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SEARCHInstagram is the modern platform for haircolor work—it’s where clients go for ideas, and often where they go to find a hair pro to do the job. So what are the characteristics that modern hair color must have to make it big on the ‘gram? Let’s break it down!
The haircolor that stops thumbs isn’t about concealing, it’s about enhancing and beautifying existing color with subtle, iridescent undertones and powdery nuances. This cool brunette by Chrissy Danielle, @hairbychrissydanielle was created with: BLONDME Bond Enforcing Premium Lightener 9 + 20-volume (teasy lights and balayage); the new tbh-true beautiful honest 6-06N + 20-volume (root melt); and tbh-true beautiful honest 8-49C + 9-06N + 9-49C + 6-volume IGORA VIBRANCE Activator Lotion 13-volume developer (global gloss)—all Schwarzkopf Professional.7
Instagram is the modern platform for haircolor work—it’s where clients go for ideas, and often where they go to find a hair pro to do the job. So what are the characteristics that modern hair color must have to make it big on the ‘gram? Let’s break it down!
An Authentic Esthetic
“People´s esthetics have changed,” says Victoria Hunter, co-founder of Whittemore House salon in New York´s West Village. “They’re looking for hair color that’s more real and redefined. There’s less of that desire to make a bold statement of, ‘Look! I´ve just had my hair colored.’” So how does that translate into the way clients like to wear hair color today? Think subtle, powdery nuances with visible highs and lows, even within natural and warmer tones. Look for multi-dimensional effects as well as a natural glow to the finish vs. a too-glossy, “doll hair” sheen. For San Diego blonding expert Carly Zanoni, @the.blonde.chronicles, the new tbh-true beautiful honest permanent haircolor collection from Schwarzkopf Professional ticks all the boxes. The assortment of 26 cool, natural and warm shades reflects hair’s natural highs and lows and displays shimmering powdery tones with subtle iridescent undertones. The range also features a unique Tone Softener that can be combined with tbh—true beautiful honest shades and IGORA VIBRANCE Activator Lotion to achieve the same effects as a demi- or semi-permanent formula for toning and glossing.
A quick color refresh map by Chrissy Danielle, @hairbychrissydanielle
Artistic Techniques
Modern haircolor artists need to get creative! Cultivate a range of go-to techniques, like pastel toning with shade depth, glossing to refresh dull mids and ends, root stretch, balayage, baby lights, teasy lights, highlights on darker shades, dimensional lowlighting and contouring. Cleveland-based Chrissy Danielle, @hairbychrissydanielle, says these techniques don’t have to be intimidating. “For a super quick color refresh,” she notes, “a fresh money piece with back to back baby lights and teasy lights in front, and a few diagonal teasy lights throughout will give you maximum impact in a short time.”
Transparency In Product Formulation
Clients today want to be in on the choices made regarding what’s used in the salon. They’re concerned about safety and health, and they value companies that are honest and transparent about their ingredients. That’s why Hunter, Danielle and Zanoni appreciate tbh—true beautiful honest. The products are formulated up to 50 percent less ammonia, and with a specific dye called HEP that helps reduce the risk of developing allergies. What’s more, they contain grape seed oil, which leaves the hair with a natural touch of shine. All these benefits are highly appealing to today’s educated haircolor client.
Remember, whether you’re picking up where you left off or building a hair color business from the ground up, Instagram can help get you where you want to go—especially if your feed reflects these modern trends. It’s time for a fresh new take on haircolor!
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