SECRETS UNLOCKED
Who: Leigh Keepa, creative and salon director at Stephen Marr
What: R+Co Global Educators’ Summit Where: Hudson Loft, Downtown Los Angeles When: March, 2018
Created in the US by a trio of the world’s top stylists, R+Co haircare and styling products reflect the innovative minds of founders Garren, Thom Priano and Howard McLaren. That the ‘R’ stands for ‘rogue’ is a good indication of the left-of-centre thinking that makes their range so exciting. Leigh
Keepa recently headed to LA for an R+Co educators’ summit, bringing home new ideas and techniques.
“Getting to travel to Los Angeles was huge for me. I was one of 15 stylists to be invited from all over the world. It served as a type of ‘training the trainers’ event, as well as a way for all of us to pretty much audition to see if we could be taken on in that kind of role. It wasn’t until the final day that we found out if we passed. Thank God we all made it!
“It was incredible to meet the brand’s founders, who are absolute legends in the industry. R+Co is really a collective of some of the most forward-thinking, rule-bending hairstylists in the business. It was challenging and exciting at the same time.” says Leigh. “There was a real focus on the consultation process, as opposed to trends. [So] how to learn as much as possible about the person sitting in front of you,” he continues. “Knowing history was also vital — the influences of all types of pop culture on hair and what incredible shapes have endured. “I got to play with some new products coming out of the R+Co stable that are so user-friendly. I loved the Television Shampoo and Conditioner, which is for all types of hair and imparts an incredibly luxe feeling after every wash. Dart is a new pomade in stick form that is great for textured styles and taming flyaways with zero residue. Acid Wash is another favourite, a deep cleanser that removes product build-up without stripping away natural oil or colour.
It’s perfect for curly hair.”
Leigh’s biggest takeaway from the trip? “Know the rules and know them well, then go away and play with them. See how far you can push them to create something amazing.”