Candice Mckay

Hairdresser, ever thought about quitting?
Not because you’re bad at what you do.

We chose this industry because we wanted a creative life. And over time, the pressure, the pace, the isolation, drain that.

I have an antidote
THE CREATIVE RETREAT
LONDON
26th & 27th July

It’s not the workload that burns you out. It’s the boredom.

The Creative Retreat is a two-day experience for hairdressers and creatives who want to step out of survival mode and reconnect with themselves as artists.

It is a space to slow down, think clearly, and return to your work with more intention.

Across two days, we explore mindfulness, wellbeing, finding your muse, moodboarding, concept development, visual storytelling, trend forecasting and social media strategy, helping you turn raw ideas into work that feels thoughtful, elevated and genuinely your own.

We look at how to move from inspiration into ex*****on, so your ideas can translate into real-world work, whether that is behind the chair, in your content, in competitions, PR or collection building.

This retreat is well suited to freelancers, salon owners and educators who want space to think, create and reconnect, without pressure or performance.

You'll work within a small group of creatives, with room for reflection, discussion and shared thinking. With an ongoing private WhatsApp group for continued support, accountability and community after the retreat.

Last year's London retreat brought together hairdressers from around the world, and the response was incredible. The friendships and creative momentum that came from it are exactly why I am bringing it back.

Included:
All Creative Retreat sessions
Course materials and workbooks
Healthy lunch and refreshments on both days
Guided cultural evening in London

£950 | Payment plans available.
Link in bio or DM me for details.

Want a retreat in your city? We are currently;y looking for partners to collaborate with.

THE CREATIVE RETREAT
London, United Kingdom
26-27 July 2026
Location: Mash Studio, London

Most hairdressers start this career because they love creating.
�But over time, between clients, content, routine and pressure, many lose touch with that part of themselves.

The Creative Retreat is a two-day experience for hairdressers and creatives who want to step out of survival mode and reconnect with themselves as artists.

It is a space to slow down, think clearly, and return to your work with more intention.

Across two days, we explore mindfulness, wellbeing, finding your muse, moodboarding, concept development, visual storytelling, trend forecasting and social media strategy, helping you turn raw ideas into work that feels thoughtful, elevated and genuinely your own.

We look at how to move from inspiration into ex*****on, so your ideas can translate into real-world work, whether that is behind the chair, in your content, in competitions, PR or collection building.

This retreat is well suited to freelancers, salon owners and educators who want space to think, create and reconnect, without pressure or performance.

You’ll work within a small group of creatives, with room for reflection, discussion and shared thinking. Every attendee also joins an ongoing private WhatsApp group for continued support, accountability and community after the retreat.

Last year’s London retreat brought together hairdressers from around the world, and the response was incredible. The friendships and creative momentum that came from it are exactly why I am bringing it back.

Included:�All Creative Retreat sessions�Course materials and workbooks�Healthy lunch and refreshments on both days�Guided cultural evening in London

£950 | Payment plans available�Link in bio or DM me for details.

Still thinking about this one.
Stellenbosch was really special.

We took a couple of days out of the salon, out of the routine… and things just shifted a bit.
We spoke about creativity in a way we don’t usually get to.

Not just techniques. Just how we think, how we see, what actually feels like us.

And you could feel something change over the two days.
People started letting go of what they thought they should be doing.

Started trusting themselves a bit more.
Enjoying their work again.

That part always gets me.

And then there’s the people…
The conversations, the openness, how quickly everyone connects when the pressure drops.

It didn’t feel like an another course. It felt like a reset.

Thank you to everyone who came, and to Salon Centric for giving back to the industry and hosting us.

We’re looking at doing a couple more toward the end of the year… Johannesburg and possibly Namibia.

If this sounds like something you need, you probably do.
Register your interest, DM . Space will be limited.

I didn’t realise how much noise I was carrying until I stepped away from it.

Not just work… everything.
People, expectations, constant input.

Living on the boat has stripped a lot back.
Less stuff, less rushing, less trying to keep up.
And in that space, something shifted.

I feel calmer. Clearer.
More connected to what I’m doing again.

Creativity comes back really quickly when your mind isn’t full all the time.

It’s also made me more intentional.
Who I spend time with. What I say yes to. What I give my energy to.
Not everything deserves access to you.
And the less I hold onto what doesn’t serve me, the more space I have for what does.

This way of living has changed how I work, how I create, and what I want to build going forward.

Follow The Creative Retreat for more.

I created this campaign for the featuring .and their hero product, Dream Coat.

No over-styling. No distractions. Just the product and what it does best.

Humidity became the antagonist.
Rain. Storm. Then light.

When a product has this level of performance, you don’t need to overcomplicate it. You let it stand confidently in its own space.

Creative Direction and editing Candice McKay

I created this video by using midjourney.