What is a Color Correction?
Hair Needing Color Correction
A color correction is any coloring involving major color transformation.
Some examples of this would be:
A total color make-over, such as taking a client from dark to blonde.
Color stripping or bleach stripping and then taking the hair to an entirely different color.
Dramatic change in a color reflect, for example from a very warm reflect such as red, orange and yellow to very cold reflect such as ash or platinum or grey.
Dealing with hair which is inconsistent between roots, mid-lengths and ends.
Removing a huge color build-up of dark box color.
What is the technique a stylist needs to follow when they do color correction?
A typical process of color removal would require the steps below.
Step One: color removal using bleach on some or all of the hair
Step Two: re-toning or re-colorng the hair
Step Three: conditioning and treatment of the hair
So how much should a Color Correction cost in 2024?
You would need to pay the colorist not only for their time, but also their expertise and product cost.
Even a relatively simple color correction can take around 2 1/2 hours to 3 hours.
That would include processing time, washing, towelling time.
A typical charge would be $120 an hour for such a service.
So the total bill would come to $300 to $375 for such a service.
This charge would obviously vary according to where in the US you are.
If you live in downtown NY or in Miami or LA it could be higher.
And if you are in a small town it could be lower.
Even at at $100 an hour, a regular color correction (3 hours of work) should cost the consumer around $300.
And if it is a major correction, involving multiple stages and perhaps 4 or 5 hours, then it is going to cost around $400-$500.
Roots, Mid-lengths, ends...All Different!
Knowledge & Expertise
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From Brunette to Platinum Blonde. Transformation achieved in 1 session of Color Correction
There is also the knowledge aspect of it.
The above transformation was achieved in just 1 session. Not all colorists can do this!
From a stylist's point of view, a color correction case like the above is a truly major thing.
This is where she or he makes or breaks his or her reputation.
Should I go for multiple sessions instead?
Sometimes the temptation comes to go to a stylist for 3 separate and cheaper sessions.
3 mini-sessions, if you like.
Some hair stylists do suggest this. Color correction in stages.
We respectfully disagree with this approach.
Do it once and do it right would be our motto.
Assuming quality products are used, and assuming the stylist knows his or her stuff, there is no reason to do it in 3 stages.
You will just end up damaging the hair more.
And spending more by paying for 3 sessions!
It is far better to fix everything once properly.
Invest the money and the time to bring your hair back to where it should be.
It will work out cheaper in the long run.
What are the go-to color correction products that stylists use during Color Correction?
Products used typically involve the following:
- A very good quality bleach.
- Fresh, good quality cream developer.
- Toning products. These can be high lifting, regular lifting or no-lift toners according to the situation.
- Good quality hair care products for during and after. Typically a purple toning mask and a bond protect mask.
We will go through these products in this blog now.
We will also give you some simple recommendations if you are a stylist who is looking to get into color correction.
A Good Quality Bleach & Developer
A quality bleach is generally the first and the most important part of color correction.
We recommend Brilliant Blondexx with Bond Protect.
The extra protection, plus the very efficient lift, means that it works fast, using only 20 or 30 Vol developer.
Which is important, as it means you don't end up frying your hair with excessively powerful developers.
The Bond Protect in the bleach means that the hair is protected during the bleaching process with Maleic acid and strengthened.
So you should find that the hair is in good condition after using this bleach.
Very importantly, this bleach works for on-scalp and off-scalp use.
Brilliant Blondexx gives up to 7 levels lift using 20 and 30 Vol developer.
Brilliant Blondexx & 30 Vol Developer
High Lift, Regular Lift & No-Lift Toners
There is nothing as useful to a colorist as a set of really powerful professional toners in her cupboard.
After bleaching, a toner is what you use to get rid of unwanted warmth and change the reflect from warm to cool.
Intense Pearl Blonde 100V is very often used by stylists to do this blonde transformation.
This is a toner with lift, so it is very useful in cases where the hair is still very warm, yellowish-orange for example, even after bleaching.
For hair which has been lifted but is still yellow, then Regular Lift Pearl Blonde 10V can be used.
And hair which has been truly well lifted, and just needs blonde refreshing, then ammonia-free Blondify gel toners would be great.
These toners, which are some of our best selling toners, are given below.
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Intense Pearl Blonde 100V - Ultra White toner with lift
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Pearl Blonde Toner 10V - Toner with Regular Lift
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Blondify Natural Ash Blonde Toner - Ammonia Free, Non lifting
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Blondify Natural Violet Blonde Toner - Ammonia Free, Non Lifting
Purple Mask.
Brilliant Blonde Purple Mask can be used while the bleach is processing on the hair, or after rinsing off the bleach.
It can also be used after toning and also at home to maintain the blonde color of bleached and toned hair
It will take any remaining yellow out of the hair.
The formula of the mask is acidic, with a pH of around 4.5.
Which means it will help prevent hair damage.
Bond Protect Mask
Another mask which is very useful for a stylist is a Bond Protect Mask.
Ugly Duckling's Brilliant Blondexx Mask is enriched with Maleic Acid, or Bond Protect.
Use of this mask helps strengthen the internal bonds of the hair, repairs split ends and prevents hair damage.
Brilliant Blondexx is another acidic formula, as indeed are all of Ugly Duckling's masks.
It will leave the hair thicker, fuller, and also more supple and strong.
We recommend that you use this after a color correction session.
Brilliant Blondexx Bond Protect Mask
