Training, technique and promoting yourself - how to be a great colourist

As a colourist you need the confidence to shout about your skills, your qualifications and your passion. You have trained hard to become a first-class colourist and it's time for you to let everyone know it.

Training is important and it's essential that all members of the team regularly attend training courses. Whether it's a refresher course or creative colouring, updating your skills will keep you one step ahead of the competition, create confidence among your clients and generate experts in your salon.

So what makes a good colourist? According to Anita Cox from Cox McMillan, London, it is your vision and passion. "A good colourist needs to have an advanced understanding of the technical aspects of colour and the processes involved but what will make them really stand out is what they do with that know-how. An excellent colourist will bring their vision and creativity to the process and make it extraordinary.

"It is essential to be up-to-date with the latest techniques - how can you motivate your clients to improve their hair with colour if they are living in yesteryear?" she adds. "It is so easy to take your colour client for granted and use your top five colours day-in, day-out - get out there and be inspiring to all around you."

Carolyn Newman from Charles Worthington, London, agrees. "Our clients are getting information through the media and internet and as we work in the fashion industry, we must be up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. Manufacturers and hair companies release seasonal trends, some with workshops where you can learn the latest colour trends and new techniques."

There are different ways to ensure you are the number one colourist in your area, and training should be top of your list, but delivering the latest techniques and not being afraid to shout about what you do should also be a focus:

Techniques

While home colour is readily available, clients need to come to the salon for the latest looks. From sun-kissed highlights to partial colour to bring their cut to life, the colourist is the only person that can offer them what they want.

Mike McLeod from Fresh Lifestyle Salon & Spa in Islington, London, says that both clients and staff need stimulation. "The world constantly changes and clients are more demanding than ever, so for both the staff and the client it is essential colourists attend courses to learn the latest techniques. We need to push our staff forward and give our clients a reason to come back."

Sharon Peake from Ethos in Manchester, agrees and adds: "Techniques, like fashion, go through cycles depending on what clients and the team are seeing - whether it's a push on grey coverage, speedy colour services or different highlighting techniques. Making sure the team are up to date on the latest techniques is vital. We have to be able to provide what clients want and more."

However, you need to ensure your clients know exactly what it is they are getting. "It's crucial to use language that clients understand - it's our responsibility to ensure they know what they are getting," Mike adds.

Promoting your colourist

You may have the best colourist in town but does anyone know that? With a fistful of qualifications, you need to shout about their expertise. After all, they have spent years training and gaining qualifications, and are an expert in their subject.

Clients will be prepared to spend extra money to see someone who they know they can trust, who will offer them expert advice and give them exactly what they want. And, as well as word of mouth, the latest technology can also be used like emails, e-magazines and a website to update your clients.

Graham Poulter from Love the Salon in Gloucester, says every salon should use their local press as a mouth piece. "Using local newspapers and radio to promote your in-house experts and their skills is a great medium for capturing attention in your salon proximity. Likewise, offering specific colour events in the salon where your colourists demonstrate to clients is an opportunity to promote colour services to a new audience," he says.

Alternatively, use your team to spread the word. Amanda Dicker from The Chapel says the team is your most valuable marketing tool. "The front of house team is the first point of contact for most guests so it's important that they are aware of the services and expertise of the expert colourists," she says.