An online certification course and regional academies are just two options Matrix offers for professional education. 

What products or range of color is generating the most buzz heading into fall?

Vivid and pastel shades are still all the rage. Watercolors from Color Sync are shimmering shades that offer a range of tones from saturated to pastel, and last longer than traditional dye technology. This fall, our trend, Candy Strobe, features hair strobing, a technique that is all about highlighting your best feature. Strobing is not just for makeup, but a way to enhance your facial features with pops of color—it’s all about how you approach your placement of color. Discover the inspiring palette from mochas, to warm golden blondes to delightful pastels.

What is your most popular color education class or experience?

Essential Balayage by far. Balayage is still the number-one requested service in salons and to meet the growing demands of their clients, has become a necessary skill set for stylists to know. Essential Balayage, offered at our Matrix Regional Academies, is a hands-on, technique-focused class that offers each participant skills they can take back to the salon the very next day. We have 30 Matrix Regional Academies across the United States that offer a range of hands-on classes from Essential Balayage to Men’s Cutting; all are in a small class environment for one-on-one learning. We believe hands-on education is the key to elevating confidence and success.

What education and resources can a salon or solo artist expect to receive immediately, and then over the first six months, after switching to or adding Matrix’s color line?

The salon/stylist will immediately be eligible to enroll in our loyalty program, Matrix Friends & Family, and begin earning points towards great rewards. Matrix Friends & Family has a comprehensive catalog of rewards ranging from education to backbar, merchandising, tools, accessories and business programs. Additionally, the purchase of a large new user kit will qualify them for an in-salon education class; a small color new user kit qualifies for an in-store color intro class. Over the next six months, based on their individual needs, the salon/stylist can partner with their sales consultant to create a plan for continued education with Matrix.

What type of swatch books and other resources does Matrix have that professionals can add to their color library?

We offer traditional hair color resources like swatch binders, manuals, quick reference and inspirational technique guides. We also offer a range of digital support and learning tools. Our favorite is the Color Formulation Tool, which serves as a digital swatch book and assists stylists with consultations, formulating and provides inspiration anytime, anywhere. Also, we’re excited to be introducing Hair Hacks—a series of quick reference videos that tackle common stylists’ challenges.

What business-building education does Matrix offer salons?

We always aim to help our community of stylists reach their goals and realize their full potential—and for that we look to the very best. We are proud to have Tabatha Coffey as our Global Business Ambassador. Join Coffey in October at Salon Elevation, an interactive program that offers salons an up-close-and-personal opportunity to fi ne tune their business skills and look at hair color in a whole new way. Coffey shares her seven business tips and ideas on social media activations and client retention, while our Technical Director, Leah Sterk, explores new ways to create vibrant reds, rich brunettes, bright blondes, conquer gray challenges and maximize color potential. Contact your SalonCentric salon consultant, visit your store or log on to SalonCentric.com/education or call 800-282-9866.

What additional key color education initiatives are in the works?

We recognize the need to have learning available to all— and at any time. That’s why we’re bringing education to our stylists through our SoColor online certification course. This course is a user-friendly, knowledge-based program that walks through the SoColor system in video chapters. It’s also mobile optimized, so it can really be taken at any time. At the end of the course, we recognize our learners as certified in the theory of SoColor with an official certificate.

BRAND BASICS:

ONLINE: matrixprofessional.com

HOTLINE: 888.777.6396

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ADVANCED ACADEMY: Matrix Global Academy, New York City

EDUCATORS: Artistic directors: Nicholas French, Robert Santana Steve Waldman, Danielle Keasling, Daniel Roldan, Chrystofer Benson, Dan Csicsai, Lenny Strand, Nick Stenson; Celebrity colorist George Papanikolas