INTO THE LIFE AND CAREER OF HAIRBAE
HAIRBAE
“EVERY DAY IS A NEW ADVENTURE! EVERY DAY IS A NEW CLIENT AND A NEW PERSONALITY. A NEW HAIRSTYLE OR EVEN A NEW COLOUR TECHNIQUE. THIS INDUSTRY IS EVER CHANGING AND I’M READY TO JUMP ON TO EACH NEW TREND. IT KEEPS ME HUMBLE AND LEARNING. I LOVE MY JOB AS I GET TO MEET SO MANY NEW PEOPLE WHO COME FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE. I’M SO HUMBLED TO BE A SMALL PART OF THEIR JOURNEY. AND I LOVE SHARING MY JOURNEY WITH ALL MY PRECIOUS CLIENTS.
IN THIS WORLD WHERE NEGATIVITY THRIVES, MY SALON CHAIR IS MY SAFE PLACE. YOU CAN BE YOU, BECAUSE, I’M DEFINITELY GOING TO BE ME.”
What’s the story behind your name ‘HairBae’?
Bae means ‘before anyone else”. This is what I wanted, hair before everything else. I want the client to feel like I’m their bae.
How was life as a child?
Growing up with three brothers wasn’t easy. I wasn’t taken seriously as I was the second child, I’m the odd one out. Circumstances where such that I had to grow up fast. I took on the challenge and never walked away from hard work. I understood the tough times my parents were facing, and I knew I had to at least hold my own, to take that burden off my parents.
What were your dreams?
I wanted to travel. Not abroad, but even a trip to Nuwara Eliya would get me worked up with excitement. I wanted to explore and experience new cultures and widen my horizons in life. There is so much more to the world that just the four walls around me.
When did you discover your passion?
One day, when I was about 7-8 years of age, I was engaged in my monthly chore of colouring my grandma’s grey hair. It was in that moment when I realized in my heart, “Hey, I’m actually enjoying this.”
The famous saying, ‘Mom knows best’, has so much truth to it. Despite our difficult times, she always bought me a Barbie Doll, and this collection kept growing, as I kept styling their hair. I realized my passion each time.
Where did you start your journey?
I started at Crown. I owe a big thank you to Ravi Wickremenayaka, for recognising a talent in the simple DeliFrance barista. He plucked me out of serving tables to working at a highly regarded salon, and that was my first salon job. Here, I learned the basics and the foundations of hairdressing. And of course, André Estefan Joachim, empowered me with strength and wisdom to survive and achieve in this brutal service industry. All these people have shown me great love and support.
I come from a hard and tough background, and have been no stranger to heartache and disappointment, but these inspiring individuals have helped me become who I am today. I came not only from sweeping salon floors, but also watching people sweep them, the climb is so tough in an unforgiving industry. It was only after two years that I was allowed to wash a client’s hair. But every single colour bowl that had to be washed day in and day out was one step closer to the bigger picture. Hard work, consistency and willpower guides you through, even when you get shot down.
How is the beauty industry of Sri Lanka?
There can definitely be a break through. We still remain quite scared and reserved, always putting out ideas with a rope attached, ready to be pulled right back into the shadows if the people dislike it. We step on our ability to be creative. We have so much to celebrate with a rich culture, but we still look to the Western world for trends. Be the trendsetter and not the follower. I’m truly grateful that this industry is making strides quite more than before, but the journey ahead remains long.
What is style?
A freedom of expression!
Prints and patterns never bothered me anyway. I dress with bold statement shirts and clean-cut black pants with my can’t-live-without black boots rocketing my confidence over the moon. My sense of style empowers my confidence, and sense of control. I pick what I wear, and I chose my mood for each day.
Believe me when I tell you that trends and fashion statement pieces do not scare me.
What’s your client styling process?
Firstly, I get to know the client and their hair, and a glimpse into their personality through conversation. Every client is beautiful, I’m enhancing that beauty. My goal is to make the client love their hair with an added confidence boost.
What roles does hair play in first impressions?
It plays a major role. Hair is the crown that you never take off, so make sure it’s polished and on point.
How do we determine the perfect style/ colour?
It’s a difficult process, not as simple as picking a colour you like. Some colours make your skin look washed out, while others leave your eyes looking dull. The right colour will make you Glow and your eyes stand out. This is crucial to picking the perfect colour.
90% of my clients want me to do what I think is best.
What’s the big dream now?
I am living my dream right now.
In these tough times the world is facing, being a reputed hairdresser in an Asian country, with the work I get, I am doing what I love as a career.
Every single new client inspires me daily, every new bride motivates me daily, as I hear the following words,
“Shane you are the best. Do what you think is best for me.”
Who’s the dream celebrity you wish to style?
Ever since I started watching Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, I’ve just wanted to be a part of it;
backstage with all that energy, creativity and the rush.
How was 2020 for you?
It was pretty rough. My job is such that I can’t do it online or from home. But I’m grateful that I still have my job and I’m so blessed to keep doing what I love. The plan going forward is to still do what I love, but also be cautious, as everyone’s safety is the key priority now.
Hairbae’s Top Hair Care Tips
- Don’t wash your hair with hot water
- Don’t go to bed with wet hair
- Find the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type
- Shower only 3 times a week at most
- Ladies, get a hair trim every 03 months
By NITHYA DE LIVERA
