Meet Connor Stansfield
Bleach, Balance & Big Dreams:
A Chat with Hair Artist Connor Stansfield
If you missed our latest Instagram Live, don’t worry, we’ve bottled up the energy, laughs, and hair wisdom right here.
This week, we were joined by none other than Connor Stansfield, our new Innoluxe superstar and all-round creative powerhouse.
With ten years in the hair game and a career that’s gone from Manchester to Hackney (via Shoreditch), Connor’s story is as inspiring as his colour work. Let’s rewind a bit…
From Playground Braids to the Bright Lights of London
Connor always knew he wanted to be a hairdresser; his mum loves to remind him that as a kid, he was either styling someone’s hair or kicking a football. “There’d be a queue of girls in the playground waiting for a braid,” he laughs, “and then their mums would complain they couldn’t get it out later!”.
Born just outside Manchester, Connor trained in a local salon in Bury, where he stayed for eight years. Loyal, hardworking, and a little obsessed with bleach, he eventually made the bold leap to London to join the iconic Not Another Salon under colour superstar Sophia Hilton.
“It was wild,” he says. “One minute I was watching Sophia teach the bleach course, the next I was teaching it myself. Total full-circle moment!”
Freelance Freedom - in a Shipping Container!
Fast forward to today, Connor has carved out his own creative space - literally - co-owning a studio made from a shipping container in Hackney with fellow stylist Arron.
“It’s such a cute little spot,” he says. “I absolutely love it. Going freelance has been the best decision I’ve ever made".
It’s not hard to see why. Between his ambassador role with Crazy Color and his work with Innoluxe, Connor’s calendar is packed shoots, campaigns, and client transformations that light up his Instagram feed.
Bleach Without Fear
We had to talk about scalp bleach, Connor’s specialty and the stuff of both dreams and nightmares for stylists everywhere. “When I started, bleach terrified me”, he admits. “This was before bond builders were a thing. One wrong move and you could fry someone’s hair!”.....Then came Innoluxe.... “It’s changed everything. Clients can feel the difference straight away, the hair looks and feels healthier. I don’t have to do separate scalp protection anymore; it’s just built into my process. It’s a game changer”.
Connor recalls one model who warned her scalp always reacted badly to bleach. “She was nervous, but I said, ‘Trust me - trust the product.’ And it was perfect. No irritation, just a beautiful, even blonde. That’s what Innoluxe does”.
Passion Over Persuasion
What’s clear from talking to Connor is that he’s got zero interest in fake selling. “I’ve always believed in no bullshit,” he grins. “If something doesn’t work, what’s the point? I only use products that genuinely make hair better. Otherwise, it’s just not worth it.”
That honesty has built deep trust with his clients. “People aren’t just buying colour or a cut they’re buying your passion,” he says. “When they walk out feeling amazing, that’s the real payment.”
FBR: The Miracle Worker
When asked his favourite Innoluxe product, Connor doesn’t hesitate. “FBR - it stands for F***ed Beyond Repair!!!”.
“But it’s not just for hair that’s completely gone. It’s brilliant for strengthening, balancing porosity, and prepping for colour. Especially when you’re doing scalp bleach or vivids -you need that balance”.
He has even seen near-miracle turnarounds. “I had a client who’d been bleaching her own hair at home - it was a mess. Nothing was holding. After a few appointments using FBR, Rebond, Balance Plus, and Elixir, her hair started holding colour again. Total transformation”.
Elixir Love and a Science Tip
Elixir, Connor says, is his go-to for at-home repair. “I tell clients: use it every day if your hair’s struggling. Mist your hair with water first, then add 7–8 pumps of Elixir, leave it overnight, rinse in the morning. The water helps open the cuticle slightly, so the product absorbs better”.
His little science drop... “When hair’s wet, it’s more receptive. That tiny pH change helps products work harder. I love that side of it there’s so much chemistry behind what we do”.
Why the ‘Why’ Matters
Recently, Connor took a course with Sarah Spiers from Chaulk Education, and it reignited his curiosity.
“She got me thinking about the why behind everything. Why colour behaves the way it does, why porosity changes, all of it. Now I can explain it to clients in a way that makes sense. It’s not just about technique, it’s about understanding".
That science-driven approach, paired with his signature warmth and humour, is what makes Connor a true Innoluxe superstar.
Final Words from Connor
“When people ask me my favourite part of hairdressing, it’s always that moment when the client sees their hair at the end. Their face lights up, and you just know you’ve nailed it. That’s the best part. That’s what it’s all about".
Follow Connor on Instagram @connorstansfield to see his latest creations and to learn more about the products he swears by.