As part of Authentic Beauty Concept’s Replenish Relaunch, renowned hairstylists and brand advocates Anna Cofone and Samantha Cusick engaged in a deeply insightful conversation about the role of listening in the world of hair, creativity, and client relationships.

Their dialogue unpacked the nuanced, often unspoken language of hair artistry, offering a thoughtful exploration into how presence, intuition, and awareness can transform creative outcomes.

The Power of Listening

At the core of Sam and Anna’s discussion was the assertion that listening is the leading skill in their work – not just hearing what clients say, but tuning into everything they don’t say:

• • Noticing body language, personal style, and emotional cues.
  • Interpreting subtle details: the client’s music preferences, wardrobe, and mannerisms.
  • Understanding when to honour the brief – and when to gently introduce something new, but always informed by what you have heard about your client.

Drawing on her career as a high-profile hair stylist for actresses, fashion designers, celebrities and music stars, Anna emphasised the art of active, silent observation as a foundation for trust. Whether prepping for a high-stakes shoot, client event or an everyday look, it’s about more than just technical execution – it’s about truly seeing the person in the chair.

Creative Interpretation and Trust

Anna regailed her experience of crafting a Met Gala look for Margaret Qualley in just 45 minutes – an example of how deep listening and intuitive creativity can meet high-pressure moments. “Listening, and not just to spoken words” she said, “is how I know what to do” – highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence in fast-paced settings, especially when time is limited and impact must be immediate.

Both artists agreed that learning to step back, pause and create space is key to letting your client’s vision, lifestyle and experiences influence the hair you create and answer their brief. Often, the best ideas come when the pressure to act is replaced with the patience to listen.

5 Key Takeaways:

• • Listening is an active skill. It involves interpreting non-verbal cues, energy, and intention – not just words.
  • Unspoken details matter. A client’s music taste, fashion choices, confidence, life experiences and demeanour can reveal their vision more than they sometimes articulate.
  • Trust is built in the quiet moments. Creating a sense of safety allows clients to open up – leading to more meaningful, collaborative work.
  • Knowing when to pivot. The ability to read the room and gently introduce new ideas is as crucial as following the brief.
  • Creativity requires space. Pausing and reflecting can be just as productive as action.

The power of active listening embodies the Authentic Beauty Concept ethos – slowing down, tuning in, and working with authenticity. In a fast-paced industry, Samantha Cusick and Anna Cofone reminded us that active listening is the most powerful tool in any hair professional’s kit.

More Info 
Online: www.authenticbeautyconcept.co.uk
Instagram: @authenticbeautyconceptuk

The Authentic Beauty Concept Replenish Range provides deep nourishment and protection to your locks without weighing the hair down. Infused with powerhouse ingredients, including sustainably sourced Laos Rice Water and Shea Butter, the innovative formula also features a sensorial texture that delights the senses while delivering exceptional performance.

Silicone-and sulfate-free, the range is vegan and cruelty-free, aligning with Authentic Beauty Concept’s commitment to pure, high-performance haircare and ethical and sustainable beauty solutions.

Natural Ingredients

Sustainable Rice Water & Rice Protein
Sustainably sourced from Laos, this nutrient-dense extract is packed with amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and said to improve hair’s elasticity, smoothness and shine.

Hand-Crafted Shea Butter
Harvested by local women in Burkina Faso and Ghana, Authentic Beauty Concept’s shea butter sourcing supports fair-trade initiatives and helps to prevent desertification. Rich in vitamins A & E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, shea butter is known to:

• Deeply condition hair, improving softness and elasticity.
• Protect strands from environmental stressors and heat damage.
• Provide long-lasting nourishment whilst feeling weightless.

Fragrant Ingredients
Elevate the haircare experience with a sophisticated oriental-woody fragrance, blending solar frangipani blossom and milky jasmine petals for a luminous floral touch and maple syrup, black sandalwood and pecan nut for a warm, sensual finish.

Key Benefits

• Deep repair and nourishment: Nutrient-rich formula restores strength and vitality to damaged hair.
• Lightweight performance: Delivers intense care while maintaining the natural feel and movement in the hair.
• Premium ingredients: Featuring sustainably sourced Laos Rice Water and Shea Butter for superior replenishment.
• Sustainable beauty: Ethical ingredient sourcing supports local communities and helps to protect biodiversity.

Product Line-Up

• Replenish Cleanser £28.60 – Gently cleanses while smoothing and strengthening the hair fibre.
• Replenish Conditioner £33.50 – Seals the cuticle and enhances manageability for healthy-looking hair.
• Replenish Light Cream Mask £34.40 – An airy, intensive treatment that repairs and fortifies from the inside out.
• Replenish Rich Cream Mask £42.85 – A deeply nourishing butter-textured mask, perfect for intensive repair and protection.
• Replenish Spray Conditioner £42.85 – A lightweight leave-in formula that detangles, boosts shine, and offers 230°C heat protection.
• Replenish Split End Remedy £31.60 – A restorative leave-in balm with plant-derived sealing technology that seals split ends and reduces frizz with 230°C heat protection too.

