The Makings of Mr. Beel

Knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life at a young age is a hard job, and at times it can be overwhelming. For Michael Beel (far left in image), it took him a little time to find his way. Before cutting tresses and creating hairstyles, Beel was studying Law and Marketing at Otago University. After giving a friend a Medusa inspired hairstyle for Halloween he was offered a job in a salon sweeping floors and shampooing heads. Loving the atmosphere and creativity Beel knew his calling was in hairstyling and not Law.

The inspiration behind his hairstyles are about texture and dramatic shapes. “I still wanted to keep it soft and feminine and the style of photography helped achieve this result,” the 33 year-old stated through an email. Everything from soft dreads, curls, to frizzy or crimped, Beel is able to able to make any shape. But practice makes perfect, and preparation equals a successful shoot. “Hair is my passion and my life and even on my days off I am practicing, researching, or planning my next shoot or show. I practice on mannequin heads all the time at home, to try out the shape and structure of each look so I know what I need to do on the day.” He also believes that having the right team for shoots is imperative in order to receive the right results.

Beel has also been able to travel throughout Australia, Singapore, India and New York for fashion week. The same passion he has for hairstyling, he shares the same enthusiasm for traveling. He wants to expand his success all over the globe and most importantly, partake in International Fashion Week. For over a decade Beel has been doing hair and leaves no room for other career choices. He has no regrets from switching career paths and says, “I absolutely love traveling and I am fortunate enough to travel some great places and try great flavors of the world. If I wasn’t doing hair I would love to be a food critic or do a TV travel show. It wouldn’t be law or marketing!”

Even though Beel has thrived in his career, he gives credit when it is due. He admires hairdressers like Antoinette Beenders, Robert Lobetta, Akin Konizi and Jayne Wild. Wild has been Australian Hairdresser of the Year twice and has contributed many years to the hair industry. But Beel holds his mentor and close friend, Derek Elvy, very close to him. “[Derek Elvy] is an iconic member of New Zealand’s hairdressing industry and has had work published all over the world. He has been my friend and mentor for 12 years.”

In Australia, hair dressers are able to exhibit their talent in a hair expo, and Beel was a finalist in 2004, 2009 and 2010. “These awards are the Oscars of the Australian hair industry,” he stated. In order to participate in the show a 20-30 page resume has to be submitted of your styles from the whole year, a business turnover, your contributions for the apprentice industry, how that has been promoted and any editorial spreads.

From now until next year, Beel will be preparing himself for another round at the hair expo. Even though he has not won a title yet, he is grateful to have been a finalist and is enthused for 2011. “Being a finalist three times is an absolute honor and privilege in itself. But I will be entering again. As you put your heart and soul into entering these awards and you learn so much about yourself, but deep down I also want the title!”
Words by Crystal Hardman