When Beth Minardi is asked "What do I do for the retouch?", she sighs. "I am asked this constantly," founder of the Beth Minardi Signature Shades Collection says. "My color designs are rarely simple and ordinarily involve several different shades and unique patterns. At the end of every class a hand goes up and that person asks how to maintain the look."

Minardi points out that each "retouch" should be handled separately. "In fact," she says, "I treat each retouch as if it were a color correction....because it is!" Minardi says that each time the client comes to the salon she must be evaluated. "Find out what she liked the best about her color and what she didn't like. Check how the color 'wore' from her last appointment. Did she spend a lot of time in the sun? Did she go swimming? Has she become significantly grayer...or is it a new season? There is so much consider." She adds that a retouch can be as simple as repeating what you have done before, but no attempt should be made to pick up or isolate the exact the same strands that were previously treated. "Just pick us strands and ASK THEM what should be done. They will answer."

In this interview, Minardi and Executive Colorist Mark Mileti chat about that retouch conversation. These two minutes are incredibly valuable for any colorist.