There’s no doubt that a thorough consultation is key to managing client expectations. Whilst A-listers often dazzle us with drastic ‘overnight’ colour transformations, clients don’t see the hours of work (not to mention the money) that has gone into this.
Realistically, a perfect ‘celebrity’ blonde might take months to achieve on a client – but they won’t always want to hear this! Instead, I like to introduce the idea of a hair ‘journey’, using the consultation to explain what that will look like over the next few appointments. It’s all about understanding the client’s inspiration, showing them what’s achievable with their hair type and setting realistic goals.
When clients bring a photograph of a celebrity to the consultation, I always start by looking at the skin tone and assessing whether the colour is achievable for the client – do they have a similar complexion or eye colour? Something else I like to do is cover up the celebrity’s face and check that the client still likes the hair – you’ll be amazed how many people are actually swayed by the whole picture (well let’s face it, who doesn’t want to look like Gigi Hadid!). Ask them what they like about the image – is it specifically the colour, or the way it’s been styled? – and use this to map out a personalised plan.
I also encourage clients to bring images or references of colours and styles that they don’t like. Having ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ to compare helps me to eliminate the risk of any miscommunication.
No two heads of hair are the same, so it’s important that an A-list inspired colour is tailored to the client. Celebrities have the time, budget and a glam squad on speed dial, so make sure. your client understands that the service will be bespoke to them.
Thankfully, most celebrity colour trends can be adapted to suit your clients’ requests. I’m still getting loads of requests for Sabrina Carpenter’s warm blonde, which is great since it’s such an adaptable colour.
Talk to the client about how you can make a particular shade work for them. Take the Mocha Mousse trend, for example. We’ve got lots of clients wanting to tone down their blonde and embrace darker shades, so we’ll perhaps incorporate Mocha Mousse through sections, placed to break up the blonde for a lived-in feel, or we can use it boldly to create more of an overall brunette result. It’s about taking that initial inspiration and tailoring it to the individual.
As well as the obvious visual cues such as skin tone and eye colour, it’s also important to consider the client’s lifestyle when discussing a colour change. How often can they realistically return to the salon – both in terms of time and cost? If their expectations seem unrealistic, discuss ways in which the colour could be altered to suit their budget or their schedule, and explain why this would be a more suitable option.
Hair health is everything. Celebrity colours often look flawless on camera because of the dedication to maintenance, and intensive treatments before events help ensure they’re photo-ready from all angles. I always remind my clients of the importance of at-home care and regular salon treatments, this ensures the colour stays as fresh and glossy as the day it was done.
Make sure your clients understand the need for quality aftercare products. Rather than introducing the subject at the end of the appointment, where it might feel more like an afterthought, use the consultation to introduce the subject of professional products and how they can make a difference to the longevity of a colour. Explain the products that you use throughout the service, pointing out how they help with vibrancy and shine, and remind clients of the need for heat protection and regular conditioning to avoid colour fade. Remember, clients look to you for advice as a professional, so this is less of a ‘hard sell’ and more of a genuine opportunity to use your expertise to educate and further win your clients’ loyalty.
