“Live life to the full, enjoy every moment and don’t take anything for granted.”
These are the words that Chapel stylist Georgie Evans lives by. Whether she’s catching up with friends, travelling to the four corners of the globe, or relaxing with her french bulldog Frankie, Marlow’s resident stylist knows just how to appreciate the small things. Having recently joined us, we sat down with Georgie to get to know her a little better.
So Georgie, can you tell us a little about how you got into hairdressing?
I’ve been hairdressing my whole life! I started when I was just 13 as a Saturday girl, sweeping the floors or making teas and so on, and I’ve worked my way up from there. My first salon was this small, independent one in Devon — and I did my training there too — but after that, I wanted to keep growing and learn more so I moved to Reading and joined Headmasters.
I stayed there for ten years and loved it, but after a while, the atmosphere changed and I wasn’t enjoying my work any more. I always had back to back appointments and with only 45 minutes to spend on a client, it left me with no time to breathe — that’s when I found the Chapel.
How did you come across The Chapel?
I was looking for a change of scene, and an ad popped up on my Instagram feed. The Chapel was recruiting for hairstylists. As soon as I clicked through to the website, I knew I had found the place for me. The ethos of the brand was a breath of fresh air. Especially the idea of conversation, not consultation. Being able to spend time discussing what someone wants and needs, and allowing guests to take the time to pause — I realised that this is what I had been missing for so long. So I threw my application into the mix, hoping for the best. And the best happened!
How have you grown as a stylist since joining The Chapel?
Since working here, I’ve learnt so much. The Chapel value the time you spend with your guest, but they also really value you as a team member and part of the company. It’s allowed me to have space to grow and develop my craft, I’ve loved that personal aspect of it. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit and guest-spot at other salons too, and everywhere else has been the same. Sometimes when you come in as a new stylist to a salon, people can be a bit stand-offish, but I’ve found everyone here is so friendly and welcoming. It makes all the difference.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
At the moment I’d say my best ideas come from the inspirational stylists I work alongside at The Chapel. It’s so interesting because we’re all from such different backgrounds, so we all have very different experiences. There’s a real creative environment here, we’re always giving each other tips and tricks we’ve picked up or bouncing ideas off each other. It really gives you motivation and spurs you on.
Other than that, I typically find inspiration for styles on Instagram and other social media platforms, especially Redken’s Instagram account. That being said, I try not to pay too much attention to trends, I find that they can get quite samey — I prefer to offer something a bit different to my guests, give them something new and fresh to try.
Can you share your best stylist secret?
I always say that when you’re going to invest in hair care products, if you spend the money on a really good shampoo and conditioner, it will look after you. It’s so important to get those bases right to perfect the perfect haircare routine — if you lay solid foundations, then you can build pretty much anything on top. A personal favourite at the moment is Shu Uemura Colour Lustre shampoo and conditioner. I’m recommending it to anyone who will listen!
Cutting or Colouring? What’s your go-to?
I’m a colour girl through and through. Getting my L’Oreal Colour Expert qualification was a turning point I think. It gave me the confidence to experiment more and I feel like I’ve really come into my own with colouring. I love getting creative with colours. At the moment I’m particularly enjoying all the pastel shades and quirky tones. I think summer is the perfect time to give something different a go and I’m always encouraging my guests to try it.
What’s one standout moment for you as a hairdresser?
Oh, there have been so many! I think I’d have to say the time when, before I worked at The Chapel, the creative director of Electric took me with him on a shoot day for a magazine. I was given the opportunity to assist him in styling the models’ hair. I found it so interesting to see how a creative photoshoot runs and everything that goes on behind the scenes.
We’ve loved getting to Georgie a little better. For some hairspiration of your own, follow Georgie’s Instagram page or visit our blog. In the meantime, pop in for a chat with Georgie and our other stylists by getting in touch with our team.
