Multi-award winning hairdresser Paul Davey has released the second edition of his Elements education book, which is designed to be a comprehensive resource for hairdressers in Ireland and the UK.
Davey is the owner of Davey Dublin, and he founded Hairdressing Live almost a decade ago.
“I started out like most hairdressers – cutting friends’ hair at home in my garage,” he explains. “I basically taught myself, but I really wanted to learn the craft, so I went to TONI&GUY, which is one of the biggest educational institutions.”
He went on to open his own business in Dublin city centre, which now has a team of 12. “Building that team and that culture has been one of the proudest achievements of my career. Education has been a pillar in what we do. Along the way, I realised that the industry I loved was missing something – a proper, structured, accessible education pathway for working hairdressers. That realisation is really what set me on the path I’m on today.”
According to Davey, starting the online academy came from a very real frustration. “I kept seeing talented stylists plateau, not because they lacked ability, but because they didn’t have access to the right education at the right time. Traditional courses are often expensive, inflexible or out of reach for someone working full-time in a busy salon. I wanted to change that.
“The aim from day one was to create a platform where hairdressers could learn at their own pace, on their own schedule, without having to take days off work or travel to a training centre. It started relatively simply, but it has evolved into something much bigger than I initially imagined. We now have a full online educational platform with structured learning content, step-by-step video tutorials, and resources that genuinely meet hairdressers where they are, whether they’re a newly qualified stylist or someone with 10 years’ experience who is looking to sharpen their skills.”
Education book
Elements came about organically, he says. “When I was developing the content for my salon team, I kept finding myself writing extensive notes, theory breakdowns and step-by-step guides, and placing them into folders. At a certain point, I realised I wasn’t just writing course notes, I was writing a textbook. So I committed to it fully.”
The book aims to cover all of the core colour theory subjects, and moves into practical step-by-step guides across cutting, colouring and pin-up techniques.
“I think it fills a gap that has existed for a long time,” says Davey. “There are plenty of books about hair trends and inspiration, but very few that give Irish and UK hairdressers a practical and theoretical workbook resource they can work through systematically. What makes it particularly powerful is that it doesn’t stand alone. We’ve filmed 42 video tutorials that directly correspond to the step-by-steps in the book. Whether you’re a student trying to get your foundations right, a stylist preparing for an assessment, or an experienced colourist who wants to revisit the theory behind what they do every day — this book has something for you. It’s available as a hardcopy for €99 and as a digital edition for €40, so there’s an option for everyone.”
Davey believes that education and CPD in the hairdressing industry are non-negotiable. “Everything moves so fast; techniques evolve, colour chemistry advances, client expectations shift. If you’re not actively investing in your own development, you will get left behind. It’s as simple as that.
“But I also think we need to reframe how we talk about CPD. It’s not a box-ticking exercise. Done right, it’s genuinely transformative – for your confidence, your creativity, your earning potential and, ultimately, for your clients. A hairdresser who understands the why behind what they’re doing will always deliver a better result than one who’s just following steps they half-remember from a course five years ago. I’m a firm believer that education should never stop. I’m still learning, and my team are constantly developing. That culture of growth is one of the things I’m most proud of at Davey Dublin, and it’s the entire philosophy behind Hairdressing Live.”
Talent in the Irish industry
He also believes that the Irish hairdressing industry has world-class talent that is sometimes underappreciated. “We punch well above our weight on the international stage, and I see extraordinary skill and creativity in salons right across the country every day. That said, the challenges are real, from recruitment and retention to the cost of running a salon, which has increased enormously. Pricing is still a sensitive conversation in parts of the industry. There’s also a disconnect, I think, between the quality of the work being done and how the profession is perceived publicly.
“However, within those challenges, I see enormous opportunity. Clients are more educated and more willing to invest in their hair than ever before. The demand for specialist skills, particularly in colour, is growing. And for those salons and stylists who are committed to education, to professionalism, and to delivering an exceptional experience, the future is genuinely exciting.”
