Hey there, hair enthusiasts! We have an exciting treat for you all! Meet the incredible Tom Smith, a hair stylist extraordinaire, educator, presenter, and brand consultant. This master of cut, colour, and style is ready to share his expertise with you in his upcoming creative colouring course, "Throwing Shades," on the 11th of September at Harris Gibbs Hair in Birmingham.
Tom's bio reads like a hair industry dream, and we can't wait to dive into his world of transformations. As the Colour Director at Billi Currie Hair Salon in London, a Senior Educator for Olaplex, and International Creative Director for Evo Haircare, he's truly a force to be reckoned with in the world of hair.
But what makes Tom even more special is his genuine passion for the industry and the products he uses. He's a firm believer in only promoting and using products he truly believes in, and he's always on the lookout for the latest developments and innovations in hair care, science, and technology. You can trust that he'll bring the best of the best to his courses.
When you meet Tom, you'll quickly discover he's the kind of person you'd love to hang out with after hours. Describing himself as "mainly sweet but a little bit nutty," he's not just an educator but a fun, down-to-earth guy.
Tom's impressive portfolio speaks for itself. From Expensive Brunettes to Bottleneck Bangs and Botticelli Waves, he has an eye for hair trends like no other. His work has graced the pages of prestigious magazines like Vogue, Glamour, and Byrdie, and he's earned quite the name for himself on Instagram and TikTok. But that's not all—when he's not busy predicting the next viral hair moment or navigating social media fame, he's tending to the tresses of VIP clients, judging magazine awards, and sharing his knowledge far and wide as the International Colour Creative Director.
Now, let's get to know Tom a little better with ten questions for the man himself:
Hey, Tom! We can't wait for your "Throwing Shades 2.0" course! Tell us a little about what attendees can expect.
Throwing shades 2.0 has a real fusion of very salon-friendly, fast and effective techniques plus more out of the box creative placements-which is why I think it's such a strong offering from us of evo - practical skills to take into the salon immediately plus something to challenge your creative vision too!
You've been featured in Vogue, Glamour, and Byride – that's incredible! How does it feel to have your creative colouring talents recognised by such prestigious publications?
I take my trend forecasting super seriously! Its really designed to motivate hairstylists to continue to be excited by their work and to inspire clients to come back into the salons each season excited by the prospect of change! I really aim to do our industry justice by straddling the line between serious technique and client communication.
Being the International Colour Creative Director at @evohair must be a dream job! What do you enjoy most about spreading your knowledge and expertise worldwide?
It makes me realise that while the world can feel so vast at times, the high end hairdressing industry is globally small enough to truly connect together and I love sharing ideas that transcend geographic locations.
We love that you believe in using products you truly stand behind. Are there any must-have products you recommend for anyone serious about hair colouring?
I've worked for the same two brands for 7 and 8 years now and truly believe you have to know you’re working for brands whose morals and vision align with your own. I’m lucky to have worked on some of the greatest technical advancements of the last decade (the launch of Olaplex in 2015, Bottle Blonde in 2019 and Hue Verse in 2021) and both technologies are truly at the forefront of what a modern hair colourist needs to excel!
Shop evo Bottle Blonde and Hue Verse.
Tell us about the @evohair colour products and what sets them apart from the rest. Why do you believe they're a game-changer in the world of hair colouring?
You can really tell it's a line built by hair colourists - not business people in a boardroom. It's more of what we want and need from high performing products (intensity, vibrancy, coverage, etc) and less of what we don’t (brassy fade, unwanted base break, damage). It's the first colour line I’ve used that actually elevated my results further, rather than me having to create ‘hacks’ to make an old-fashioned colour work for me.
Hair colourists often have their signature style. What would you say defines your unique approach to creative colouring?
I started out at Sassoon originally, where I learnt the foundations of precision and a deep respect for the integrity of hair. I’m so grateful that that was my start in the industry, but even more grateful when I moved on to gain access to what the rest of the industry had to offer. This has meant I could fuse that forensic attention to detail with a more client-centred, open-minded approach where nothing is off limits but there’s a quality to every little detail that I won’t compromise on.
Among the various hair trends you've created, do you have a favourite, and why does it stand out for you?
Expensive Brunette was one of my favourites from a colour point of view. It was the first time that darker hair colour was given the same attention to detail and technique that blondes had been used to. Bottleneck Bangs is the most popular cutting trend I’ve seen so far, thanks to their incredible versatility and flexibility for various results.
Are there any trends on the horizon that you're particularly excited about?
Quiet luxury is a leading macro trend in fashion at the moment and we’re already seeing this move into hair - quality over quantity and this real focus on simplicity done really really well. Nepo blonde is one of my favourite terms I’ve coined recently - think sienna miller at Wimbledon - clear and clean finely woven creamy blonde results, with gentle shadowing at the parting, bright without being out and not over toned or yellow either.
Lastly, besides the fabulous hair, what's your go-to downtime activity or hobby that helps you unwind and recharge your creative energies?
I’m all about a healthy dopamine hit - I run, take cold showers, and train with a pt. I also really rate red light therapy - I have a panel at home that I meditate in front of; there are so many scientifically proven health and beauty benefits. Then, of course, life is all about balance and so a spontaneous wine with friends midweek also helps to keep me sane!
There you have it, folks—a glimpse into the world of Tom Smith, the super talented and passionate Creative Director at @evohair. If you're as excited as we are, mark your calendars for the "Throwing Shades 2.0" course on September 11th at Harris Gibbs Hair in Birmingham. Get ready to learn, get creative, and colour outside the lines with the best in the business. We can't wait to see you there! Cheers to great hair and even greater company!
Photo Credit:
- Instagram via Tom Smith (@tomsmithhd)
- Screenshot from Glamour Magazine (@glamourmag) and The Sunday Times (@thetimes)
Connect with Tom using the links below:
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Instagram: instagram.com/tomsmithhd
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TikTok: @tomsmithhd
Schedule Your Appointment with Tom Smith:
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Billi Currie Website: www.billicurrie.com/book/
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