New professionals are often so enthusiastic after graduation from cosmetology school.
Many feel that the best thing they can do is to become an independent contractor.. rather
than to assist at a salon, or to attend post-graduate education before going into business.
There is so much to know! Listed here are what I believe to be the BASIC HAIR COLOR
SKILLS a professional needs to know UNLESS they decide to cut, style and texturize hair..
without performing hair color services. Again, these are just the basics. So, if you operate
a salon and are hiring talent, it might be good to learn if these new staff members know
how to do the following:
Be able to look at hair and assess if it has been previously colored or bleached
Be able to define the ten natural levels of hair color
Be able to mix and use the color brand(s) your salon currently stocks
Know how to mix bleach.. both powder and creme based products
Know the basic safety of hair color
Know how to cover gray with control
Know how to use demi permanent as well as permanent hair color
Know how to apply color with bowl and brush or with an applicator bottle
Know how to conduct a strand test for color development assessment
Know how to help a client into a salon cape and towel for color services.
Know how to prevent staining of the skin during application of hair color
Know how to paint on or foil wrap hair into selected strands for highlighting
Know what they DO know how to do.. and what they do NOT know how to do. (Know their limits).
Know how to choose the correct volume of developer for optimal color results
Know how to properly rinse, shampoo and condition hair when color is being removed from the hair.
These are simply a FEW of the basics. I regularly observe that many new colorists have never had the opportunity to mix or to apply color or lightener. They need our help.
If YOU can add to this list, please do so. Your comments are always most welcome. B
Know the limits of what you can and cannot do to the hair in front of you and when to say, no that is not possible. I observed a colorist recently tell a level 3 permanent hair color client with hair below her shoulder, that she could make her an all over cool blonde in one visit (this really happened). Hours passed and the ends did not budge from maroon. Hair literally rinse down the drain. As you’ve said, once a steak is well done. There aint no going back to rare.