Clients are often eager to jump on the latest hair trends. Celebrity style and Instagram influencers are constantly showing off new hair colors, which leaves clients craving a change. While a change of color can work for most, there are certain factors that should be thought through before any big transformation. Mainly hair type, skin undertone, and upkeep. As a professional, you can help guide them to determine which hair color is best for them. The best place to start? With their skin tone. Looking at the undertones in their skin color can help guide the hair color process. To help stylists behind their chair, we’re sharing what you need to consider when helping clients pick a new hue.
Finding The Best Hair Color
It’s totally normal for clients to see an image of their favorite celebrity or influencer online and want exactly what they have. As a stylist, you can help them break down exactly what they love about the look and help create their own bespoke style. The most obvious place to start is with their base shade. Whenever chatting with clients about making a big change, it is important to point out to them where you’re starting. If the image they show you is of someone with naturally level 7 hair and your client has a natural level of 3, this is the first conversation to have with them. Explain to them that the palette they are starting out with is already much darker and that A). It will take much longer and many more appointments to get the desired shade or B). You can create a similar look but with a darker outcome. Once you’ve determined the level to which you are lifting or depositing, skin tone is the next major factor to consider.
Determining Your Skin Tone & How This Impacts Your Hair Color
The undertone of skin tones appear the same way that undertones are present in hair color. Warm, cool, or neutral. Understanding what undertone your client has, and explaining this to them, will help them understand why a certain hair color will or won’t work for them. The next question is then: “How to determine skin undertone?” As a rule of thumb, clients with lighter hair often have cooler undertones, while darker hair naturally has warmer undertones. Cool undertones will see hints of pink, red, or blue, while warm undertones have peachy, golden, and yellow shades. Additionally, clients with cooler undertones look better with cooler hair color and warmer skin tones look better with warmer hair color.
Common Shades Based On Undertone
BLONDES
Cool Tones
- Platinum Blonde
- Ash Blonde
Warm Tones
- Strawberry Blonde
- Golden or Honey Blonde
BRUNETTES
Cool Tones
- Ashy Brunette
- Mocha Brunette
Warm Tones
- Golden Brunette
- Butterscotch or Chocolate Brunette
Maintaining Your Hair Color
Once the desired hair color is achieved, the next step is always the maintenance. It is important to discuss in salon and at home techniques to help clients prolong their hair color.
Shades EQ is the perfect option to touch up their hair tone every 4-6 weeks. Whenever tone is concerned, Shades EQ is the optimal way to get the best result. How to upsell? Explain to clients that they can easily pop in for a gloss and blowout for upkeep.
Color Specific Shampoo & Conditioner
No matter what hair tone your client ends up with a shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair is a must.
Nature + Science Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo & Conditioner can be used on all hair levels and tones and works to extend the life of hair color. This natural Sulfate-, Silicon- and Paraben-free formula, cleanses with naturally-derived ingredients maintaining color radiance and enhancing color-treated hair.
Color Extend Blondage Shampoo & Conditioner is the perfect duo for blondes and brunettes who are looking to cancel out the warmth and add neutral to cool tones to their shade.
Masks
Aside from keeping the tone of your hair color looking fresh with Shades EQ and Color specific shampoo and conditioner, the health of your hair is also equally important. Hair that is healthy will see an increase in color longevity. Not only will the color last longer, but healthy hair will also have more shine and a better finish when styling.
Try: Color Extend Magnetics Mega Mask
