3rd April 2025
Christel Barron-Hough, founder of Chelsea-based salon STIL sits down with The Sybarite to detail her journey into hairdressing.
STIL SALON is the Chelsea-based salon you want to find yourself in for some much-needed R&R when you are in need of a lighter look post-Winter. The Scandi minimalist interiors, reminiscent of a modern art gallery, is the perfect backdrop to capture your post-appointment transformation for your Instagram feed.
The salon is founded by Swedish-born Christel Barron-Hough and specialises in quietly luxurious hair transformations. Their signature Lumière Lights and Prism Lights are low-maintenance hair colouring techniques to reignite sun-parched hair, subtly lifting hair with a free-hand technique, a subtle alternative to Balayage. The Sybarite sits down with Barron-Hough to discuss her journey into the world of hairdressing.
When did you first know you wanted to enter the world of hairdressing?
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a hairdresser. I used to go with my mum to the salon from the age of six and thought it was so glamorous.
Describe your career arc which has resulted in the launch of STIL?
I have been very fortunate to have worked for many well-established hairdressing salons throughout my career, but most of my time has been spent working in corporate education for leading hair manufacturers, such as Wella Professionals and Unilever's brand TIGI.
What prompted your move from Sweden to London?
I moved from Sweden in 1998 with a passion for becoming the best hairdresser I could be. I moved because I wanted to work and learn from Toni &Guy.
Tell us more about your creative projects outside of the salon?
Over the years I have had the privilege of working on many big hair campaigns as I was a Creative Global Technical Director for a leading colour house for eight years before I opened STIL. I have worked with celebrities such as Ellie Goulding, Pixie Lott, Paris Hilton and Esme Dentes amongst others. I have also provided colour work for many renowned fashion designers and catwalk shows over the years such as Manish Arora, Sophia Webster, Mark Fast, The Blondes and many more.
How has STIL evolved since the 2016 launch?
STIL is constantly evolving. We started with a small boutique salon in 2016, located in Notting Hill, and were very fortunate to outgrow that space. We are now located in our flagship salon in the heart of Chelsea's design district, Brompton Cross, with 15 hair stations. Over the years we have grown the brand and have developed more business partnerships and today offer multiple hair services from colour and styling, through to extensions and hair relaxers.
What does it take to be a female entrepreneur?
For any entrepreneur it’s about staying relevant and being fashion-focused – especially in an industry such as hair, where fashion and trends change daily. But most of all, hard work and dedication is key for any business to succeed. I think for most women, you just need to believe in your brand, your journey and your vision. It’s also vital to inspire your team to share in that vision, as their support on a daily basis is what allows you to grow.
What is the STIL signature?
The Scandi Blonde aesthetic is our signature look. It became super popular in 2016 and has since become synonymous with STIL’s DNA.
Talk me through some of your bespoke techniques such as “Lumiere Lights” and “Prism Lights”
Lumiere Lights is our version of hand painting. It is similar to balayage where the colour often looks super soft on the root. Prism Lights is all about a childlike colour that shines like a prism. It has ribbons of blonde colour on the roots with sun-kissed ends.
What hair trends do you anticipate dominating in 2025?
Eco Blonde is one big colour trend for 2025, which has a slightly boho-esque feel to it. It draws inspiration from the Olsen Twins from the ‘90s, so it's all about dark roots and blonde ends. It can be seen on many celebrities and models at the moment and was a popular look at the SS25 Fashion Weeks.
What has been your proudest achievement to date?
Winning British Colour Technician of the Year three times.
What does a typical day look like to you?
A typical day is often filled with a lot of clients, meetings, planning for creative projects, coaching my team and lots of business admin.
What is it about the hair industry that continues to inspire you?
Hairdressing is a lifestyle for me, rather than a job. It's actually a slight obsession as I love everything about hairdressing. Clients, creative opportunities, and my staff inspire me on a daily basis as it's all about sharing and exploring ideas together.
How do you approach selecting a shade/cut for a client who wants a refresh but isn’t sure what they would like?
My approach to consultation includes in-depth colour consultancy and analysis, as it's so important that the colour suits a client's personal style and complexion. But colour is also about individuality, so it's often about creating a look that tells a story about the client.
How do you promote hair health through your practice?
Aftercare and diet are so important for hair and this is something I practise with my clients every day. Hair needs food like the body and without it coloured hair won't be healthy. Hair supplements and collagen are vital for hair health, along with the correct shampoos and hair treatments.
What’s next for STIL/how would you like to see the business evolve?
We are currently focusing on building a brand and we would like to grow STIL in a 360 degree lifestyle approach. Some of the things that we will strive towards in the coming years will include expanding into a cafe space and wider lifestyle brand, as well as launching our own line of hair products.
https://www.stil-salon.com
