June 15, 2022
Interview with World famous Celebrity men's groomer Joe Mills
We have been lucky enough to interview world Famous Celebrity men's groomer Joe Mills! Joe uses Benny Hancock For Men in his kit on a regular basis on his celebrity clients, so we wanted to share with you all more about his career!
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
My name is Joe mills and I’ve been in the hair industry since 1985. In 1998 I open opened my opened my own salon “the lounge soho” which was the first real boutique salon in soho london. Then we opened “Joe and co” in the same street which every one thought was crazy but has worked really well for us. The brands are very different but fit together under the umbrella of what we do. Joe and co is more barber focused which was a direction my work was heading in. I started really getting into session work during the 90’s and was mainly hair focused and it wasn’t until maybe 6 years ago that I also started to work in grooming and skin.
THAT’S EXCITING, HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS CAREER?
At 16 I left school and new I wanted to do something creative. I had a job in a hair salon in Margate where I grew up and lived the whole atmosphere and energy. So left school early and went into an apprenticeship program. The session work and grooming side came along much later and was due ti the fact that I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. It was a case of getting to know photographers and networking when I first started out. Shooting for no money for a couple of years and building up a portfolio and experience.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PROJECT YOU HAVE WORKED ON?
Wow tough one to answer but there have been so many over the years. I have a lot of amazing clients and if I’m honest it’s about the relationships you build with them and the teams around you. I’ve been really lucky to travel a lot and sometimes have to pinch myself that this is happening.
THAT’S INCREDIBLE! WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
I’ve just built my own personal studio which I’m based out of. This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while and in the end we opened in January. I am just about to launch some education days built around grooming and styling for shoots and red carpet. It’s the thing I get asked the most about. Also I am doing some business mentoring and this is something I really enjoy.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS AND WHY?
I work a lot with Kevin Murphy hair products which I love and obviously for skin Benny Hancock and for me the moisturising face perfecter is my go to
Product
WHAT ARE YOUR ON THE GO ESSENTIALS?
It really depends on the job and the client. My work is about making skin look natural so a good moisturiser and a bronzer are always in the bag
YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL DESTINATION?
I have a house in Croatia and have started to spend a lot of my down time there. It’s been a life saver from the craziness of living in central london
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE GROOMING INDUSTRY GOING?
Strength to strength really. There is a lot of opportunities out there and there has definitely been a big shift in the industry over the last few years
OUTSIDE OF GROOMING, WHAT OTHER INDUSTRIES ARE YOU INTO?
I really enjoy business and support a lot of people both inside and out side hair and barbering. Also I have worked with brands around product development and launching which I love. I’m also a dad so that takes up a lot of my time which is something I’m really proud of.
FINALLY, THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
Never cut your nose off to spite your face.. you will be surprised how many people come back into your lives and I have always been mindful of that.
To Follow Joe's adventures on social media: https://www.instagram.com/joemillshair
I hope you enjoyed my interview with Joe!
Stay Groomed,
Benny X