Beyond Hair: Exclusive Talk with Mounir at Cosmoprof Worldwide

April 10, 2025

Fresh off a show that drew a massive crowd and confirmed his superstar status in the industry, Mounir shared with Estetica Magazine his unique vision of transformation through color, the innovation behind his product line, and the values that continue to shape his global empire.

FROM WOMAN TO DIVA THROUGH COLOR: WHAT IS THE SECRET BEHIND MOUNIR’S SUCCESS?

“The secret is transformation. A true designer is someone who perceives beauty in a unique way. I constantly encourage my team to train their eyes to see and interpret beauty differently beyond what the public perceives. And the world is always ready for more beauty. When a woman sits in my chair, she’s not just seeking a new hair color; she’s searching for confidence, for a version of herself that she hasn’t yet discovered. My approach goes beyond simply changing hair, it’s about unveiling her essence. The right color, combined with expert technique and artistic vision, has the power to turn an ordinary woman into a diva. It’s a delicate balance of science and emotion, precision and intuition.“

YOU DEDICATED YEARS OF RESEARCH TO DEVELOPING YOUR OWN COLOR RANGE. WHAT WERE YOU LOOKING FOR, AND WHAT TRULY INNOVATIVE RESULTS DID YOU ACHIEVE?

“I decided to develop my own color range after more than twenty years of experience, during which I built a unique identity as a hair designer. My goal was to translate this identity into a brand and share it with fellow hair designers around the world. I wanted to address the challenges I had faced in my own work, hoping that the solutions I developed in my color range would help others minimize obstacles and allow them greater freedom to be creative. One of the biggest issues I encountered daily in my salons was the rapid fading of light colors after just a few washes. I knew I needed a formula that wouldn’t fade too quickly one that would deliver vibrant, long-lasting results without compromising the hair’s health. So, I dedicated years to perfecting a formula that would solve these problems colors that deposit beautifully, maintain their richness over time, and provide extraordinary shine. My products are designed for hairstylists who demand the highest quality, empowering them to push creative boundaries without limitations.“

COLOR AND AI: WHAT NEW FRONTIERS ARE EMERGING IN THIS FIELD? ARE YOU EXPERIMENTING WITH AI IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR COLORS?

“AI is undoubtedly the future, and every industry, including ours, can benefit from its advancements. However, I firmly believe that hair design is an art form deeply rooted in human experience, intuition, and personal connection. Even in my laboratories, I maintain a direct and personal connection with my chemists because they are the ones who translate my vision into real products. I work closely with them, ensuring that every formula reflects my expertise, artistic sensibility, and commitment to quality. At this point in history, I don’t know if AI could ever replicate that level of collaboration the ability to truly understand my thoughts, emotions, and creative process and transform them into something tangible.“

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST COLOR REQUEST YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CLIENT?

“Most of the clients who come to me don’t just ask for a specific hair color – they come for my vision. They trust me to choose for them, to suggest what will enhance their beauty in a way they might not have considered. Even when I was young, I always had a strong instinct for what would suit someone best, and I made it my mission to convince them of my choice. I trained myself to be confident and persuasive because I knew that when a client trusts my expertise, the result is always something extraordinary.“

COLOR SERVICES: CAN YOU SHARE ONE CHALLENGE YOU COULDN’T OVERCOME AND ONE THAT MADE YOU ESPECIALLY PROUD?

“No matter how advanced we become, one of the biggest challenges is correcting years of damage in just one session. Some clients expect miracles, but there are limits to what we can do while maintaining the integrity of the hair. On the other hand, one of my proudest moments was working on a woman who had lost confidence due to severe hair damage. After a long process of color correction and restoration, she saw herself in the mirror and cried not because of the color, but because she felt beautiful again. That’s when I knew I wasn’t just coloring hair; I was changing lives.“

YOU HAVE BUILT A GLOBAL EMPIRE IN THE HAIR INDUSTRY. WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST TURNING POINT IN YOUR CAREER?

“The turning point was when I stopped thinking like a hair designer and started thinking like an innovator. When I combined my artistry with business strategy, social media, and product development, everything changed. The moment I realized that hair designing wasn’t just about technique but about vision, branding, and education, I started building something much bigger than a salon – I built a global movement. Another significant turning point was when we started conducting masterclasses with a more advanced and more structured educational approach. This marked a major transformation for both me and the business. It was driven by the people they wanted to learn from me, to understand my techniques in depth. Their demand pushed me to explore new ways to educate fellow hair designers, whether through masterclasses, online courses, or hands-on salon training. Education became more than just an extension of the business; it was a game-changer that redefined our entire approach and elevated the industry standard.”

EDUCATION IS A KEY PART OF YOUR BRAND. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE HAIRDRESSERS MAKE WHEN WORKING WITH COLOR?

“The biggest mistake is not respecting the science behind color. Many hairstylists jump into coloring without fully understanding undertones, hair structure, and product chemistry. They mix without precision, apply without strategy, and then wonder why the result is not what they expected. My advice? Master the fundamentals before trying advanced techniques. Knowledge is what separates a good colorist from a great one.“

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN YOUR SUCCESS. HOW DO YOU THINK INSTAGRAM AND OTHER PLATFORMS ARE TRANSFORMING THE HAIR INDUSTRY?

“Social media has democratized beauty. Before, only celebrities had access to top hairstylists, but now, everyone can see transformations, techniques, and trends instantly. It’s a game-changer. Instagram, in particular, has allowed me to share my artistry with the world in real time. It has also raised the standards: clients are more informed, expectations are higher, and hairstylists have to keep evolving. The key is authenticity and consistency. If you master those two things, social media can take you to the top.“

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG HAIRSTYLISTS WHO DREAM OF REACHING A HIGH LEVEL OF SUCCESS?

“Three things:
1. Never stop learning. The moment you think you know everything, you stop growing.
2. Find your signature style. Don’t just copy trends develop a technique that makes people recognize your work instantly.
2. Be consistent. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Keep pushing, keep creating, and never lose sight of your vision.“

IF YOU HAD TO DEFINE THE FUTURE OF HAIR COLOR, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

“The future of hair color is inseparable from hair health. For too long, achieving the perfect shade often came at the cost of hair integrity damage, dryness, and breakage were accepted as part of the process. But that is changing. The next generation of hair color is about enhancing, not compromising, hair health. We are moving toward gentler, high-performance formulas that deliver vibrant, long-lasting results while actively protecting and strengthening the hair. Advanced ingredients, such as bond-builders, keratin complexes, and nourishing oils, are becoming essential in color formulations, ensuring that hair remains strong, hydrated, and full of life even after multiple color processes. Another key evolution is scalp care in hair coloring. A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair, so future color innovations will prioritize scalp-friendly formulas that minimize irritation and sensitivity while promoting hair growth and vitality. Ultimately, the future of hair color is about achieving stunning transformations without sacrificing the integrity of the hair. The goal is no longer just to create beautiful color it’s to create healthy, radiant, and resilient hair that looks and feels better with every coloring session.“