Things to know before you go:
- Try to walk into the salon with your everyday "look," so your stylist can get a feel for what you're comfortable with. ~ And accustomed to.
- If you have the time, do a little research into color science. Knowing the difference between terms like demi-permanent and permanent color can help you and your stylist communicate more efficiently. Study up with Redken's glossary.
- Your stylist is there to work with you to achieve beautiful color. The more you can explain what you want, the better the collaboration will be.
- If you are going in for "corrective color"—to correct color results you are unhappy with from a prior coloring experience—be prepared for a longer visit, as your stylist may need to remove old color and then recolor your hair. Depending on what is being corrected, it may take a few tries to get it just right.
Salon Prep Check List
Bring your inspiration: Photographs and examples of haircolor you love will help you and your stylist explore your color options—and ensure that you both mean the same thing when you say, "honey blonde," or "scarlet red."Sometimes, you and your new stylist connect and communicate perfectly from the moment you meet and it's like magic :) But realistically the languages you speak are not exactly the same and it can take time for them to know what you mean by certain preferences you have. They may interpret something differently than what you mean. This is why pictures are like the translator and stylists best friend. Bring pictures of when you love your hair and or who's hair you love. It will help them understand and deliver what you want.
Know your history: Be prepared to tell your stylist about any prior color services, whether it was highlights last year or a color gloss last month. What you have or had on your hair can impact the results of new treatments/color.
Trust Your Stylist: Listen to your stylist's expert opinion. During your color consultation, he or she will consider your desired result, then evaluate your hair's condition and look at your skin tone and coloring in order to create your custom color formulation.
But your stylist can't read your mind ~ don't move forward without being 100% sure you understand and agree with what they plan on doing. You have to live with it and they want you to LOVE it.
Ask questions: If you hear a color term you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask your stylist for an explanation. Remember to inquire about maintenance—how often you'll need to return to the salon for touchups, and how to best maintain your color at home between visits with Redken haircare products.
