In Good Hands: Hair Savant Amanda George Reflects on Her 40-year Journey in Color and Craft
Amanda George in her Beverly Hills salon, foils and Matador gloves in hand, celebrating 20 years of her salon, ROIL.
Some practices stay with you forever. Products evolve, trends come and go, and technology constantly reshapes the craft, but a handful of tools remain essential. For me, it’s my gloves.
When I first arrived in Beverly Hills, I was still applying highlights barehanded. One day, a coworker pulled me aside and warned me I was putting my health at risk: the metals in the foils and the chemicals in the color would inevitably seep into my skin after years of exposure. Until then, I had only worn gloves for single-process color. The very next day, I changed my ways.
Of course, not all gloves are created equal. Eventually, I discovered Matador gloves from Germany: custom-size, incredibly durable, and admittedly pricey. But they last a month or two, compared to the disposable gloves most busy salons go through daily. The difference was transformative: not only did I protect my health, but I also dramatically reduced waste. When I think about the environmental footprint of all those discarded disposables, I’m stunned.
Switching to Matador was one of the simplest, most impactful decisions of my career.
If there’s one piece of advice I’d pass on, it’s this: invest in your second skin. Protect yourself, and protect the planet, one head of hair at a time if you’re in the hair business.
This philosophy of balance and longevity has guided my entire career including building my salon, ROIL, which this year proudly celebrates its tenth anniversary. When I opened the doors a decade ago, I wanted it to be more than just a place to get your hair done. ROIL was built as a sanctuary: a space where artistry meets wellness, and where clients feel cared for inside and out. Looking back now, I realize the same values that led me to swap gloves years ago are what have allowed me and ROIL to stand the test of time—protecting what matters most, while evolving with intention.
That mind-set carries into my daily life, too. My Oura Ring confirms I’m a late-morning person, so I structure my days to start after 10 AM, leaving mornings free for exercise, intention-setting, and grounding practices. I’m highly scheduled by nature, and it keeps me on track, on time, and sane. One non-negotiable? I never take business calls after 6 PM.
Evenings are about winding down. I stretch for ten minutes, then settle in with a good book or TV show, often paired with a baby pour of exceptional red wine. I also prioritize inner health for outer beauty. I’m diligent about supplements, guided by my functional medicine doctor, Dominique Fradin-Read. Right now, I’m on a regimen of peptides, plus Harklinikken’s shampoo and daily conditioner. I also drink plenty of water before bed to keep my skin hydrated.
For me, it all comes back to longevity: in hair, in health, in ROIL, and in life. Protecting what sustains you is always worth the investment.