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In today’s lesson I want to talk about something that can happen during a color consultation that could put you in a very strange situation.

That is when a client is pressuring you to guarantee an EXACT color results.


It doesn’t matter how good of a colorist you think you are, there are just many variables that go into the success of a certain haircolor outcome to predict an EXACT color.


For Example:

• The client's natural haircolor
• The tint that may be already on the hair
• The porosity of the hair
• The condition of the hair
• The length of the hair
• The formation of the hair
• Other chemical services such as perms or relaxers that may also be on the hair. 

In addition, there are the variables of environmental situations and electrical appliances, such as - sun damage, chlorine pools, curling irons, flat irons, over blow-drying, and overuse of hair products.

The list goes on and on.

All of these situations have to be considered when doing haircolor.

Therefore, in reality, it is impossible for us to promise an exact outcome. 

I have actually had clients who would show me a certain haircolor on a model in a magazine that she wants, and after the haircolor service was performed, she would stand before the mirror with the magazine photo in her hand and hold it up against her hair to see if the haircolor on her head was an exact match of the haircolor in the magazine.


This may be an extreme situation, but, believe me, that happens all the time.

I suggest that you never promise an exact outcome. 

The way to get around this is to use general descriptive terms such as:

(You would say these suggestions while both you and your client are looking at a photograph in a magazine or other visual aide.)

• Let's take your color in this direction.
• Let's go after a look like this photograph.
• I want to give you this kind of feeling with your haircolor.
• I like this idea... but I want to make it a little warmer, (darker, lighter, blonder, cooler).
• I would like to give you a color similar to Sally's.

These kinds of suggestions will give your client a good idea as to what you have in mind and, at the same time, not paint yourself into a corner by promising an exact shade of haircolor. 

These suggestions can be used while looking at photographs, a swatch chart or even describing the character on television.



For more information on handling client like this check out my Haircolor Consultation Course.

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