Sponsored By Wella Education
Some artists spend their careers perfecting what they know. Anthony Cole has spent his time reinventing it. More than 30 years into the industry, he’s preparing for a shoot that has pushed him out of his comfort zone for the first time in decades… and it feels amazing. From sweeping hair in his uncle’s salon to becoming a global educator for Sebastian Professional, Cole has always been drawn to watching someone leave the chair more confident than when they sat down. What started as a focus on building clientele eventually transformed into something deeper. Hair isn’t just service work, it’s art.
Education and Competitions
Through his work with Wella Education, Cole encourages students to see the industry for the freedom that it truly offers. From TV, editorial, salon, education, the possibilities are expansive. Competitions, especially opportunities like the Sebastian Professional Student Competition, give emerging artists a platform to discover who they are and to ask themselves, ‘Who am I? How do I push myself out of the box? How do I become timeless?’” For Cole, competing isn’t about trophies, it’s about putting your work out there and defining your artistic signature.
The process begins long before the stage. Cole believes in spending serious time building a moodboard, sometimes up to a month, laying out images, colors, textures, and words until the vision becomes clear. The moodboard becomes a dictionary for the project, guiding every decision. But inspiration alone isn’t enough. Trial runs are the most important step, and one of the most common mistakes students make is skipping them. Testing multiple looks on your model reveals what truly fits. Not just for the concept, but also for the person wearing it.
For Cole, everything starts with head shape. Before texture, before tools, he studies structure. “Head shape is everything,” he explains. Texture can be manipulated, but shape determines where the hair lives and falls. The model’s face will tell you what works. It’s about creating something that feels natural, effortless, and authentic rather than forced.
At the end of the day, competitions are about refinement. Focus on silhouette. Focus on pattern. Study your work from every angle. Invest in clean, professional visuals. Most importantly, don’t copy someone else. Reinventing the wheel doesn’t mean becoming someone new; it means taking what you do best and doing it better. Make sure you are you.
Tune in below to hear more about competition from Anthony Cole! Check out our Instagrams here at @Readthetease and @volumeupbythetease.
