Sarah Kate Purvis: The Color Queen of Oxford

Sarah Kate Purvis has been perfecting her expertise in color for over ten years, and her clients are loving every shade.
With a solid foundation as a Redken Specialist and Certified Haircolorist, Purvis, owner of Style by Sarah Kate at 1729 University Avenue in Oxford, has learned from some of the biggest names in the hair industry, including celebrity haircolorist Tracy Cunningham. Cunningham’s clientele includes a vast array of A-list celebrities, such as Khloe Kardashian, Jessica Biel, Emma Stone, Lily Aldridge, and Dakota Johnson, among many others.
In addition, Purvis has taken multiple classes at the 901 Salon in Los Angeles, which is owned by Riawna Capri and Nikki Lee. Their clientele also includes a long list of celebrities, such as Julianne Hough, Blake Lively, Vanessa Hudgens and Cameron Diaz.
Purvis has a wealth of experience and a reputation for aiming for perfection when it comes to achieving the ideal look for her clients.
“The education I possess gives me the ability to recreate any look the client is seeking, whether it’s a photo from Pinterest, social media or a personal photo or magazine,” Purvis said.
“Consultation with my clients begins by taking into account the health of the hair, first and foremost. I place the health of hair as the most important factor in every application. If I feel as though the final look is unattainable without compromising the integrity of their hair, I will suggest a different plan of action. Next, I must consider their skin tone, the amount of upkeep they wish to take on, and, of course, working within their budget.”
Purvis’ satisfied customers are happy to offer testimonials on her behalf. “Sarah Kate is definitely the Color Queen,” said Sasha Hedges, one of her long-term clients. “She is very attentive to each and every one of her client’s needs and is a perfectionist.”
Purvis is also tuned into the latest styles. “The hair color trends for 2018 range from fantasy colors, which include anything from pastels to dark indigo, to buttery blondes, warm brunettes, and subtle ombres,” she said.
Balayage is another popular request from Purvis’ customers—and one that she has perfected through the years. Balayage (which means “to sweep” or “to paint” in French) has been around for a while but is becoming one of the biggest hair color trends of this generation. This freehand technique gives the stylist the ability to create custom looks for each client, resulting in a very natural, blended finish.
When considering fantasy colors, there are many factors to take into account, Purvis noted. Requiring a great deal of upkeep, they’re costly to maintain and not ideal for the client who frequently shampoos her hair. Depending upon one’s hair color, it can also take up to two or three processes to attain the perfect color.
Purvis said she also has a number of clients—men and women—who are graying and wish to maintain their natural hair color.
“My goal is to help each client accentuate their individual style,” she said. “I believe Coco Chanel was right on point when she said, ‘Fashion changes, but style endures.’”
The Hotty Toddy Team met with Sarah Kate for a quick tip on an easy, simple hair style you can do at home for any holiday party. Check out the video below:

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.