Identify a few of the world’s most well-known supermodels. Naomi Campbell. Kate Moss. Add royalty like Princess Diana, celebrities and Asia’s most famous socialites to the combo and also you’ve received your self the A-list clientele of Kim Robinson.
The movie star hairstylist – who fees $2,000 per haircut– is in Singapore to introduce his latest enterprise: his first in-house hair care vary. Concocted in Italy, the Hair Rejuvenation Method (HRF) assortment was borne out of his 45 years price of expertise working with Asian hair. The formulations particularly deal with the wants of Asian tresses and was rigorously examined on an extended listing of his VIP shoppers over time.
Australian-born Robinson opened his first Hong Kong salon in 2002, after honing his expertise below the tutelage of mentors equivalent to Vidal Sassoon and Alexandre de Paris. His hair care line has been a very long time coming, and is the results of many years of listening to his shoppers.
For an hour, we sit in a non-public room in his salon as he speaks with absolute candour about his life, how girls ought to do extra for themselves, and the inspiration behind HRF.
Learn extra within the candid trade with Kim Robinson under.
How did you change into the Kim Robinson?
To change into something, whether or not it’s a hairstylist, clothier, or journalist, it’s worthwhile to have ardour for what you do. After 50 years of being on this business, I nonetheless find it irresistible as a result of I get to fulfill unbelievable girls. If you happen to ask me how I received right here, it’s arduous work, perseverance, ardour and expertise.
I’ve labored on so many extremely well-known girls. I’ve been all around the world to unbelievable locations with them. I by no means get caught up in it and take it as a right as a result of all of it can disappear tomorrow. We’re solely right here for such a short while. You’ve received to benefit from the second.
However how did this ambition kick off?
I began after I was 14. I went to the salon with my Mum and I cherished the environment. The man that owned the salon gave me a job on Saturdays. I cherished it a lot and finally he provided me an apprenticeship. My father received mad and stated I needed to go to college first and check out different issues like being a physician, lawyer, dentist earlier than I can change into a hairstylist. My boss took pity on me and my Mum nagged my dad till he let me go away faculty and change into a hairstylist.
However he was very bitterly upset as a result of he’d by no means had all these alternatives that he wished to provide me. Since I had that stress from my dad, I at all times felt that I needed to show myself.
How so?
Success comes with its stress.
Climbing up is one factor. However when you rise up there, and have been on this place for thus a few years, how do you keep it? There are such a lot of gifted folks on the market from a brand new technology. Individuals like me change into the previous technology.
However I’m nonetheless serious about how we talk with folks and what the brand new technology is searching for. So many issues we’ve got on the planet right this moment is lack of communication. It’s the identical in hairdressing. Individuals go to the salon with an expectation and go away disappointment so many occasions and find yourself giving up. That’s why so many women on the road don’t have any fashion with their hair. They’re too scared to attempt one thing new, in order that they’ve all received related size – lengthy as attainable – that’s perhaps a bit lighter or wavier however there’s no particular look that plenty of women have. That is one thing that hairdressers must learn to talk.
What introduced you to Hong Kong years again?
I used to be dropped at Hong Kong with a gaggle of salons that have been new within the Asian market. They wished to convey on younger hair stylists and I had simply completed my apprenticeship. I used to be 19 years previous. I got here to Hong Kong and hated it. It was so British. I’d come from Australia and I used to be younger. I wished to be with different younger folks. There have been no younger Westerners. The folks have been snobbish. I didn’t prefer it in any respect so I left and went to London. I stayed a yr and completed my contract. One way or the other, I got here again Hong Kong and realised that it’s an up-and-coming place. I made a decision to remain and open a salon.
There have been no attractive salons on the time. I wished to convey all these issues they’d in Europe: Somebody who might do strong make-up, facials and another person who might convey you lunch. We have been very profitable from then on. I had a imaginative and prescient. I had a dream and I wished to stay it. I don’t wish to settle for second finest. I don’t wish to settle for the bronze medal. The gold medal is my character.
Inform us extra about HRF.
I realised that we’ve got an issue right here in Asia.
