With over half a million followers on Instagram and 775K on TikTok, Tobias Bell is more than just a hairstylist—he’s a cultural force.
Tobias Bell rock’n’roll-inspired aesthetic and transformative haircuts have captivated a global audience, blending nostalgia with modern edge. Raised in a family of hairdressers, Tobias found his own voice in the industry through social media, where his viral makeovers have inspired both clients and fellow stylists. In this interview with Estetica’s Sergi Bancells, he opens up about his creative process, the impact of music on his work, and how he balances life behind the chair with the demands of content creation.
Tobias, your rock’n’roll aesthetic has become your signature. How did your personal style influence the type of work you create in the salon?
“They go hand in hand together. If I embrace a way of life it resonates in my work. Music is my way of life and this therefore influences my fashion and hair styles. My fashion comes from music and music determines what I wear. A lot of my personal style comes from 60s, 70s and 80s where rock stars would have iconic hair cuts, be known for certain outfits and music – my cuts reflect that.“
You come from a family of hairdressers. How has growing up in a hairdressing environment shaped your career and creative vision?
“To be honest, growing up in a hairdressing environment from a young age, actually put me off doing it. The smell of a perm on a Saturday morning was enough to do that! However, once I found my own style, grew up a little and started to take a real interest in the talent of my parents, it became so exciting for me. I have always been a creative person, I’ve tried sales, working with cars and many other careers and nothing quite tickled the creative part of my brain like hairdressing does. Also, it means I get to meet amazing people, day in and day out! My mum and dad have been hairdressing through many iconic eras, whether it be shags in the 70s or big hair in the 80s and razored layers in the 90s and I love to bring out photos of their old work as reference. My Dad also used to write articles for Estetica so this is a full 360 moment for him!“
Your transformation videos have captivated millions on Instagram and TikTok. What do you think resonates most with your audience about these makeovers?
“I feel it resonates with a lot of people as these iconic styles I recreate are often only found on the original people that had them back in the day. I love that my content has became a look book for those that can’t come to an appointment with me, to show their hairdresser. What I find most rewarding creating my content, is watching my clients personalities come to life after giving them a new style. I notice my audience engage with this and love to see my clients reactions and their personality shine.“
Social media is a big part of your success. How do you balance the demands of creating content with your day-to-day work as a hairstylist?
“Creating content and editing videos has become quite therapeutic to me whilst balancing this with a full column of clients. It makes it all worthwhile due to the opportunities it has brought me. It can be a struggle to keep a balance, I’m very motivated towards a goal and sometimes it’s difficult to fully switch off. I ensure I take enough me time by enjoying working out, riding my Harley Davidson, eating good food and catching up with friends – this helps me to balance the demands of being a busy guy.“
Your videos often go viral. Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment or story that stands out from creating one of these iconic transformations?
“It would have to be my first viral video. At that point I’d been consistently posting for about 1 year and nothing particularly blew up but I was waiting for that moment. I was sitting having a very normal evening with my family and girlfriend watching a film. I was a bit nervous to post, it was one of my first proper rock and roll cuts (Mötley Crüe style) so I was nervous for the reaction. My girlfriend encouraged me to post so I did, I just needed the nudge. I posted and threw my phone away from me (as I always do when I post) otherwise I obsessively check every 2 minutes to see how a video is performing! I picked my phone up 10 minutes later and saw it had reached 50K, then refreshed again 75K and it kept spiralling up from there. I would say this is the moment that changed my career and I’m forever thankful for those that were there from the start.“
Many young stylists look up to you. What advice would you give to those trying to carve out a niche and build a strong social media presence in this industry?
“Be authentic to yourself! I live and breathe rock’n’roll and have grew up around the music and fashion that surrounds my niche. It’s great to get inspired by other creators but build a niche that is natural for you! Also, stay consistent! Don’t be disheartened if your videos don’t do well straight away. Social media platforms reward you for consistency, so keep it up. And most of all, have fun with it!“
If you could collaborate with any other hairstylist or brand in the industry, who would it be and why?
“To name just one would be an insult to the many talented people I come across daily – however I’m always open to collaborating with likeminded people in any field!“
What’s next for Tobias Bell? Can we expect to see more of your creative process, education content, or…???
“I’ve started my own podcast, it’s early stages but I’m excited for where it’s going. We have got some cool people lined up so watch this space. I want to also let people get to know me more, not just being behind the camera. Posting more about my lifestyle, fashion, etc. I plan on doing a lot more travelling and incorporating cutting hair into this. I’d love to do pop ups in cool little salons with amazing histories to absorb their tips and tricks and share their stories.“
