Artist Spotlight: Anna Haldane

Meet Anna Haldane (@annahaldanehair) - a brunette specialist and a master of lived-in colour and seamless blends. With years of experience and a sharp eye for detail, she’s become one of Australia’s go-to experts in balayage and colour-melting.

But Anna’s skills don’t stop behind the chair - she’s also a passionate educator, helping stylists refine their craft and understand the science behind great hair. Her dedication to the industry has even earned her a spot as a Top 5 finalist in the 2024 One Shot Hair Awards.

We caught up with Anna to talk about her favourite Foil Me collection, her best advice for hairdressers, and the secret to creating flawless colour.

What is your favourite Foil Me collection?

Anna: “The Butterfly collection—the colour combo and sparkle speak to my soul!”

What advice do you have for hairdressers starting out?

Anna: “Learn the fundamentals of colour science really well and invest your own time and money into education. Don’t rely on employers and/or TAFE to make you a great stylist”

Why are pH levels important in colouring?

Anna: “The understanding of PH levels as a colourist are of extreme importance as they dictate formulations, outcome and longevity. It is also essential to know where your products sit on the PH scale so that you can recommend the right one for your clients’ needs.”

“Hair sits naturally at an acidic 4.5-5.5, and most colouring techniques raise that to an alkaline state which swells the cuticle. If we do not balance it back down post colour service, this will leave the cuticles swollen which results in hair which feels brittle, lacks shine, tangles and becomes matted easily, and our colour will also not have the longevity it should. 

“The absolute best brand on the market to be able to master this knowledge and give your clients the best hair of their lives is without a doubt POD by Ecoheads. They have completely changed the game and are every colourist’s dream come true.”

Do you have a signature style or technique?

Anna: “I am known for my lived-in brunettes, specifically on naturally darker bases levels 5 and below. Over the years, I have developed techniques that allow for seamless melted blends that provide maximum longevity, as they do not require root melting or shadowing post highlighting. The blend and melt comes from the placement and knowing where to break through the different natural (eumelanin and pheomelanin) pigments in the hair.”

What’s your favourite type of colour service to do?

Anna: “My favourite type of colour service at the moment is reversing blonde hair to darker lived-in looks. It is such a creative journey which requires a different customisation for each client. 
But hey, sometimes all you want is a 6N kinda day too.”

How do Foil Me’s foils enhance your work?

Anna: “Foil Me enhances my work in the salon - not just for me, as it creates another level of creativity by choosing which pattern to work with on each client - but it also enhances the clients’ experience by literally having art in their hair. Clients absolutely love Foil Me’s foils!”

Do you have a go-to tip for using Foil Me’s foils?

Anna: “My go-to tip for achieving the best possible result using Foil Me’s foils is to also invest in The Board. By using a colouring board, you will have total control of saturation and placement.”

What’s a memorable transformation you’ve done using Foil Me?

Anna: “A memorable transformation I did using Foil Me was the first time I used The Butterfly collection for my contouring foils when I did a full reversal for one of my clients. 

The pop of green and yellows sitting around the hairline created almost a piece of art on its own, and I posted it on Instagram as a Bridgerton style kinda look.”

From her wealth of knowledge to her contagiously positive personality, there’s no doubting that Anna is a trailblazer in the industry – and a well respected one at that! A big thank you to Anna for sharing her valuable insights with us, it’s been an honour to feature her on the first of many Foil Me Artist Spotlights. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for more to come!