Help your clients chime in their festivities by topping off your colour game with a few strategically planned choices. Yes, fashion flair and finances definitely go hand in hand. Here’s how to give clients a new hue, or enhance their current look, depending on their personality and lifestyle.
Artfully blending shades
“This year, I’m planning to work with a lot of sombrés, which look great on paler skin now that the tanning months are far behind. To balance it out, I like adding lighter shades to frame the face,” shares Alexandre Chabot artistic director for Matrix Canada and owner of Salon Nzo in Sorel, Quebec. This is a wonderful colourist’s trick that not only enhances everyone’s complexions for a more youthful and dewy look but also reduces the appearance of fine lines by adding more light around the face.
For Eric St-Jean, an educator for Kevin.Murphy and co-owner of Saco Laval, the idea this season is to lighten brunettes’ ends from one to two shades while adding more depth and contrast on the crown by creating an ombré look with another shade. “It’s a great way to create a nice colour effect for clients who don’t come in that often. And it’s good for your pocketbook, too, since you’re selling an extra tube of colour, which might add another $50 to $60 to the service,” he says.
Blondes (will) have more fun!
Contrasts of cooler and warmer shades of blonde are at the very top of the trends scale for this season, as well. Start on one side of the head with an ash blonde, then graduate to a warmer tone. By styling the hair on either side of the face, you can create a fresh new look on a whim. “But be careful never to place an ash shade near the face, as it can create a harsh look. Choose a peach or pink blonde instead so it picks up on the rosiness of the complexion,” advises Chabot.
At St-Jean’s salon, blondes will be cooler this season. “I’m going to be working with sand shades that have beige pigments,” he says, “by using a high-lift bleach with a 30 or 40 volume developer and then blending in another warmer shade. Contrasts are always richer and more interesting in terms of dimension, and they look more natural than one colour.”
Bookings are key
During the busiest time of the year in your salon, you need to manage your clients’ expectations with skill and finesse because, let’s face it, you won’t be able to squeeze in major changes for everyone before their big New Year’s Eve bash. “For a client requesting a dramatic makeover, I usually start working on her new colour at the beginning of November,” says Chabot. “That way, complicated colour jobs are done early in the season before you become crazy busy with last-minute bookings.”
“I always discuss the next appointment with my client when she’s sitting in my chair. That’s when I suggest new ideas and ‘sell’ her what we’ll do next time by tempting her with creative new ideas,” admits St-Jean. So, realistically, you should pre-book your January appointments when your clients come in for the holidays. That way, you can spread out those bookings during the month, prepare for slower weeks and avoid chaos when they all realize they need to touchup their colour at the same time for spring break.
“If the client comes back during the holiday season for a cut but no colour, I suggest a glossing service to stop colour from fading and add more intense shine,” says Chabot. “Or I’ll add the Egyptian Hibiscus Color Caring Oil treatment from Matrix’s new Oil Wonders Collection, which makes hair silky smooth and supple.” It’s just another smart way to increase revenue during the holidays, too.
Photographer: Peter Rosetzky
Hair: Danielle Blakeley
Colourist: Danielle Blakeley
Makeup: Kazuo Amano
Salon: Yoshiko Hair, Melbourne, Australia
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