The first in Australia to reach Global Ambassador status in under 12-months, Richi Grisillo is the poster boy for hard work meets industry success. His collections inspire hairdressers globally and he’s one of the local few with a map to the intersection of art and commerce. He is, by its truest definition, an artist, and he is living and thriving in his new ‘hair home’ with. Moroccanoil.
Moroccanoil Global Ambassador and Hair Director for our cover story, ‘She Likes to Move,’ Richi talks the power of women, colour, and our industry’s rapid rate of change.
TJ: You are the only Australian so far to have moved into a Global Ambassador role for Moroccanoil. What does this mean to you and your responsibilities with the brand?
RG: To be promoted to a global role with a global brand is an absolute honour. With the Australian market so far from North America and Europe, entering a creative role like Global Ambassador seemed impossible to me. The move reinforces the brand’s pursuit of nurturing talent within the global community and creating creative opportunities within the world of Moroccanoil.
So far, the role has travelled me through North America and Europe across multiple education platforms such as the Moroccanoil Collective education event, Las Vegas. Further to this, it has been a dream come true to collaborate across global campaigns for the brand and help shape the development of upcoming product integrations.
Locally, I’ve been busy building a creative community with salons and artists that love Moroccanoil. My goal is to involve as many artists as possible, and to grant them the same exposure I have been fortunate to gain within this wonderful industry.
TJ: We just created a beautiful editorial with photographer, Levon Baird focusing on the power and wearability of Moroccanoil colour. Can you divulge your product formulations for each look?
The initial idea for this shoot was based around the concept of ‘hair that moves.’ It’s when hair comes to life – especially hair colour. The overall mood for the shoot was editorial in nature and I wanted each colour to not only speak to a hair colour trend but play on complexion suitability and texture that ignites with movement.
One of my favourite things to do (when working on shoots) is to emulate natural hair textures for effortless images that don’t lean into heavily styled hair, or that “straight out of the hair salon” aesthetic (that we see so much of on social media). That said, the images may feel effortless, but they take hours of prep work and product to create!
From a colour perspective I wanted to focus on three diverse tones that were inspired by muses like Dua Lipa’s ‘red transformation’ that in real life was created by global celebrity Colourist Matt Rez using Moroccanoil hair colour. A signature tonal blonde and a brunette that celebrated rich seamless variation on textured hair.
TJ: Our cover story was dedicated to the power of women – a celebration of the women who have inspired and triggered something in you – their freedom and divine femininity. How did you convey this through your styling and colour work?
RG: There is not a day in life that I don’t want to celebrate the women in my life. It is one of my favourite aspects of hairdressing, the transformation and feeling someone can experience when they have their hair done. Their posture changes, body language amplifies and it’s almost that ‘shampoo commercial moment’ when you just know someone is at their most confident.
To translate this feeling and energy into an image, it really comes down to hair that makes the model feel powerful in front of the camera. Our first model for the day was beautiful Aissatou. To see her swanning around the studio completely obsessed with the volume, length, and texture of her hair … it really was an example of the transformative power of hair, (I’m pretty sure there was a few hundred selfies taken!). It’s always important to consider an image beyond the hair, the power in the wardrobe and the makeup really amplified this feeling and created a series of emotive images that I’m so proud to have been apart of.
TJ: What sets Moroccanoil colour apart from competitors?
RG: Moroccanoil successfully redefined the haircare category through oil infused products and has translated this concept into argan infused colour with its Argan iD proprietary technology that cares for the hair while you colour.
As a colourist, I have never experienced such great feedback from clients on how well their colour fades in-between appointments. It’s a wonderful feeling, both as an artist and salon owner.
TJ: What are noticeable differences we can expect to see in the hair texture when using the colour portfolio?
RG: As expected, any product from Moroccanoil will leave the hair feeling smooth, hydrated and revived. The feedback we constantly hear is how ‘shiny and healthy’ our clients’ hair looks. And from a professional perspective, the hair feels soft and obedient while styling.
TJ: You are known for balancing creative and commercial so effortlessly, what advice do you have for artists seeking that ultimate intersection?
RG: I’m so flattered when people say I’m able to balance a creative and commercial. It really doesn’t come down to anything but personal taste. Wat has helped shape this is a sense of ambition, always with one leg in the hair world and industry education, and the other in photographic creation and fashion (both editorial and backstage).
I can appreciate the technical finesse of being a great hairdresser in-salon, but also understand when and how to deconstruct hair into something effortless. Every year I exercise the creative muscle my brain through the AHFA’s, ultimately finding a balance between it all.
When it comes to product and Moroccanoil, the brand satiates my desire to explore new formulas. Unlocking a products’ potential on a creative level (no matter how commercial it might be) helps me reimagine a texture, form, or silhouette to create something unseen.
Classically the perception of Moroccanoil is it’s a very ‘commercial’ and ‘pretty’ hair brand, but over the past two years I’ve had time to really understand the products and explore their creative potential.
TJ: How has the colour brand opened new service opportunities in the salon, and how has it been received by the team?
The biggest service boost at Académie was the introduction of a liquid demi in addition to a cream demi. At first, I was confused by having two products that provide similar results, but the liquid option brings speed of application without compromising colour results. We now utilise the cream as a precision application across toning and glossing, and the liquid for a speedier global application. Each provide clients with 8-weeks of beautiful hair colour.
TJ: What colour requests should technicians expect to be hearing more of as we approach 2025?
RG: I am forecasting a push for juicy, bolder tones wether it’s for blondes, brunettes or red heads. Think Dua Lipa’s saturated cherry red or a rich Bella Hadid brunette. I think there will be a shift from hyper colour to a more mature take on pastels – steering away from that ‘bleach and direct dye’ result, and towards something that feels more couture and hand crafted. Results that can only be achieved in the hands of a professional hairdresser with oxidative colour. Think delicate tones and a strong placement to create a complimentary result.
TJ: One thing you have learnt about yourself as a creative and businessman in 2024 (so far)?
RG: I prefer the creative and practical side of hairdressing; however, I have learnt (especially this year), that the industry has evolved at a rate t most businesses are struggling to keep up with. The idea of a classic business structure has started to feel dated, and we need to find new ways to provide a flexible work environment while sustaining profitability. At Académie, we have always remained a flexible work environment even though this can affect the bottom-line – our team comes first.
As a creative it’s to find ways to feed your soul and not get too caught up in the day-to-day. I know this is nothing ground-breaking, but it’s something I’ve taken a very long time to appreciate, and my headspace is much better for it.
Follow @richi_grisillo | @moroccanoil_au
