In Session
Michael Beel
From editorial shoots and celebrity styling to award-winning artistry behind the chair, Michael Beel has built a career defined by creativity, individuality and impeccable taste.
Beyond the fashion, photoshoots and polished finishes is an artist equally inspired by disco soundtracks, seaside hosting and the simple joy of gathering people together. We sat down with Michael to talk career highlights, personal rituals and the moments away from the salon that truly fill his cup.
Glitter & Gatherings
When you’re not working behind the chair, how do you like to spend your time?
I love to host and entertain friends at my little seaside cottage with my husband in Petone. I find pottering around home and the kitchen quite grounding and then when everyone’s here, laughter and joy really fill my cup.
Do you have a favourite genre or artist that you listen to while working—or just in life?
I’m a boy who loves gay pop and disco vibes. So anything that gets the blood pumping, the feet moving and puts a smile on my face. It can be anything from Cher, Tina Turner and Donna Summer to Lady Gaga, Olivia Dean and Purple Disco
Paris, Pasta & Persistence
If you could hop on a plane tomorrow, where is your favourite place to travel and why?
Paris… I’m very lucky I’ve been 3 times and every time I fall in love with it alittle more. The people, the food, the art and the architecture. You walk around a corner and your mind gets blown away every time. My favourite room in the world is at the Palais Garnier… I think it’s more striking than the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
Do you have a career goal or milestone you’d love to achieve that you haven't already?
A Vogue cover! I’ve been very fortunate to have work featured in Vogue a few times, including an editorial with Rita Ora, but so far the cover alludes me. Being I’m based in Wellington and not one of the fashion capitals it’s a lot harder to achieve but I’m not afraid of hustling to tick that box.
Is there a piece of advice you’d give your younger self when you first started hairdressing?
Practice and master the foundations over and over again. I wanted to skip the sets, braids and fingerwaves, thinking they were irrelevant and get into cutting as fast as possible but now I know the importance of that type of work especially in the editorial, fashion realm. Hair manipulation is what we do - so I would tell baby Michael to get out that dolls head and practice again and again.
What’s your go-to comfort food or favourite meal?
Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mac and cheese. Home made of course. There’s something so comforting that crispy moist chicken and cheesy pasta - the waist doesn’t agree but who cares!
Love Served Homemade
Do you have a hobby or passion outside of hairdressing that surprises people?
Making Chutneys and pickle’s. It goes back to when I lived on a farm as a kid and seeing my mum and nana preserve, bottle and pickle everything. Nothing beats homemade without all the preservatives and additives and sometimes when it comes from my own garden, even better!
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I’m the oldest out of 8 brothers and sisters. A very large dysfunctional but close loving family. I have 12 nieces and nephews but that number keeps getting added too so when we are all together at Christmas time we almost need to hire out the local rugby club to host us hahaha.
If you could have a dinner party with any three people, living or dead, who would you invite?
Hmmmmmm I would love to host Tina Turner (her life is so inspirational and I would show her our viral Proud Mary Dance from Vegas IIYKYK!), my Mum… she passed away 17 years ago quite suddenly at a relatively young age so to have an evening with her with her iconic laughter again would be priceless and of course my Husband… who is an excellent person to top up my glass of champagne and to keep my spirits high.
Do you have a morning or evening routine that helps you stay grounded and creative?
I go to the gym, run or do a big walk every single morning. No headphones on to just allow my brain a chance to relax and focus on the day ahead. The endorphins means I’m in a better mood, trust me if I haven’t exercised I’m not a nice lady, and makes that morning hit of caffeine taste all