Meet The Cristophe Circle: colorist Rashida Lambert
Colorist Rashida Lambert’s personality is as vibrant as sun-kissed summer highlights! She has a serious passion and love for color. Having been an artist as a child, a canvas could no longer hold her creativity and she began experimenting with coloring her own hair; blue, pink, and platinum blonde. Eventually she took her experimentation to another (professional) level and graduate from color training programs with Wella, Redken, and L’Oreal. A color designer at Cristophe Salon in Washington DC, she has this to say about her experience; “I like to laugh and enjoy my clients and I am grateful to those around me who give me a chance to do my thing. Nothing gives me the excitement, energy or the same freedom as creating for my clients. People make the best canvas.”
Read our Meet The Cristophe Circle Survey with colorist Rashida Lambert;
1. If you could style the hair of any celebrity (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
I love Oprah. I don’t think I’ll be able to pry her from the hands of her stylist or makeup artist. I guess that’s one of the reasons I like her. I would just love the opportunity to have some one on one time. The kind of time I get to spend with my
2. What is the best compliment ever received from a client?
I don’t have one, but I love it when my clients tell me that they couldn’t wait to see me. My clients and I have a great time when they come in and when we’re done they look renewed.
3. If you were a fruit, which one would you be and why?
I would have to say if I were a fruit I would be a purple passion fruit. The deep hue of purple on a Passion fruit is as intense as the flavor. I’m a bubbly, artsy person and have definitely been described as colorful. When it comes to my crafts, people describe me as intense .
Read the rest of Rashida’s interview after the jump…
4.Do you remember the first haircut or color you did as a professional stylist, what was it?
I remember my first client as a professional colorist because it was a funny story. The company I worked for hosted a private opening for our then newest location. One week prior to the opening, I tested out of the color-training program I had
been attending. I was excited. Finally I would have my own chair, no more dishes, shampoos or dry hands, and no more assistant wages so maybe now I could eat.
My client was brought to my station and we had a consultation where we decided that I would apply a base color to cover grey and natural blond highlights. I found myself getting nervous while applying the highlights because I was trying very hard to be meticulous and follow all the rules of procedure. Apparently, I annoyed my client by taking way too long. I caught eyes with her in the mirror
just as I was about to apply her base color. It seemed to come from nowhere. I heard a voice say “are you slow?” As I was wondering if she was referring to my intellect she continued, “You must be slow. My usual stylist does all this and gives me a haircut in less than an hour and a half.” With a one-track mind and not really knowing what to say I responded, “it takes at least 30 mins to apply highlights but I’m not that fast, and it takes at least another 30 mins for your color to process correctly, then shampoo.” I paused as I noticed that she looked confused and annoyed. I finished applying color, the client processed, was shampooed, then went on to have her hair blown dry.
I sheepishly asked her how she liked her hair as she was checking out. She replied that is looked nice, but it took way too long. As she left I remember thinking I have to get my speed up or I’ll never have clients.
Two months later guess who came to see me? She said her color lasted longer than with her previous stylist and didn’t get brassy, so she’d just have to find the time to sit for that long. I Iearned that time is crucial, so I needed to improve on that, but I also learned to be confident in what you know. Quality is just as important, if not, more.
5. What are three words that define you as a person and stylist?
The three words that I think describes me as a person and stylist is artistic, diverse, and knowledgeable.
To find out more about Rashida Lambert and visit her website, rashidalambert.com. Share your color experience with Rashida on our facebook page!
You can book on appointment with Rashida at Cristophe Salon in Washington DC.
