This hair colourist shares some tips!

Looking for the best salon for hair colour in Singapore? Need help with correcting washed-out, brassy shades? Step behind the chair with CK KARKHANIS, expert hair colourist and the founder and director of Bedford & Grove Salon in Clarke Quay. It was voted one of Singapore’s best hair salons in our Readers’ Choice Awards 2025! She chats with us about her signature New York-style colour technique and how she turns every client’s hair into a work of art.

You started your career in finance before making the leap into hair colouring. Can you take us through that journey?

I spent the first chapter of my career in investment banking in San Francisco and then New York City. But I soon realised the industry didn’t feed my creative needs. I had always dreamed of working in the beauty industry and eventually made the leap to work in brand management and product development at L’Oréal NYC, a move that brought me into the world of professional hair.

What first sparked your interest in hair and becoming a hair colourist?

At L’Oréal, I was surrounded by incredibly talented colourists and educators. Hair colour fascinated me because it required a dynamic mix of skills: chemistry, artistry, psychology and trust. Working in product development allowed me to help create colour products as well as the education that supported hair stylists around the world. That experience made me realise I wanted to be behind the chair myself, where creativity, beauty, problem-solving and human connection all come together.

What inspired you to open your gorgeous salon in Singapore?

I moved to Singapore eight years ago intending to take a break from work, but within months I was back behind the chair as a freelance hair colourist. After a few years of building my own clientele, I realised I no longer wanted to work in a hectic mall surrounded by glaring lights and bad music. I craved a space that felt more intentional and aligned with how I wanted to work and live.

Bedford & Grove is named after the New York crossroads where I lived when I decided to follow my passion, a place that represents the intersection of purpose and possibility. The salon reflects that spirit: elevated yet personal, rooted in authenticity, creativity and community.

I envisioned and created a kind of pied-à-terre – a serene, light-filled space with sweeping views of both city and nature, where guests can feel transported. The layout is living-room style, with two private rooms designed for those who need to work, prefer privacy or want to relax with their children in tow.

Tell us more about your signature New York-style hair colour technique.

My approach as a hair colourist is all about effortless, carefree colour and soft, natural dimension. Think polished but never overdone, inspired by my time in Madison Avenue salons. Every client gets a custom formula and placement based on their features, skin tone and lifestyle. It’s refined, low-maintenance and tailored – which, to me, is the ultimate luxury.

You’re also known as a colour corrector. What are some common colour mistakes you see people making?

Over-lightening is the big one – chasing shades that don’t suit your skin tone or that damage your hair. I also see a lot of colour that lacks depth or dimension. Especially in Singapore, where everyone’s hair tends to frizz from humidity, contrast is key. Colour correction is about bringing harmony back. Sometimes that means adding warmer tones, going darker or rebalancing contrast.

As a hair colourist, what is the best advice you’ve ever given or received?

Work with someone’s natural features, not against them. Tone, texture and lifestyle matter. And always listen closely to what clients are really telling you. Great hair starts with great communication.

Are there any colour trends you’re particularly loving (or not) right now?

I’m loving the return of warmer tones like buttercream blondes, mocha brunettes and smoky bronze. Warm tones don’t always mean “brassy”. What I don’t love are fast, extreme trend cycles that leave hair compromised, like grey or blue fashion shades.

You’ve built one of the best salons for hair colour in Singapore. What do you enjoy the most about being a hair colourist and entrepreneur?

The relationships, without a doubt. There’s something meaningful about creating beauty in a space where people feel seen, heard and cared for. I also love the creative problem-solving that comes with each guest, because no two heads of hair are ever the same and that keeps the work fresh and rewarding. And I love mentoring budding hair colourists because it makes me feel like I’m giving back to the hair community.

What’s next for you?

Staying intentionally small and focused on quality. I want Bedford & Grove to remain a space where specialists in colour, cut and treatments are celebrated for their craft. It’s about depth, not scale. Preserving that sense of connection, artistry and care is at the heart of my business. Bigger isn’t always better.

Bedford & Grove
#21-81 The Central, 8 Eu Tong Sen Street
9339 1206 | bedfordgrovesalon.com | bedfordgrovesalon@gmail.com

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