Chinney Yeap knows a few things about creating fabulous looks without damage. The stylist and owner of Salute Hair and Day Spa in Wellington recently won New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year at Australian Hair Fashion Awards for the second year in a row.
While the portfolio she created for the awards (seen below) involved more creative looks, in the salon she regularly helps clients update their style and maintain the health of their locks.
Though trends may come and go – she’s a fan of the bob right now – Yeap says there’s one perennial look that will always be her favourite: “Glossy, healthy hair for the win, for every season I say!”
We caught up with Yeap about hair trends right now and how to keep your ‘do in great shape over the summer months.
What are your favourite hair trends and styles this season?
I am curl obsessed. I am loving all the products coming through that help those curly girls to keep their tresses tame and hydrated.
The bob is back! We all love a sexy bob and this cut has stood the test of time, with multiple versions to suit everyone.
Bangs [or fringes] are another great trend with varying versions. I recommend chatting with your stylist to see which works best for your face shape.
Hair accessories are still big too. This is a great way to tizzy up a ponytail, bun or any other hair style. Have fun with it and get creative.
What’s one new thing we should try with our hair in 2025?
If you have never had a colour, this could be your thing for 2025! Start subtle and talk to your hairdresser on the right tones to suit you.
As mentioned, bangs are an amazing way to have a massive change without over-committing to a big haircut and losing all of your length.
If you are brave and ready for a leap then get a bob!
How does your competition work inspire what you do in the salon?
These big creative competitions are obviously not necessarily the kind of commercial looks we create in salon on a day-to-day basis, but they fill my creative cup and get me excited and energised!
You can bring an element of creative colouring in (salon) with techniques and colour placement, but probably not to competition level as that is more timely and costly for the client. But if they are game why not?!
Some are just very strong haircuts, such as the bi-level long-bob look I had in my current collection. Some clients are super open, which is even more fun!
What challenges are common for hair in summer?
The biggest challenges most people face are a lack of moisture that leads to dry hair, colour fade, managing the effects of humidity, and for some, chlorine build-up.
My favourite for combating these would be a great mask like the Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask or Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector Treatment.
For colour fading I love the Moroccanoil Protect and Prevent Spray and Moroccanoil Treatment Light partnered with the Moroccanoil Frizz Shield Spray.
A great one for regular swimmers is the Color WOW Dream Filter Pre Shampoo Spray. It helps remove all the mineral from your hair before you wash, and it brightens up blonde hair too.
How can we keep styled hair looking great with the humidity?
Moroccan oil have an amazing range that smooths and defrizzes hair from a blow wave cream to the antifrizz spray or even just the argan oil on its own!
Another favourite product would be the Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream. It does exactly what it says and it goes into dry hair, it’s actually pretty incredible.
