The beauty desk cornered the top hair colourist at Paul Edmonds...
Don’t know who Jack Howard is? Unbeknownst to you, dear beauty fans, you actually do: he’s the man credited with bringing Balayage to the UK (a hair colouring technique the beauty desk are immense fans of), and has wielded his dye-loaded brush for the likes of Poppy Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse. Oh, and yours truly. While working his magic, we pulled our trusty notepad out and grilled him…
MC: So, Jack, do you think having good colour is more important than a decent hair cut?
JH: I’m a colourist so, yes, colour! No, in seriousness they work in synergy.
MC: While we’ve got you on hair in general, we’re a bit obsessed with short hair at the moment. Do you reckon we – and everyone else – should be getting the chop to update our look?
JH: No, no – it depends on the woman. There are honestly no rules!
MC: What made you decide to work on the colour side of things, then?
JH: I love texture, science and women and there are endless possibilities when it comes to hair colour…
MC: Name a product you use more than any other?
JH: L’Oreal Platinum pre-lightener. I use it so often for balayage.
MC: We like your do. What’s your routine?
JH: I’m so low maintenance – I wash my hair with Head & Shoulders and then I’m done.
MC: And who cuts your hair?
JH: Vanessa Essack here at Paul Edmonds. She honestly is the best cutter in London and I’m a fussy old Queen!
MC: You work a lot on shoots. Who’d comprise your dream team?
JH: Sam McKnight to cut, me for colour (obviously!), Cara Delevingne modelling as she’s lots of fun, and Charlotte Tilbury for make-up.
MC: As seasoned experts, we know shoots can get a bit fraught. How do you handle stress?
JH: Walk away and breathe. Failing that, a nice Makers Mark!
MC: Let’s get personal. What don’t you leave the house without?
JH: Breath freshener from Boots. Seriously.
MC: What’s your biggest indulgence?
JH: A lay in on a Sunday and taxis.
MC: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
JH: Not to worry about what other people are doing – just do what you want to do.
MC: And what advice would you you give a woman on the hair/looks front?
JH: To keep your look fresh and relevant. And don’t get hung up on youth.
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MC: You’ve worked with some pretty gorgeous women – who defines beauty for you?
JH: There is honestly beauty in everybody. I think it’s unfair to say this one’s beautiful but this one isn’t. Only temperament can render a woman ugly.
MC: Thanks, Jack. We think we know you pretty well now. Tell us something we don’t know about you?
JH: I cook a mean Sunday roast!