More Info
Online: www.authenticbeautyconcept.com
Instagram: @authenticbeautyconceptuk

Titled, ‘Modern Antiquity’, Lo reimagines traditional Asian iconography – tiger stripes, swirling cloud motifs and delicate florals – by warping, distorting and reshaping them. His signature textures take centre stage, with 3D merino wool spikes, intricate pleating and textural contrasts adding depth and dimension to every look.

Products Used For Styling:

Authentic Beauty Concept Glow Spray Serum £41.50
Authentic Beauty Concept Working Hairspray £28.60
Authentic Beauty Concept Hand & Hair Light Cream £28.60
Authentic Beauty Concept Pliable Paste £28.60

“The inspiration for this look is a continuation of the patterns and panels we’ve explored in previous seasons. We wanted to mimic elements of
the patterns and textures within Chet’s designs by incorporating high gloss crimped panels at the back and sides of the hair. To achieve this, we used hero Authentic Beauty Concept”
– Anna.

Step By Step

1. Hair is smoothed out from a sharp middle parting, using straightening irons and Glow Spray Serum.
2. Taking a veil of hair either side of the parting, crimp panels of hair using Working Hairspray to set the shape.
3. Add a further crimped panel in the back for extra texture.
4. Apply Hand and Hair Light Cream, Pliable Paste, and Glow Spray Serum to enhance shine and control flyaways.
5. Lock in the look with a final mist of Working Hairspray for lasting hold.

More Info

Online: Authentic Beauty Concept 
Insta: @authenticbeautyconceptuk

SS Daley presented a combined womenswear and menswear show. The designer drew inspiration from female British artists in the early period of the 20th century. Think: British classics, reworked through hand drawn prints, felted textures and voluminous silhouettes.

Hair Inspiration

“In line with Stephen’s vision, we explored the interplay of masculinity and femininity in both the men’s and women’s hairstyles. The looks feature beautifully crafted shapes that emphasise movement and volume – textural, ethereal yet controlled. For the women’s styles, we created structured shapes with rich texture, embodying both fragility and strength. Hair is swept back off the face for a contained, powerful look, while more feminine variations introduce ethereal moments by teasing out the hair. We used Authentic Beauty Concept’s Airy Texture Spray to enhance volume and Authentic Beauty Concept’s Glow Spray Serum to achieve a polished, controlled finish. For the men’s looks, we aimed for a lived-in feel, as if artists were coming together after a night out. There’s a sense of individuality in the hair, yet a cohesive and uniformed aesthetic, tied together by texture, control and a pushed back style. Ethereal moments are introduced through subtle variations in movement, maintaining a balance between structure and effortlessness,” – Anna Cofone, Global Creative Advocate for Authentic Beauty Concept.

Step By Step

1. Hair is prepped with Nymph Salt Spray at the roots for volume and structure and Glow Spray Serum is used through mid-lengths and ends for heat protection. Blow-dry in using vent brush, especially on the sides. Depending on texture use Amplify Mousse or Cosmic Blowdry Jelly for type 1 or 2 if very heavy.
2. Hair is kept back using Pliable Styling Paste and styled by taking set sections sprayed with a fine mist of Working Hairspray then:
– At the top, take small section and use small tongs, working away from the face to create indent in the hair
– On the sides, use a triple barrel waver in a vertical direction to create movement at the sides
– At the back, also add abstract waved section to create texture and defined movement
3. To finish, brush the hair out and use Airy Texture Spray to create soft moments and Glow Spray Serum to tame any fly-aways. Set with Working Hairspray.

Products Used

For prep:Authentic Beauty Concept Nymph Salt Spray £30.80 (link here)
Depending on texture, extra products to use:
– Authentic Beauty Concept Amplify Mousse £30.80 (link here)
– Authentic Beauty Concept Cosmic Blowdry Jelly £30.80 (link here)
– Authentic Beauty Concept Glow Spray Serum £41.50 (link here)

For Styling:
– Authentic Beauty Concept Pliable Styling Paste £28.60 (link here)
– Authentic Beauty Concept Working Hairspray £28.60 (link here)

For Finish:
– Authentic Beauty Concept Airy Texture Spray £30.80 (link here)
– Authentic Beauty Concept Glow Spray Serum £41.50 (link here)
– Authentic Beauty Concept Working Hairspray £28.60 (link here)

Image credits: Jack Eames for Authentic Beauty Concept

AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CONCEPT is a holistic premium brand co-created with a unique hairdresser collective to start a new path to authentic beauty – the #authenticbeautymovement is a community that believes in the same shared values.

Online:
Authentic Beauty Concept
Instagram:
@authenticbeautyconcept
@annacofone