With over 3o years experience in the Hair industry, session stylist and salon owner Simon Webster is internationally recognised for his creativity and vision with hair styling. Having worked backstage on many catwalk shows and photo-shoots.
Training the team in his Brighton Salon, he is passionate about educating them to reach the next level in the hair industry whilst confidently breaking barriers and educating them and their clients.
Regularly participating in shows, Webster’s team recently competed at the 60th anniversary of the L’Oreal Colour trophy 2015. His specialist colourist and Stylist Patrick Matthew ‘s took home to Brighton the Mizani Afro Award from this event. Setting a new level of talent within the industry and standing out from any other Hair salon by offering services to people with Afro hair.
Patrick has gained the majority of his experience working with hair in Dublin, which he feels provided, him with the right tools to work confidently with hair in general. It was whilst working in a 5* salon that he gained a further mass of experience working with Afro Hair.
Patrick took time out of his schedule to talk to me about the vision behind his hair creation and how the Dublin lad gained extensive experience working with Afro hair.
Congratulations on winning the Mizani Afro Award. What was your vision behind the winning style?
Patrick: Black female R&B/HIP-HOP artists from the 90’s have always inspired me visually. Hairstyles and colours modelled by Missy Elliott, Alliyah, DA BRAT, TLC etc. Their look then is still current today, elegant, chic, but with some slight attitude.
My vision at the 60th anniversary L’Oreal awards was to showcase a hairstyle specifically on Afro hair, focusing on a strong, and striking look, although keeping this natural. I felt like adding slightly warmer colours to captivate the overall look.
Winning the Mizani Afro Award, you have broken barriers in regards to high street hair salons promoting equality & diversity. How do feel you have done this?
Patrick: Education. Great hair specialists will regularly educate themselves, not necessarily on products but with the science of hair.
Knowing your client hair type and their expectations through consultation enables time to know the hair you are working with. 
Specialists in Afro hair will know
normal methods and treatments used can be different depending on the hair structure, porosity etc., Hence why educating yourself and your client is crucial.
Traditional Afro hair salons continue to use harsh chemical based products and older methods when working with Afro hair. There are safer and more effective ways of working with the natural state of Afro hair, which is not straight.
Focusing on Afro Hair, What styles are you promoting for this A/W2015 look?
Patrick: Definitely the natural look, a natural style, which requires low maintenance. This winter the hair colours I am promoting are the warmer tones I really like the Caramel, auburns and copper, shades.
For an evening look I would recommend finishing the desired style with a volumised blow-dry to give the look an added extra.
Natural looks working with natural curls and making the hair’s condition a priority.
Have you got any projects in the pipeline representing Simon Webster Hair?
Patrick: I have just completed presenting the Afro fellowship stage at this years salon international 2015, and still have another year of working with the Loreal ID Artists team show, casting trends live on stage across the UK and Ireland.
There will be the salon international- stage club and then there’s the biggest hair show held in London- The L’Oreal colour trophy.
I’m currently seeking creative ideas for the next one. Since winning the Mizani Afro Award.
Finally, Christmas is not far away. What is a must have stocking filler personally recommended from Patrick Matthew’s?
Patrick: For the ladies, I recommend without doubt the L’Oreal Pro Fiber. This is an intensive 3-step hair treatment. This intensive renewing treatment grips to the hair like a magnet and renews the look of damaged hair. – Suitable for all hair types.
For the Gents, I would recommend Layrite cement- it’s a strong hold wax, which is water-soluble allowing easy wash out when shampooing. This wax is great for both short and longer hairstyles. A little goes a long way with this product.
Both of these products can be purchased from myself in the salon.
The team and myself are more than happy to give advice on any of our products and methods on styling.
Simon Webster Hair
16 Gardner St,
Brighton,
Bn1 1UP