We now have different needs with our weight loss plan, our way of life, and the climate. So many merchandise have been designed within the West. We’ve been making an attempt to realize a glance with merchandise that have been by no means designed for us within the first place. Most of them are nice on nice, mushy Western hair. However whenever you’ve received coarser or stronger Asian hair, plenty of the merchandise simply don’t work. It might look good when your hair is moist ,however when your hair is dry or whenever you fashion it at dwelling, it doesn’t look any totally different. So you retain shopping for merchandise. You attempt all of it and also you simply don’t know what works for you.
I believed that since I’ve all this expertise, I ought to work with analysis chemists. I discovered one of the best on the planet in Italy. After I met them, they usually defined to me concerning the merchandise, I advised them that the Kim Robinson buyer just isn’t searching for a deal. They’re searching for one thing that’s distinctive or particular. They need one of the best that cash can purchase they usually’re not silly. I don’t wish to put my identify on the identical factor that you could purchase at a drugstore and simply declare it as mine. I would like one thing that’s totally different.
However this was a course of, and it occurred 5 years in the past. I began on this challenge even longer than that, however I couldn’t get anybody to supply small quantities. Ultimately, I discovered somebody that may do small portions, though it was dearer. I additionally wished all these elements which are going to make a distinction to hair.
What’s the principal factor that HRF targets?
I found by way of my expertise that the majority girls have sticky or have oily scalps fairly rapidly in humidity. A lot of the merchandise on the market could make your hair really feel good whenever you wash it, however additionally they coat the scalp so that you’re by no means actually getting it clear. Many Kim Robinson shoppers have pores and skin irritation and are itchy on a regular basis due to how these merchandise coat their pores and skin.
My medical doctors and my analysis chemists stated that we must always deal with the hair and the scalp otherwise. We now have to verify the scalp is clear. This primary vary is for anyone who desires to have a clear scalp.
I initially wished this hair care line to be for hair loss. It occurs due to hormones whenever you age however there’s nothing {that a} shampoo can do. Manufacturers promote lies and desires. Shampoos won’t develop extra hair or cease your hair from falling. However a wholesome scalp will assist and that’s one thing we are able to show. If you happen to haven’t received a wholesome scalp, you’re extra prone to have hair loss or have points with hair. Our scalp cleansers correctly balances the pH steadiness .
We examined on our celebrities and VIP shoppers in Singapore and in Hong Kong. After we received unfavorable suggestions, we restarted and reformulated new formulation. It was a strategy of elimination till we received one thing that ticked all of the containers. The shoppers find it irresistible. It’s our home shampoo that we’ve been utilizing for fairly some time right here in Singapore. It’s a luxurious product with one of the best elements that cash can purchase. It’s known as HRF hair decreasing rejuvenation system as a result of what I wish to do is rejuvenate our shoppers right here regularly
Inform us extra concerning the Vitamin Plus Conditioning Therapy.
This one is a hair therapy that doesn’t put on your hair down. It doesn’t include silicones and comes with a brush you utilize within the bathe. You need to use it as a masks and go away on for longer however nobody’s received time. Everybody desires one thing quick. Apply it within the bathe, brush it by way of with this brush and rinse it off after three minutes.
How usually ought to we use the HRF merchandise?
It’s as much as the person. However I’d assume you might do with a cleanse on a regular basis. If in case you have lengthy hair, you need it to odor contemporary and clear. With some merchandise, it’s very heavy on the hair and may construct up. That coating leaves an odour, and I can odor it after I blow dry the hair. You don’t wish to have that subject. Our scalp cleanser helps be sure to are cleaning correctly.
What are your hopes for the vary?
I’m not the chemist or the physician. I simply know concerning the formulations from numerous testing and I hearken to what folks inform me. That’s how I’ve realized so many issues from a few of the world’s most discerning girls. I pay attention, and I study. Every thing we do from the way in which we minimize and color, is for a discerning girl. Hopefully, we are able to make a distinction with this product. Since we’re already utilizing it on our Kim Robinson shoppers, I would like it to be accessible to extra folks.
So what do you assume Asian girls are usually not doing sufficient for his or her hair?
