How to make ultra violet work for any client

Pantone has revealed ultra violet will be the 'it' colour of 2018 – a deep purple shade that is sure to be a hit with your clients. Can ultra violet work for all hair types? HJi spoke to leading stylists and salon owners to find out how you can get creative with next year's hottest hue.

Can Ultra Violet work for all skin undertones?

"This​ ​trend​ ​is​ ​best​ ​suited​ ​to​ ​the​ ​girl​ ​or​ ​woman with​ ​cool​ ​brown,​ ​blue​ ​or​ ​green​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​a cooler,​ ​underlying​ ​pink​ ​skin​ ​tone.​ For​ ​those with​ ​a​ ​warmer,​ ​yellow​ ​undertone​ ​you​ ​should slightly​ ​amend​ ​the​ ​formulation​ ​to​ ​include aubergine​ ​–​ ​this​ ​will​ ​perfectly​ ​complement​ ​the skin​ ​without​ ​changing​ ​the​ ​colour​ ​too​ ​much. The​ ​key to​ ​perfection​ ​for​ ​the​ ​individual​ ​is​ ​the technique​ ​used. For​ ​a​ ​bold,​ ​powerful statement​ ​you​ ​could​ ​go​ ​global​ ​on​ ​a​ ​full​ ​head of​ ​pre-lightened​ ​hair​ ​or​ ​for​ ​something​ ​more subtle​ ​and​ ​inconspicuous​ ​the​ ​hue​ ​could​ ​be used​ ​on​ ​pre-existing​ ​balayage​ ​or face-framing​ ​highlights. Highlighting​ ​key areas​ ​with​ ​a​ ​paler​ ​palette​ will mean ​you​ ​can​ ​intensify​ ​texture​ ​in a subtle way and​ ​by​ ​cleverly​ ​contouring you​ ​can​ ​enhance​ ​the​ ​overall​ ​shape​ ​by​ ​creating​ ​the​ ​perception​ ​of​ ​added​ ​length​ ​and​ ​width." milk_shake creative member Andrew Smith.

Can Ultra Violet work for all lifestyles?

"Your client's job will determine how they can wear it. If they are in fashion or if they have a more creative job, this is a great shade. If they work in a more corporate environment simple undertones would be better as it won't be so obvious. For clients with Afro hair these purple tones work well on relaxed hair with a few slices randomly placed throughout, or by placing colour through the mid-lengths and ends on curly hair." Junior Green, Junior Green London.

How can I incorporate Ultraviolet into different client looks?

“Lilac hues and deep plums all sit nicely in the ‘Ultraviolet sector’. When placed together these tones complement and add dimension to a full head purple look if you’re going all the way. Ultraviolet can be adapted into many techniques, my favourite is adding a modern twist on highlights; using the traditional highlighting method but adding some violet toner over the top is the way to go.. Violet tones also wash out easily if they aren’t too rich, so can be great fun for a week or so after your appointment and you can then revert back to your normal blonde highlights if you wish. You can also continue to add toner at home if you want to keep up the violet look." Steph Peckmore, Group Colour Director from Bad Apple Hair Andrew Smith

How can clients maintain the colour?

"Fashion colours can be hard to maintain as their vibrancy fades quickly so always recommend a professional shampoo and advise clients to top up the colour every couple of weeks." Junior Green "The​ ​best​ ​product​s ​to​ ​keep​ ​a client's​ ​new​ ​colour​ ​fresh has​ ​to​ ​be​ ​milk_shake’s​ ​global​ ​hero​ ​products Silver​ ​Shine​ ​Shampoo​ ​and​ ​Silver​ ​Shine​ ​Whipped Cream.​ The​ products are​ ​particularly important​ ​for​ ​when the​ ​colour​ ​begins​ ​to​ ​fade." Andrew Smith "To achieve a true Ultraviolet you’ll need a nice light base to begin creative colour on top. To prevent the usual damage your hair will endure when bleaching, mix in INNOluxe and it’ll counteract any damage the bleach is trying to do to the hair by strengthening the hair from inside each strand." Steph Peckmore For Ultra Violet inspiration head to our gallery and check out our Pinterest board [Image credit: lead image comprised of imagery from Bad Apple Hair]