon life, whether you’re backstage or presenting. You have to adapt to working as a team. For instance, at one show a model was late arriving and five of us were working on her, all at the same time. Exciting but challenging.
Q Owning a salon by the sea sounds cinematic. How did that environment shape your creativity and your approach to beauty?
About eight years ago I sold my main salon and converted my garage into a lovely space where I provide a very personal, one-to-one service for my clients. It’s a beautiful, restful place, all white walls, doors opening into the garden, surrounded by greenery. I love nature. My home is just five minutes away from the beach and being so close to the sea has a huge influence on me. We do photoshoots against the magnificent backdrop of the cliffs. It’s behind my drive to make a mark in the industry by showing that a little salon in a little seaside town can play a real part in hair and beauty.
Q What did stepping away from salon ownership teach you about identity and reinvention?
When I sold my main salon, I didn’t realise what an impact it would have on me. For 13 years that salon had been my identity and at first I felt a bit lost and struggled for a while. But to me, reinvention is a very healthy thing and I gradually processed reinventing myself as a person and a stylist.
Q Did your move into painting happen gradually, or was there a specific moment where you felt pulled towards it?
Painting has become a very important part of my life now. I got into it about three years ago after I lost my mum, two weeks before my birthday. I was very down and a friend persuaded me to go along to a ‘painting night’ - It was amazing, I lost myself in it for three hours, it was almost like a spiritual experience. I taught myself by looking at YouTube videos, looking at books and now I can’t imagine not being involved with my art.
Q Hair and painting both involve colour, texture, balance and emotion. Where do you see the strongest connection between the two?
There’s a huge connection between hairdressing and my painting. There are so many similar elements in both but imagination and creativity are probably the strongest factor
Q Having sold and exhibited your artwork, what does validation in the art world feel like compared to recognition in the hair industry?
I like to think I’ve been able to make my mark in the hair industry, but I become very emotional every time I sell a piece of art. It’s a kind of validation when someone is prepared to buy one of my paintings and hang it in their home. It’s a very special connection.
Q Final Thoughts: For hairstylists reading this who feel creatively restless or curious about other artistic paths, what would you want them to know?
Don’t be afraid. It can be easy for people to get stuck in their ways but embracing something new opens new doors. It can actually reveal more talents and creativity that you didn’t even know you had.
