As a hairdresser, I specialised in cutting and I never actually coloured hair. I always knew good colour work when I saw it, but for a long time I never really understood the many subtle distinctions that made a particular colour suitable.

I could recommend the idea of colour to a client but then I would pass them over to a colour specialist.

These days I often hear hairdressers talking about sharing their formulations as if that is where the magic is, but it isn’t! The real magic when it comes to colour is in understanding why you do what you do. 

My guest on today’s Podcast is Lia Mei, a hair colourist and educator and years ago when I heard her breaking down the process of what makes colour choices work, it was for me a defining moment in my understanding of hair colour and suitability.  

So, in today’s podcast we will discuss:

• The Munsell Color System 
• Colour consultations
• Sustainability

And lots more!

In This Episode:

02:12] Welcome to the show, Lia!

[02:52] Lia shares her backstory and what she is doing today.

[05:03] Listen as Lia discusses the Munsell Color System.

[08:06] Lia talks about the six categories she uses during her consultations.

[10:36] The magic isn’t the formula; it is understanding what a client needs.

[13:12] Every woman can fit into one of 6 categories that Albert Munsell came up with.

[16:41] What are some right questions to ask in colour consultation?

[18:04] How much time should you take for a colour consultation?

[21:26] Lia talks about how she charges clients for colour.

[23:47] Lia discusses plex products and how much difference they have made for a client’s hair.

[26:35] Listen as Lia details what is included in her hourly rate and what is considered an upsell.

[29:58] Lia shares where she would like to see a technological improvement in colour.

[32:03] Lia speaks about sustainability in chemical and products in salons.

[32:51] Are you seeing more salons that are specializing in colour?

[34:25] Lia believes that extensive training in colour is important for young stylists.

[38:17] Lia discusses the home colour market and what salons need to do to combat it.

[40:26] Ongoing colour education is very important, not just the clinical but also why it’s done the way it is.

[42:33] Lia shares her insights into colour tables and whether she uses them.

[45:23] Lia speaks about the colour classes she teaches and what she shares with them.

[46:33] Lia has built a lot of her business off of social media.

[49:22] Lia gives some advice for a young stylist who is thinking of specializing in colour.

[51:17] Thank you so much for being on the show!

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons at the side or bottom of this post.

Also, I’d love it if you’d leave an honest review for The Grow My Salon Business Podcast. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I also love to hear what’s been helpful! Just click here to review, Click through to ‘Listen on apple podcasts’ scroll to the bottom, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple or Google to get automatic updates.

Special thanks to Lia for sharing her insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Links and Resources

Albert Munsell Books

Find Lia Mei

Instagram | Twitter