10 Minutes with Luke Reynolds

For more than 25 years, Luke Reynolds has immersed himself in the “art of hair”, exploring unconventional paths to develop an impactful fashion-forward style for his salon. Luke’s love and dedication to the profession has allowed him to perfect and evolve the art of hair, exploring new techniques with an emphasis on texture and movement.

Luke Reynolds Hairdressing, is a perfect blend of edge, fashion, fun and sophistication and as a very hands-on owner, Luke is the epitome of style and elegance offering a complete luxury client experience.

To help us get to know you a little more, would you share a little about your upbringing? I had a fantastic childhood, I guess a privileged upbringing, in a family with loads of love and support and never really went without anything. Played loads of sport and had quite an outdoor lifestyle and we holidayed a lot. I have one brother and we grew up in Ipswich, we went to private primary schools and then onto Ipswich grammar school for our education. My brother then went on to university and I rode horsed professionally until my early twenties (my first career). My father was an executive at Australia Post and Mum only ever worked part time as we got a bit older to suffice her needs.

How did you first get involved in the industry?

I was at a bit of a loose end after giving up riding full time and going back for a short stint at university where I tried my hand at a business degree. I did really well, but I am not the studying/book type, if you get what I mean. I always use to cut hair as a party trick from quite a young age but being a country boy never really thought of it as a natural career progression. I had some friends at the time convince me to give hairdressing a go. So, I walked into the best salon I could find in Newcastle at the time (Peter Reynolds Hair studio, no relation) and applied for a job (in between my busy partying schedule) and long story short after a successful trial day they gave me a chance. Six weeks after this date. I won several categories and Junior of the year at the Newcastle Hairdressing competitions (I think they were old IHS). Boom, the rest was history. Shortly after this I was rung by Benni Tognini (he was cutting mums hair at the time) and offered an opportunity to join his team. So, I did…

What achievement are you most proud of in your life or career?

Being a good kind person. The awards I have won (Hair Expo Business of the year 2017) many others creatively in the early days, building a successful brand with brilliant team culture. Training awardwinning hairdressers and giving back to our industry.

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what alternative career would you consider?

Mmmm…I can’t really imagine doing anything else, but, probably architecture, interior design or renovating and flipping properties….something with a creative element that’s for sure. I don’t think I would service very long I the corporate world I would definitely tell the wrong person to fuck off! Lol. Red tape, rules and bureaucracy is definitely not my forte.

Three things you’re passionate about:

My business, horses, food, wine, travel, shopping, family, and snow skiing the outdoors… (More than three but hey so many good things in life)

Describe your ideal Sunday:

So many perfect Sunday options: sleep-ins, hikes, long lunches, beach, or polo, finished off by a visit to my favourite Sunday restaurant (beccafino)

What’s on your bucket list?

Travel as much as possible, diving with sharks, ski as many resorts in the world as possible, do some epic walks/hikes…get my pilots licence (random I know, but started it in my 20’s)

Craziest, funniest, or most unusual thing/s you’ve ever done?

Jumped out of a plane, fell over drunk and broke my cutting thumb, started a business…

Pets or no pets?

Not at the moment, just lost (before Christmas) my Boston Terrier, Bruno at age 14

What’s playing on your Spotify right now?

Either: Chill House, all about the 80’s or Jazz Dinner Party…

Do you have a motto or signature life philosophy?

To the people around me who share this journey no matter how great or small, I promise to give my best in every way possible at the time. More than anything the power to live in positivity and love, not fear, this can only be in our own hands, do not let the white noise weigh you down. Be powerful, be present, be persistent, be proud, be kind and work hard. If you could leave this industry having achieved just one thing, what would that legacy be? Being remembered for being a good hairdresser, having given back to the industry and trained good hairdressers and shared my knowledge.

What do you do in your spare time?

Eat, drink, cook, travel, shop, hang out with family and friends and play polo.

What’s something interesting or quirky we might not know about you?

I’m an extremely generous person.

If you could invite 4 people, living or passed, to a dinner party at your place, who would you invite?

My four grandparents to be able to share one more time together and get some wisdom and knowledge.

What does contentment mean to you?

That’s a hard one being a perfectionist, will it ever come? Ha-Ha! Generally, when I’m travelling, playing polo, or eating and drinking with family and friends.

What makes you laugh?

My partner, my friends and hate to admit it, but scaring and playing tricks on people.

What is your greatest fear?

Snakes

Your greatest indulgence?

Champagne, Wine, food/eating out, travel, skiing, playing polo and shopping.