As we all hunker down and do our bit to protect others, the health systems and ourselves many Professionals myself included are faced with and sometimes literally through technology clients, friends and family starting to show their true colours.
Many will carry on as normal and leave their roots to grow out not bothered by it, whether it is in solidarity with others, knowing that they will not be seen out and about or in the case of exercise able to wear a hat (my tactic at the moment). OK my excuse is more to do with a lazy gene rather that a lack of product, know-how and time.
But as Professionals we need to be mindful that there are others out there not coping as well with the situation and their hair is yet another reminder that things have changed. In this blog I want to avoid the great debate on Box Colour but rather focus on where we can help individuals feel good about themselves in a situation where we are not physically present to do so.
Personal opinion MAJOR alert! For the majority of clients, it is still early days and many are just getting on with things while threatening to be the first in line for a big make-over when the lockdown and social distancing has been eased. For those clients I am like many Professionals using technology to reach out to them updating on the business status/services, offer messages of motivation and gratitude; in other words, letting them know I have not forgotten them and look forward to see them in the future.
But and here is the controversial ‘but’; I have clients who are very particular about their appearance whether they are still working or not; their reasons are their own. I want to be able to help them and there is a little bit selfishness here too, in that, if they want to colour their hair at home and they will anyway, I will enable them to do so in a way that gives them what they want and does not leave me with a big correction in the future.
So here is my approach; I make sure the client knows that they are taking on the responsibility of colouring their hair and that I will advise them if they agree; I cannot be held accountable for the result as the products they are using are different. Once they agree I let the client know a shade they can purchase in their pharmacy or supermarket (both are still open thankfully) you may need to do some research based on availability in your market. Example if I have them on a depth of a Light Brown, I suggest they buy a Light Brown which in most cases is a softer version than the professional counterpart. I avoid advice on mixing shades; that’s my job! If covering white/grey hair is a priority I keep it a basic natural but if not then I may suggest something on the depth I use with a similar tonal character to what they are familiar with. I do direct them to big Retail brands as their dyestuff is similar to what they use in their professional brands. My thinking is that when it comes to resuming their hair colouring if it needs fixing, I know what I am dealing with.
And there is more; I always advise they carry out a skin (allergy) test 48hrs prior to application of the colour to ensure it is safe, just because they use a given brand of hair colour does not mean they are safe to use any brand. I also when they come back to me carry out a new skin/allergy test when I move them back onto a professional product.
Advice for doing the colour; I like to carry out a video call so I can see their hair. I recommend they read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly and that they just apply the colour to where they or others will see it; partings, crown and hairlines. I can also see if they should or should not emulsify the colour through to the lengths and ends. I also suggest they may find an old toothbrush helpful to apply more accurately to the root area and it has the added benefit of feathering the product so it is less likely to create bands in the hair if accidentally overlapped.
I would add one watch-out here; there is a risk if you offer clients professional products to top-up or maintain their colour. Check the labelling on the product and if it says for Professional Use Only then it must only be used by a Professional. If not, you could be liable for any damages if you retail the product to a non-Professional to use.
I have never lost a client by recommending how they can temporally top up their roots, it is something I have had to do over the years. As more and more clients travel, live part of the year in a different locations or simply cannot get to see their Professional every time they need their colour done for a list of reasons that are growing in terms of complexity and uniqueness (I am now adding Pandemic) it is good to have a strategy. The feedback I have had over the years is that they really appreciate the advice comes from me and not that they have been left to their own devices. It also has brought a new level of understanding and respect for the complexity around professional colouring.
This too will pass and we will be back to normal in the not too distant future; it is a challenging time for any service industry and it is forcing us to think and even act differently. I would encourage Professionals to use this time to discover and learn even more about hair and hair colour but also how can we evolve our offerings that are sustainable in an uncertain world.
Stay safe
Caroline
