As any artist will tell you, creating art isn’t just about the masterpiece. It’s about understanding what you’re working with; the way colours interact with the canvas, how textures respond, and how every brushstroke adds meaning. For Michel Baltazar, hairstyling is exactly that—art. It goes beyond colour, technique, and trends. For him, it is an all-encompassing experience that blends emotion, intuition, observation, and a deep understanding of hair. As Moroccanoil’s Global Hair Expert, Baltazar views hair as a living canvas that not only reflects personality, culture, and individuality but also boosts confidence while respecting the texture’s natural story.
Having spent years shaping global hair trends and educating stylists across continents, Baltazar continues to champion individuality over imitation. His vision for the next wave of hair artistry reiterates the emotional truth behind hairstyling. “We should consider ourselves artists, not just people who style hair based on trends. We must learn to read people and give them what they need, not what they want,” he says, reminding stylists that the future of their craft lies in embracing imperfections, not concealing them.
DRAWING REALITY WITH HEART AND IMAGINATION
Ask Baltazar how he creates, and the answer is simple. He looks, he listens, and he observes faces, energy, and gestures. Every detail guides him. He believes that every head of hair tells a story, and hairstyling is a quiet study of people, expression, and mood. “India deepens this instinct. It’s a land of many cultures, a place where tradition sits beside modern confidence. Here, beauty is emotional. It’s rooted in identity and memory,” he shares. And that’s what excites him most.
“A
STYLE
isn’t just about the hair but about
UNDERSTANDING
the person in your chair and
CELEBRATING
their
INDIVIDUALITY.”
- Michel Baltazar
He doesn’t impose a vision; he interprets one. This approach feels organic to him. He respects the fact that India has always held tight to its heritage while adapting to modern aesthetics, and stylists who recognise this duality will always stand out. “I like to merge cultural nuances with emotion,” he says. “A style isn’t just about the hair but about understanding the person in your chair and celebrating their individuality.”
TEXTURE, TONE, AND TRUTH
For Baltazar, the future of hairstyling rests on three principles: natural movement, dimensional colour, and thoughtful care. He has seen the world move away from forced perfection towards softness, texture, and tone.
“People are embracing their natural patterns. They want hair that moves with them, not against them,” he explains. In India, this change feels especially strong. “Clients are rediscovering their roots, quite literally, as they celebrate authentic beauty and experiment with colours that enhance rather than overpower,” he explains.
Moreover, he believes that the convergence of beauty and wellness is what the future holds. “People don’t want just a service; they want an experience,” he adds. “The sound, the scent, the touch... it all matters.”
“You have to look at
HAIR
as
MATERIAL
. You must understand its
WEIGHT
, its
TEXTURE
, and how it
BEHAVES
under
HEAT
or
COLOUR
. Only then can you let
CREATIVITY FLOW.”
- Michel Baltazar
THE SALON AS A SAFE SPACE
Baltazar believes the connection between stylist and client goes far beyond hair. “Too often, stylists behave like executors, simply delivering what the client asks for. But hairstyling is emotional; it’s an exchange of trust,” he says.
He begins every appointment with a conversation. He studies features, senses mood, and pays attention to posture and tone. It’s in these small observations that he finds the truth of who someone is. “When someone sits in my chair, I don’t want them to feel changed; I want them to feel seen,” he says. “The moment you touch someone’s hair, it becomes personal. That’s where connection happens.”
For him, a great haircut doesn’t just transform a look but changes how someone feels about themselves. “If a client leaves feeling lighter, calmer, and more confident, like they’ve just returned from a two-week vacation, then you’ve done your job,” he says simply.
THE ARTIST AND HIS CANVAS
Baltazar’s artistry is rooted in education. He reminds stylists that creative freedom is earned, not improvised. “You can’t experiment without first understanding,” he explains. “Technical mastery gives you the confidence to take risks and explore your creativity.”
He’s quick to add that India is brimming with talent, but stylists often stop short of true exploration. “Many rely too heavily on formulas,” he says. “You have to look at hair as material. You must understand its weight, its texture, and how it behaves under heat or colour. Only then can you let creativity flow.”
And in a world that prizes polish, Baltazar reminds us of the grace in imperfection. He champions staying true to one’s roots, and he believes that the future of beauty in India is “respect for individuality.” For him, true artistry lies in truthfulness. It’s in teaching people to love the texture they were born with. It’s in colour that complements instead of competes. It’s in letting the natural fall of hair be beautiful, not hidden. For him, beauty has never been about flawlessness. It’s about truth and the courage to let it be seen. “Respect the hair and respect the person,” he says. “That’s one principle that will never go out of style.”