Measuring Hair Colour (2024)

Hi all

I am a salon owner (although not a hairdresser) and am trying to cut down on product wastage in my salon. In particular we have a lot of colour wastage.

I have heard about other salons weighting the colour so you get the exact amount to mix up for a clients hair.

I have heard that this can cut wastage down by over half.

Do any of you have any experience in this or any advice you can offer? We use L'Oreal Colour at the moment.

Many thanks

Andy

Thanks Prettyflamingo that's a great idea about colour wastage...will implement that one!

How would a technician know what weight to use of a particular colour? Is it down to expertise and experience or are there set quantities?

Sorry to ask basic questions but I am not a hairdresser and want to make sure I am aware of all the facts before implementing anything!

Thanks

Andy

The majority of tint tubes come in a 60ml size which enables the colorist to quickly mix the tint with an equal amount of peroxide.

ie 60ml tint : 60 ml peroxide
30 ml tint : 30 ml peroxide

As you can see these are easy ratios.

Many years ago when I trained, we used L'oreal colors which do not have an equal mixing ratio, but the hairdressers always seemed to mix them up using equal ratios because it was easier for them. This also caused wastage.
I also remember my manager mixing tint without measuring the peroxide which also led to wastage or odd amounts left in the tubes.
It may be a possibility that your staff could be adopting these ways of mixing.

Weighing all the way! I am head technician so being responsible for the orders I hate to see waste!

Colour results are far more accurate with scales, saves washing measuring jugs.

From time to time we all mix up a little much! Ask your stylist/colourist to take into account the process....are they applying a regrowth application or doing a full colour? Also if you have an assistant/junior ask staff to teach them how to mix (obvs make sure they understand) it just means your technician can start a colour and of they run low there are a couple of other competent team members about to mix a little more!

Explain to your Staff the better u manage the costs of product use the more profit you make the better rewards/commission for them.

But defo get on the scales when measuring from a tube it's so much harder to be accurate so staff have a tendency to round up and mix to much!

Good luck

Just wanted to say thank to everyone for there help, fantastic source of information, thanks all! I'll keep you posted on what we do!

Thanks again!