NHF Inspire

Helen Ainsworth (Crème Hair Management, North Yorkshire)

Helen is new to the art team for 2008, and is really looking forward to developing her presentation skills and being involved with a team of like-minded individuals. Hairdressing for the last 10 years, she has been passionate about hairdressing since the age of 12, and really enjoys the ability of “making a difference to peoples confidence, self-awareness and lives through their hair.” Helen is the Crème salon owner, manager, senior stylist and staff developer. Helen’s work and also the salon have appeared in the local Yorkshire press and she often gets involved in regional competition judging; she has coached many of her own students to success in the competitive arena and frequently encourages them to enter their work into competitions.

Joanne O’Neill (Joanne O’Neill Hair Designs)

Holly Jay Lewis (Jay Jay’s, Bristol)

A senior stylist at Jay Jay’s, Holly has been with NHF Inspire for a year. Last year she undertook a presentation course at Wella and also 2 photo-shoots. She really enjoyed these and is thirsty for more in 2008!  Her highlight of being with the team so far was a photo-shoot she participated in for Your Hair magazine. Holly’s expertise is colouring but also enjoys all aspects of the hair industry. She says, “Hair is great because it is to do with everything around us, how we feel, how we look and if I can make someone look and feel fantastic then I’m happy!” Holly hopes to expand her experience in photo-shoots and stage-work through the NHF. Outside of the Art Team she has worked for the Clynol Protégé Team 2006 and onstage for Clynol at Salon International. Holly has also taken part in a several courses with Lisa Shepherd which she found really valuable and inspiring. The work undertaken for the Clynol Protégé team featured in Hairdressers Journal and she has also had her NHF work featured in various trade publications

Deanna Papp (Hair by Phillip, Hertfordshire)

Hairdressing for 7 years, she has been with NHF Inspire for 3 years and her biggest highlight was putting on a show at The AGM 2007. Deanna specialises in colouring, hair-up and bridal hair and has taken part in various Wella events in the past and also participated in a Paul Mitchell show. Deanna loves learning new techniques and getting the chance to put them into practice! Her time with the NHF has seen her work published in HJ and work undertaken at Hair by Phillip has frequently featured in her local press.

Claire Anne Solman (CF40 Experience, Mid Glamorgan)

Claire has been hairdressing for 21 years and been with the team for 2 years. She owns CF40 Experience and also is the team trainer.  Claire “loves hairdressing as I get to express my creativity, be inspired and inspire others”. Claire has undertaken many opportunities for NHF Inspire including The AGM 2007, Salon International 2006 & 07, British Hairdressing Awards and various photo-shoots and make-over’s for magazines. Her personal favourite was working alongside the likes of Lee Stafford at the AGM ’07. Claire’s expertise is colour, cutting and hair up and she hopes that being with the team will eliminate any weaknesses she may have and also gain new strengths from others in the team. Outside of the NHF Claire has taken part in Bridal fairs, various Wella shows, photo-shoots and Project X 2006. Her work has appeared in local press, and NHF work undertaken has featured in Salon Business, HJ and Hairflair & Beauty. Welsh & National Rugby player Matthew Rees is a frequent visitor to the salon, as is Big Brother 8’s Welsh star Laura. Claire has also worked with Footballers Wives star Sarah Barrand (Shannon). Claire and her salon were short-listed for the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2006.

Chris Cameron

Chris has been hairdressing for 8 years. He has been with NHF Inspire for a year and so far has taken part in photo-shoot and platform work in both London and Istanbul. Chris cites working in Istanbul showcasing NHF Art work as the highlight of his time with the NHF as he loves to travel. As an educator for Joico, Chris has been lucky enough to travel to New York for Joico educational purposes. He has also undertaken platform work for Joico in Glasgow. Chris’s expertise is platform work, cutting, colouring and hair-up. He loves working in the hair industry as it “allows me to continually grow, develop and express my creativity.” He hopes that being in the team will help him to expand on this creativity and also give him the opportunity to do more photographic and seminar work. Chris’s own work outside of the NHF has featured in local press and also in cool London publication Dazed & Confused.

Gary Hunter (Frances Hair and Beauty, Stirling)

Gary describes his role at Frances Hunter salon as officially being “artistic designer, managing director and owner. Unofficially I am the gel that keeps the 25 strong team together, confidante, role model, mentor and general all round good guy!” 2008 will be Gary’s 4^th year in the team and projects undertaken thus far include working at Salon International, working alongside Lee Stafford at The NHF AGM and doing various presenting onstage. Gary says that hairdressing runs through his blood, “I love every aspect of it. I live, breathe and sleep hairdressing.” His expertise is cutting and colouring. Gary hopes that he will gain knowledge from the other team members and also be able to give his own knowledge and educate others in the team. Outside of the NHF Gary has worked on local and charity events which have included music, clothes and choreography shows. He has also worked with Wahl’s Simon Shaw on a personal basis assisting him with his one-man presentations. Gary has organised shows for Adrenalin suppliers when they were launching Fudge into Scotland, and most recently he has worked with Corioliss on-stage at Salon International and has completed a UK tour with them. He is still working with Corioliss creating looks and education. Over the years Gary has worked alongside the likes of Robert Eaton, Errol Douglas and Lee Stafford and hopes to work with such great stylists again. The salon has been a finalist in many awards, including the UK Salon Design Award for the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2007, and are still working towards awards every year.

Alain Le Ray (Le Raze Hair & Beauty)

Heidi McDonald (The Lounge)