Transformational hair: The power of a major cut or colour change
Discover how a dramatic restyle can change everything.
The phrase ‘New Year, new you’ gets thrown around a lot, but when it comes to hair, a January makeover truly can make you feel like a whole new person.
“A hair transformation can really boost your confidence. It can change the way people see themselves and the way other people see them,” says senior colourist Steven Kamara.
“And that’s what people want,” adds senior director Siobhan Baynes, who says lots of clients have been embracing shorter hair recently. “A lot of people are going from quite long hair to bob-length. And then they think, ‘I'm going to change up the colour as well,’ so a lot of people are going from quite solid colour to something that's got a little bit more longevity.” That means multi-tonal balayage or the colour melting trend that’s going to be huge in 2026.
While a major hair makeover can be daunting, with the Paul Edmonds London team, you know you’ll be in safe hands. “Clients can be a bit hesitant, but once they've done that colour change or restyle, they say, ‘Oh my god, you were so right,’” Steven says.
Here, Steven and Siobhan explain how they approach transformational cuts and colour revamps, and the factors you should consider if you’re mulling a big hair change…
WHAT MAKES A GREAT HAIR TRANSFORMATION?
When a client comes into the salon and says they want to significantly change their hair cut or colour, there’s usually an underlying reason.
“Maybe they've had through a break-up or are getting divorced,” says Siobhan, who recommends waiting a few months after a relationship split before any big hair change. “They might be starting a new job so want to look more professional, or getting married so they want to grow their hair.”
Other times, it’s a case of feeling stuck in a rut and wanting to shake things up, Steven says. “Sometimes it's nice to step back, have a look at the client and think, you know what, we've been doing this look for a long time, it would be nice to have a bit of a change.”
Whatever the reason, he finds that clients are often shocked at how much a new shade can change their overall look. “Certain colours can draw all the warmth out of someone’s skin, whereas another colour can make somebody's eyes pop, warm their skin tone and brighten their face.”
Julia Roberts is an example of someone who, despite her Hollywood good looks, doesn’t suit cool-toned blonde hair. “She went blonde for a film and it was a bit of a disaster,” Steven says. “Her eyes don't pop and her complexion lost it’s natural, healthy colour.”
Our colourists are experts when it comes to determining whether a cool or warm shade will complement your skin tone. Whatever end result you desire, they will customise the colour to ensure a flattering finish.
WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER BEFORE A MAJOR HAIR CUT?
Our stylists always encourage clients to bring celebrity or social media photos to a consultation when discussing a bold new cut so they can talk through how that style might be adapted for the client.
“First, we have to look at their face shape,” Siobhan says. “People often want their hair to look like Jennifer Aniston’s, but if she's got a very different face shape to the client we have to consider that. Plus, is their hair the same texture? Is it finer? If so, they might need a a few extensions in it to thicken it out.”
Next, she talks to the client about their lifestyle and how often they wash and style their hair. “Someone might show me a photo of an amazing bob from a red carpet photo, so you know it’s been styled by a hairdresser. To look like that, they would have style it every day, so it’s a question of do they have time?”
If you’re thinking of trying a 2026 short hair trend such as the bob or bixie cut, Siobhan has a couple of clever tricks to help you decide. “If you can, go and try wig of that style and see how you feel, or upload a photo and use AI to try different styles.”
Ultimately, however, remember that hair will always grow back. By taking the plunge and trying a shorter cut, you might discover your new signature style and never look back.
HOW CAN YOU SAFELY DO A MAJOR COLOUR CHANGE?
While choosing a shade that suits your skin is important, the number one consideration before a big colour change is the condition of your hair.
“If you're converting someone from a blonde to a brunette or red, it's a lot easier than when you're converting someone from dark hair to blonde,” Steven says. “Sometimes, we can do a big transformation and it won't really affect the hair condition, but we've got to be realistic about what we can achieve.”
It may be that the desired colour result can only be achieved over the course of a few appointments. “Sometimes there's a little bit of a journey,” Steven says, or he will recommend a series of K18 treatments until the strands are strong enough to be coloured. “We always use K18 as part of colour change appointments too. It’s a bonding treatment that you spray into the hair, and leave for five minutes before applying the colour. Then there's a shampoo and a conditioner that is blow dried into the hair to seal the treatment.”
WHY CHOOSE PAUL EDMONDS LONDON FOR YOUR HAIR TRANSFORMATION?
Because our colouring and styling teams are so well respected and have decades of experience in the film, TV and fashion industries, Paul Edmonds London is known as one of the best salons in London for hair transformations.
“We don’t just do the colour change, we give you the whole package, from expert advice at the consultation, prepping the hair with K18, and explaining everything you need to know for maintaining colour longevity,” Steven says. “And we always ask the client to come back for a follow-up appointment two weeks after to assess their hair and see how it's fading.”
Some colour fading will naturally occur after a big colour change, but to keep it to a minimum, Steven recommends stocking up on the right products. “A colour protecting or bonding shampoo is important, such as Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset. If you’ve gone from blonde to a brunette, a pigmented shampoo helps, something gentle that is not gonna strip the colour out.” A heat protection spray is also a must for blondes.
For long to short hair transformations, you’ll need to switch up your product selection too, Siobhan says. “Normally if someone goes shorter, for example with a choppy or bouncy bob, they want a bit of volume. I love the Oway Volumizing Root Spray or the Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray, which I use for root lift.”
For mid-length or longer looks, such as Hailey Bieber’s recently unveiled take on the classic Rachel cut, you want to add body while nourishing the strands.
“The Shu Uemura Izumi Tonic with rice water is great for creating the illusion of fullness for longer hair, as long as your don’t overload it,” Siobhan says. “I always encourage clients to prolong their hair by using a bit of dry shampoo or texture spray. The Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is great because you can lift the roots at the same time.”
Total reset
New Year is all about fresh starts, so why not reinvent yourself with a cool hair cut or colour makeover – or both?
With a bit of celebrity inspiration and expert advice from the pros at Paul Edmonds London, you can usher in your next aesthetic era with a chic hair transformation while maintaining that all-important hair health.
Ready to embrace a new look? Book your next appointment at Paul Edmonds London.
