A visionary hairdresser, educator, and entrepreneur, renowned for her creativity and dedication to the hairdressing industry, we’re speaking to Brooke Evans. As the owner of The Grid Collective in Shropshire, Brooke has cultivated a space that blends artistry with innovation, offering bespoke hair services while fostering a collaborative, forward-thinking salon environment. Her talent has earned her industry-wide recognition, including being a Midlands Hairdresser of the Year finalist and a former member of the prestigious FAME Team. Beyond the salon, Brooke is a proud Quif Ambassador, sharing her expertise and passion for colour through education. Her commitment to mentorship and innovation allows her to inspire the next generation of stylists while pushing creative boundaries with cutting-edge techniques.

What are your go to techniques for achieving the best balayage?

For me, achieving the perfect balayage requires a combination of techniques rather than relying on just one approach. Every client has a different texture, colour history, and desired outcome, so tailoring the application method is key to creating a seamless and natural-looking balayage.

I love combining techniques such as blending freehand painting with foilyage, freehand painting allows for a soft, sunkissed effect, while foilyage enhances brightness and lift in areas that need more definition. This combination of techniques creates a beautiful contrast while maintaining a natural blend.

I also like to incorporate babylights to create delicate, fine highlights that seamlessly transition into the balayage. Babylights add depth and dimension without creating harsh lines, helping the colour grow out naturally. I love using this technique on clients who want a low maintenance balayage that still looks polished over time.

Another key element is feathering the colour at the roots to create a soft transition, avoiding harsh demarcation lines. This ensures that the balayage looks effortlessly blended, whether the client prefers a subtle enhancement or a more dramatic transformation.

I always customise the placement of highlights based on the client’s hair length, face shape, and natural movement. Strategic placement enhances the clients features and creates a natural, multi-dimensional effect, but also offers a bespoke look every time.

By combining these techniques, I can achieve a beautifully bespoke balayage for each client. The key is personalisation, ensuring that every balayage is tailored to the individual client.”

When it comes to creating bespoke colour application for clients, Brooke also loves scalp bleaching.

One of the most personalised colour services I offer is scalp bleaching. This technique has been growing in popularity, and what makes it so exciting is that no two applications are ever the same. Every client has unique preferences, hair conditions, and maintenance goals, which allows me to make tailored adjustments each time they come in.

What I love about scalp bleaching is the versatility it provides. Whether it’s refining the tone, adjusting the level of brightness, or incorporating creative colour panels, there’s always an opportunity to customise the look. Some clients prefer a clean, icy platinum, while others enjoy softer, more lived-in blondes with subtle warmth. The beauty of this technique lies in its adaptability – I can modify the tone each session to match the client’s evolving style and skin tone.

To add even more dimension and uniqueness, I often incorporate different colour placement techniques.

Strategic colour blocking, for instance, allows me to create bold statement looks by adding contrasting or complementary shades to specific sections of the hair. Hidden panels of colour can also provide an unexpected pop, perfect for clients who want something fun, yet versatile.

My goal is to always to create a look that is completely bespoke to each client, whether they want a classic platinum, a pastel-toned finish, or something more creative with colour panels. By continuously tweaking placement and tonality, I can ensure that every client leaves with a colour that feels fresh, unique, and perfectly suited to them.”

How do you manage a busy column while avoiding burnout?

It’s a challenge, especially as a self-employed stylist. My schedule is incredibly full, but I’ve learned that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential – particularly since having a young family.

To achieve this balance, I limit my salon days to just three per week. While those days are fully booked and intensely busy, this structured schedule allows me to maximise productivity without experiencing burnout. By concentrating my appointments into fewer days, I can provide high-quality service to my clients while still having time to recharge and spend with my family.

Beyond the salon, I also work as an educator for Quif, a role that fuels my creativity and passion for the industry. I take on this responsibility one to three times a month, which keeps my career dynamic and fulfilling without overwhelming my schedule. Education allows me to step away from the salon chair while still engaging with my craft in a meaningful way.

For me, time is just as valuable as financial gain. It’s not just about working more but about working smarter not harder, optimising the hours I do spend behind the chair. I ensure my appointments are well-organised, and I remain intentional about my time, avoiding unnecessary overbooking that could lead to exhaustion.