No More Winging It: 5 ways Sarah Spiers and Chaulk are Redefining Colour Education through ‘The Science of Hair ‘
Hairdressers are increasingly expected to deliver complex results to meet the needs of clients, often while under pressure and lacking the foundational knowledge needed to support their efforts. For too long, colour education has had a tendency to focus heavily on brand-led techniques, which unfortunately don’t quite cover all bases, resulting in gaps in knowledge in crucial areas. It is simply not enough for stylists to attempt to ‘wing it’ and hope a technique will work; instead, they should be able to approach each colour service with clarity, control and confidence over their work, one that is built on a solid foundation of science-backed knowledge.
Sarah Spiers, Colourist, Educator and founder of Chaulk Education, is calling time on that. With over 30 years of experience in some of the UK’s most prestigious salons, Sarah has always focused on colour throughout her career and is a true colour specialist and master of her craft in every sense of the word.
Her approach, which she calls the Science of Hair, is based on a simple yet powerful instinct: to ask why. Why do products react differently on certain hair types? Why does porosity matter more than undertone in some services? And why do even experienced colourists sometimes encounter the dreaded “Colour Meltdown”?
Her answer is Chaulk, a brand-neutral, science-led education platform designed to provide clarity, control, and confidence to stylists while simplifying the complexities of colour. Established in 2018, Sarah is setting a new standard for colour education, working with some of the most respected names in the industry and earning over 200 five-star reviews from hair professionals across the UK.
So, what makes Chaulk different? Here are five principles that are helping colourists rethink their approach and transform their work from the inside out:
- The Science of Hair
For Sarah, understanding colour begins with a strong understanding of the material we’re working with: hair. Her philosophy, which she calls the Science of Hair, is founded on the principle that no colourist can achieve consistently excellent, bespoke colour results without understanding how hair behaves at a structural level. This involves analysing and comprehending factors such as porosity, elasticity, protein content, and how products interact with the hair fibre on a chemical level – the science behind it all.
“You can’t create confidently if you don’t understand what’s happening inside the hair,” says Sarah. “It’s not enough for stylists to simply hope a technique will work; they MUST understand the reasons behind the entire process to ensure certainty and clarity.”
In an industry where trends change rapidly and clients expect instant results, Sarah believes it is more important than ever to return to the fundamentals. She is committed to providing the most precise information when analysing hair types for bespoke services, emphasising that colour work should always be based on knowledge, especially when it comes to high-stakes services such as colour corrections, where no colourist should ever be ‘winging’ it.
- Brand Neutral
At Chaulk, brand neutrality is non-negotiable. Sarah believes that true colour mastery can’t rely on product-led training alone, and stylists shouldn’t be restricted to brand-specific colour techniques. By maintaining a brand-neutral stance, Sarah is addressing another all-too-common problem: often, stylists are taught techniques that only work with one manufacturer’s range, leaving them vulnerable when they move salons or when formulations change. Chaulk strips that dependency away, focusing instead on universal colour principles that work across any brand.
“Colour is colour,” says Sarah. “If you understand the theory, you can use any product with confidence. I want stylists to walk into any salon, pick up any tube, and know exactly what they’re doing and have full creative freedom without limitations”.
By removing the noise of brand bias, Chaulk gives stylists clarity and confidence so they can make informed decisions, no matter what’s on the shelf. With the right knowledge and skillset, all stylists should be able to adapt to any product and brand they encounter throughout their career, eliminating the worry and confusion that can often come with switching salons.
- Colour Education at all levels
At Chaulk, education isn’t about ticking boxes or rushing through modules, it’s about building true understanding, taking into account every stage of a stylist’s career. From apprentices learning how to assess hair condition for the first time, to senior colourists wanting to refine complex techniques or correct past gaps in their knowledge, the teaching adapts to the individual.
“You can’t teach everyone the same way,” says Sarah. “An apprentice needs clarity and foundation. A more experienced stylist often needs unlearning, going back to the core science and rebuilding from there.”
This tailored, responsive approach ensures every colourist can grow with confidence. It’s not about mastering a single method, it’s about mastering the thinking behind it.
That commitment to long-term development is also at the heart of Chaulk’s Mentorship Programme, which is a unique, 12-month journey designed to support stylists beyond the classroom. Built around real-world scenarios, salon-specific challenges, and the individual needs of each mentee, this programme brings Sarah’s philosophy to life in an ongoing, practical way. With regular check-ins, coaching, and problem-solving support, stylists gain more than knowledge; they gain a true expert by their side, supporting them in their journey.
Education at Chaulk evolves with the colourist. It gives stylists tools they’ll return to throughout their career, and a supportive community they can grow with for the long term.
- Flexible and tailored learning options
At Chaulk, education isn’t just a product, it’s a process built around how stylists learn and work. From large-scale, in-person events and bespoke salon education to self-paced online content and one-to-one coaching, Chaulk offers multiple formats designed to suit different learning needs, schedules, and career stages.
“Stylists are at different points in their journey, and they all learn differently,” says Sarah. “That’s why everything we do is designed to be flexible, and I offer tailored solutions; it’s never a one-size-fits-all, so whether someone needs in-depth technical focus, support for their whole team, or space to revisit core science, we can build around that and offer the best service to fit their unique needs”
With options that range from self-led to fully bespoke, Chaulk’s education is fully adaptable. Every format, whether online or in person, is underpinned by the same goal: to equip stylists with knowledge they can actually use, in a way that works for them.
- A forward-thinking, multi-sensory, holistic approach to learning
Chaulk’s education model extends far beyond technical delivery—it’s built on the understanding that optimal learning happens when all aspects of the environment are considered. From selecting naturally lit, non-salon venues that encourage creativity, to incorporating mindset, movement, and neuroscience-informed methods into events like Become a Colour Master, every detail is designed to enhance focus, retention, and wellbeing.
“Hairdressers are artists. They see, feel and interpret colour uniquely, so our education has to support that. From how the brain processes colour to how light affects perception, every choice we make at Chaulk is about giving stylists the fullest, clearest picture possible,” explains Sarah.
By addressing not just what stylists learn, but how they absorb and apply it, Chaulk delivers a genuinely comprehensive and forward-thinking learning experience.
Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and technical expertise to her work, along with empathy and passion for colour. She has developed a truly unique approach to hair colour education that is free from brand influence and grounded in hair science. In an often-noisy industry, Sarah, through Chaulk, provides a refreshing voice of transparency, uplifting others and simplifying the complexities of colour.
Sarah’s philosophy is one she embraces throughout her educational courses –
NO BRANDS, NO BULLSH*T, NO LIMITATIONS.
