Here at Buzby and Blue, we love celebrating talent and achievements. Recently, we had the pleasure of interviewing Ruby about her journey to becoming a finalist in the Goldwell Colour Creatives competition, which is truly inspiring. Here’s what she had to say about her experience, the competition, and what she learned along the way.

Meet Ruby

Ruby has been a dedicated stylist at Buzby and Blue for almost eight years. She’s a principal stylist with a passion for creative hair coloring. Reflecting on her recent experience, Ruby shared,

“I recently entered a colour competition which I really enjoyed and definitely was an amazing experience.”

The Goldwell Colour Creatives Competition

When asked about the competition, Ruby explained,
“I entered last year and didn’t get as far as I did this year. I wasn’t sure about entering again because my confidence was shaken, but my dad and sister encouraged me to give it another shot. They reminded me that it was worth a second chance, and I’m so happy I listened to them.”

The Journey

Ruby detailed her process from inspiration to execution.
“I started by making a montage of photos that inspired me, linking it to fashion shows since my sister works in fashion. I submitted a video explaining my inspiration and love for my career. After the initial submission, we had training days with colour professionals and renowned stylist Casey Coleman, which were incredibly valuable.”
For the final stages, Ruby had to prep her model’s hair, starting with a clean canvas
“My model had natural, virgin hair, which was perfect. I found her through an Instagram ad. She was eager to experiment with a cool colour and was amazing throughout the process.”

Lessons Learned

Ruby shared that this experience pushed her out of her comfort zone, especially in terms of using creative colours.
“I mostly used natural colours before, but this competition made me explore different hues and techniques. It taught me to trust my instincts and push myself even when I’m scared.”
Social media played a big role in Ruby’s preparation.
“I picked up techniques from Instagram tutorials and sought advice from colleagues. Using social media for inspiration is something I think we should all do more.”

Inspiration Behind The Look

Initially, Ruby considered going for a pinky rose gold look, but after the training days, she decided to take a bolder approach.
“I was inspired by mermaid and sea themes, using green tones and a jellyfish cut done by my dad, who’s the manager here. The goal was to ensure the colour and cut blended seamlessly, creating a cohesive look.”

Achieving Success

Reflecting on her achievement, Ruby said,
“It feels amazing to get as far as I did, especially since last year I didn’t even make it past the initial stages. This experience has been a massive confidence boost, showing me that I can achieve more than I thought possible. The photos from the shoot turned out beautifully, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”
Ruby’s journey to becoming a finalist in the Goldwell Colour Creatives competition is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the importance of pushing oneself out of their comfort zone. Her story is an inspiration to all aspiring stylists and creatives. We can’t wait to see what Ruby accomplishes next as she continues to explore new horizons in her career.

Colour by Ruby Friend
Cut by Christopher Friend