Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

2 2 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I W here there's passion, there's a career. As my father once said to me, you only need to be good at one thing in life. To be really good at one thing is no mean feat, especially when you're talking about a skill which incorporates creativity, drive, passion and a way with people. Lee Stafford has all these qualities in abundance. With his work ethics and flair for what looks good on each individual, it's no surprise that he has conquered the hair styling world. As well as creating the couture cut for his lucky clients, he has his own salons and a product line, including hair tools. Allowing us to take home a little piece of the man's magic to style our own tresses is a treat in itself. I admire his philosophy that a haircut is not just a cut – he wants to take into consideration so many factors, from the client's lifestyle and bone structure through to their colourings and hair goals. All these elements go hand in hand when chopping and moving the precious strands surrounding our faces. He recently added to his extensive haircare line a beach-inspired Sea Salt Collection, and I instantly wanted to find out more. So I asked Lee about his beginnings in the hair world, finding out some amazing advice in the process. Lee has discovered himself and learned how hard work and natural talent can make a real difference in the longevity of a career. How did you come to be involved in the world of hairdressing/styling? I started out when my mum asked me what I wanted to do and as I didn’t know, she suggested becoming a hairdresser. Her reasons were that I hate the cold, I love women and I don’t like getting my hands dirty! Initially I didn’t take any conventional courses. In fact, my mum took me to an interview at a salon in the King’s Road where I became a junior, which was a great way to learn. Then six months later I began cutting hair in my mum’s dining room. I continued to do so for a few years before starting up my first salon in Leigh- on-Sea. It was only later that I went on to do every hairdressing course possible, which fuelled my desire to be the very best in my field. Are there any well-known personalities that you're dying to get your hands on? I would love to style the Queen. What Lee Stafford product can you not live without? My Lee Stafford Heat Protection Shine Mist. I’m always using this spray on myself and my clients to protect their hair from heat damage. Your newest release is the Sea Salt Collection. What was the inspiration for this line? I wanted to create a product that would re-create that big, beachy textured hair we get when on holiday by the sea! It is one of the most requested hairstyles, so it was only natural to create a product line to help clients achieve it! Plus we really wanted to experiment with different formulations and textures, which is why we created a shampoo with large visible sea salt crystals to exfoliate the scalp, and a foam conditioner! What has been your greatest professional achievement? Winning British Men’s Hairdresser of the Year for the first time was such a huge achievement, and it really launched my career. It was so unexpected and my family and friends all stormed the stage. They were so delighted for me! It really was one of the best moments of my life and the doors it opened literally have made my career. L E E S T A F F O R D