Six color consultation tips to follow before starting any in-salon coloration.

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DELIVER AN EXPERT COLOR CONSULTATION

Our all-inclusive range of color Essentials, has been developed to help hairdressers master any color service. Follow these professional tips for a pro consultation to match!

To ensure a successful in-salon color service, it's important to fully understand a client’s needs, as well as the condition of their hair and scalp. Understanding why a client wants to color their hair, for instance, will inform the choice of product, whereas the condition of their hair and scalp will determine how to achieve the desired result.

Follow the guide below to deliver an expert consultation, and perfect color results every time!

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DISCUSS THE CLIENT'S COLOR NEEDS

Each client wants to look and feel their best, so finding the correct shade and treatment is the basis for a successful salon color service. While there are many reasons an individual chooses to color their hair, the most comment factors are:

NEED: covering white; matching re-growth

DEMAND: it’s time for a change; for a special occasion; to improve self-confidence; to live the latest fashion trends

DESIRE: longing for a more youthful look; to lighten or darken hair; to enhance natural hair color

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TIME FOR A DIAGNOSIS

A precise diagnosis of a client’s hair and scalp is essential. Misjudgement at this stage means the final result may not be what the client was expecting. Although it may be possible to adjust or correct the tone direction later, the real damage will be measured in customer confidence. The following factors must be checked in order to achieve the best diagnosis possible:

  • Natural hair color
  • Previous treatments
  • Percentage of white
  • Hair diameter
  • Hair quality and scalp condition
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CONSIDER THE HAIR HISTORY

It’s a good idea to speak to your client about their hair history. Have they colored their hair before? What kind of colors have been used? These are both factors that affect the final outcome. A great way to predict the finished result is to do a strand test ahead of their main appointment. Simply take a strand of hair and apply your exact color formula to it, then use this as a guide.

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ASSESS YOUR CLIENT'S HAIR QUALITY

Porosity is the characteristic that has the strongest impact on the coloring process. Simply looking closely at hair should be enough to judge its overall condition. For example, check if the hair is dry and coarse or smooth and manageable. 

Over-porous hair can be the cause of many coloring failures, including uneven absorption, ‘off’ colors and ‘cottonwool’ ends. In case of very porous hair, more and larger color pigments are able to penetrate the cortex resulting in a darker finish than expected, with neutral to cool shades and quicker fading. To best prepare porous hair use the Hair Primer from the color Essentials support kit.

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ASSESS THE SCALP CONDITION

Evaluate the condition of the scalp. If the client has a delicate, itchy and dry scalp use Scalp Protect from our range of color Essentials before proceeding with the color service. The use of any chemicals is only advised when both the hair and scalp are in good condition. 

Remember: a skin test is mandatory prior to every hair coloration. In rare cases para-dyes and/or pre-cursors used in permanent hair coloring products can cause an adverse reaction; if the skin test is positive, the service should be abandoned, and the client referred to a doctor or dermatologist. If an adverse reaction occurs during a coloring process, the hair and scalp should be rinsed immediately.

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PROTECT YOUR CLIENT’S SKIN

Protect the skin around the hairline by using Skin Protect as a barrier cream. Apply the cream approximately 1cm wide around the hairline. As the skin behind the ears tends to be extra sensitive and dry, pay special attention there, especially with clients who wear glasses. Take care not to get any cream in the hair. 

Dry skin will stain much faster than oily skin types where the natural acid mantle forms a protective layer. If a dye gets into contact with the skin, use the Stain Remover from our range of Color Essentials to clean the area immediately.

"We understand that a color service is not about individual products, it's about the total look. It should create a complete experience for the client – as well as value for the salon. 

Using these six consultation steps before starting a color service will help you offer a more premium service to your clients."

Lesley Jennison
Global Color Ambassador

Image Lesley Jennison Coloring Hair
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