I don’t wish to say Asian girls however girls basically. I feel girls are likely to put themselves on sale. They prioritise every little thing else however themselves. Let’s say they’re married they usually’ve received youngsters. They’ll purchase the children a brand new cellphone, and regardless of the husband wants too. However she gained’t purchase that for herself as a result of she desires to. She’ll purchase it as a result of it’s on sale.
I do know this for a truth, as a result of I’m with girls on a regular basis in my life. I feel it’s unhappy. I feel girls ought to have a steadiness. You want your ‘me time’. Don’t disrespect your self. Don’t purchase one thing as a result of it’s on sale. Purchase it since you want it otherwise you need it. Have a greater focus. Take a while off and go have a facial or a therapeutic massage. I feel girls are out of steadiness fully. It’s not simply cultural. It’s worldwide.
I’ve been on this business for thus a few years and have heard so many heartbreaking tales from girls about their husbands playing around. These girls have golden handcuffs as a result of they’ve received youngsters and may’t go away. They’re caught. They’ve misplaced themselves. They put every little thing into every little thing else besides themselves. Someday, the children develop up and what’s going to you will have? So it’s worthwhile to spend money on your self, whether or not it’s schooling, meditation, or getting an ideal haircut that you just look good with on a regular basis.
What’s the one factor girls must have?
Get an ideal haircut so that you look good on a regular basis. In order that whenever you get up within the morning, you’ve received a mode along with your hair. One thing that makes you are feeling empowered and assured.
If you happen to really feel that confidence, folks will discover you. You should respect your self and at all times have your personal priorities proper and also you want ‘me time’.
It is best to really feel lovely. Daily. After I communicate to my shoppers, that is what they inform me. They get stopped on the road all around the world by strangers asking who does their hair. They’ve received a mode. However plenty of girls don’t and have plain-looking hair. They give the impression of being very drained or like they don’t attempt. They’ll say they’ve received youngsters, a husband and a full-time job. They don’t have time to do something. I feel it’s unhappy, actually. It’s a considering handed on by way of generations and it’s making them really feel powerless.
I bear in mind Princess Diana stated to me, “Oh, my God, I want you have been with me at all times. Are you able to come tomorrow?”. I requested her if anybody ever says no to her. She stated to me, “Sure, my husband.”
I felt horrible. She was a princess however she was so susceptible. I felt for her. As I really feel for each girl. After I discuss to girls, I at all times ask when’s the final time you felt lovely. They at all times say they’ve received time they usually’ve received to go to work or take care of the children.
What do you counsel they do?
Discover a hairdresser that may pay attention talk about your points with you and make you are feeling empowered. Be certain that they ask you questions equivalent to how and whenever you wash your hair. Questions like do you fashion it or what kind of face form you will have. Ensure they provide suggestions primarily based on that.
At Kim Robinson, we minimize hair dry as a result of that’s how your hair is often. It’s at all times about ensuring there’s a fashion to it. That’s what you’re paying for and that’s what lasts lengthy after leaving the salon. After I minimize my shoppers’ hair, they inform me on a regular basis that they’ll handle their hair afterwards.
What’s behind the HRF line are all this stuff. All hairdressers wish to put their names on issues and wish to be well-known. However it’s to do with every little thing that we do. It’s known as listening, asking questions and discovering out what works for the consumer.
What do you dream of doing subsequent at Kim Robinson?
I’m dwelling my dream. I’m doing this product vary as a result of it’s one thing that I’ve wished to do for thus lengthy and it was troublesome to do. I needed to try to see what occurs. If I don’t do it now, it’ll by no means occur. In any other case, I’ll at all times look again and assume I ought to have, would have, might have. I don’t wish to ever have regrets. If it really works rather well, then I’m fortunate. And if it doesn’t, then that’s it.
You get to some extent in your life that you’ll look again and never at all times too distant sooner or later, since you don’t have the vitality. I can’t be touring on personal jets my complete life and flying to rich folks or celebrities on a regular basis. You get to some extent the place you wish to keep dwelling. I don’t wish to go travelling a lot. COVID has actually modified my considering rather a lot. All of us have totally different points now. You prioritise what’s essential to you.
The Kim Robinson Hair Rejuvenation Formula vary is accessible at Kim Robinson, 391 Orchard Highway, #02 – 12, Singapore 238872
