AIL Meets Lou Teasdale

Brand Ambassador for Fudge Urban (www.fudgeurban.com), hair stylist to the planet’s biggest boy band and now a published author, Lou Teasdale certainly has a busy CV. Luckily for us she took time out to tell our fashion and beauty blogger Laurel about her style, her new book – The Craft, a DIY hair and beauty guide - and her London favourites…

Describe yourself and your style in five words:
Mummy
Twin
Tattoo-obsessed
Businesswoman
Rock-and-roll-hairdresser

What made you decide to go down the hair and make up route?
I've just always done it; I've always done EVERYONE’S hair and make up. I was useless at school so it was the only option for me! There’s a lot of information in the book about pursuing it as a career; I think it's really important for people to follow what they're naturally good at so they excel in whatever their chosen path may be.

Your big break came as hair and make up artist on The X Factor & Britain’s Got Talent – how did that change the course of your career?
When you work on a show like that there's a constant stream of work all year round; even though it's only on TV for a few weeks a year, there are tours and acts being signed and going on promo tours. It’s just kept me going and still is 7 years later!

What do you think you would be doing were you not a hair and make up artist?
I'm sure I would still have my own businesses; I run a style agency and a digital agency when I'm not doing this, which I love, so if I didn't do hair and make up I would probably just be in the office full time.

You've just written a new book; what inspired you to put pen to paper?
I've always been into beauty writing and kept blogs and it was just a natural progression of that. I specialise in men and haven't done much work with female models for a long time, so I felt I needed to get all my ideas out in a book!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I think getting a job like mine is about attitude; if you're nice to everyone and work really hard you'll stand out because, surprisingly, very few people do those simple things even in these desirable positions. With hair and make up it’s about being good at your craft - both need practice and time. There’s no fast track course or shortcut to get there; you need to get a job in a salon and become the best you can be.

As a brand ambassador for Fudge Urban play your part in your fair share of fashion shows. What’s your favourite hair or beauty trend to emerge for SS14?
From the catwalks this season I LOVED what Sam McKnight did for Chanel; dreadlocked ponytails that looked like the Chanel handbags - so on-trend and relevant to the show. The Fudge Urban Sea Salt Spray is the perfect product to create texture for a similar look.

What do you love most about London’s fashion and beauty scene?
I love the way London embraces fresh young designers and street style. I find New York, Milan and Paris so boring compared with London; it’s definitely turned out to be the coolest city! Regarding beauty, here anything goes. When I go to other countries they think my hair's crazy because I have a lilac rinse; in London (and the rest of the country) it’s so common you can feel comfortable here to push boundaries with your look.

What’s the one failsafe look you turn to if you’re having a bad hair day?
Tan and a top knot!

Finally, tell us your Top Five favourite places in London:
1) Spuntino Restaurant: They have really cool waiters that look like 50's teddy boys with tattoos. And the food is amazing, like posh egg and soldiers.
2) Hampstead Ponds: Swimming outside in London is my favourite thing to do and really fun in the summer. It doesn't feel like London!
3) Kimberley Nails: They just do the BEST nails in London!
4) Shangri La Tattoo Parlour: The best tattoos – my favourite – and a great place to hang out.
5) Topshop Oxford Circus: If you're a tourist in London, even if you have a Topshop in your city, you still need to go to this one. I love spending half a day in there!


Lou’s new book, The Craft, is published April 1st, priced £9.99