custom colour.

Pre-Appointment

  • New Clients: If you are new, please use professional shampoo and conditioner for at least 2–4 weeks prior to your appointment. Drugstore products often contain harsh ingredients that can cause chemical reactions, leading to unnecessary damage during the lightening process. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week during this period is also recommended to remove buildup and prep the hair.

  • Clean & Dry Hair: Wash your hair the night before your appointment. If you have a clarifying shampoo, wash twice to remove buildup. Apply K18 mask after washing (do not use conditioner when applying the K18 mask). Arrive with fully dry, clean hair — wet hair requires extra time to dry, and dirty hair interferes with lift and often requires more product. In both cases, this can lengthen the appointment and result in additional charges.

  • Clothing: Avoid hoodies, collared tops, or anything that pulls over your head. Colour can permanently stain fabrics, so please wear something you don’t mind ruining.

  • Comfort: Colour services can take several hours. Feel free to bring snacks, lunch, water, or entertainment.

  • Work From Home: You’re welcome to bring your laptop and connect to the free Wi-Fi if you need to work during your appointment. However, please avoid scheduling meetings in the later half (typically the last 3 hours), as this time is needed for washing and blow-drying. These steps are time-sensitive and must be completed on schedule, so meetings cannot be waited on. This ensures your service is finished properly and that all appointments stay on time.

Aftercare

Lightening services make hair more delicate and require extra care to maintain health, shine, and colour. Clients must understand the care requirements, potential risks (outlined in waiver prior to initial visit), and maintenance schedule before committing to a lightening service.

General Care Guidelines

  • Wait an additional 1–2 days after your lightening service before washing to allow the cuticle to close and help preserve your toner.

  • Expect increased tangling—this is normal after lightening.

  • Blow-dry on medium to low heat after every wash. Keeping hair and scalp dry maintains healthier hair and prevents breakage.

  • Limit hot tool use. Always apply heat protection before styling. Hot tool styles last longer when a styling mousse or blowout cream is used in tandem with heat protectant.

  • When re-styling with hot tools, always use a dry heat protectant. If applying a wet spray, blow-dry before styling to avoid singeing. Recommended heat setting is 310F.

  • Protect from sun, salt water, and chlorine using hats, UV-safe products, or conditioner mixed with water before swimming.

  • Colour fading is normal—all colour shifts and gets warmer over time; nothing is permanent.

  • Regular service visits for toners, treatments, and trims are required to maintain a healthier looking colour.

Recommended Products

  • K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Mask: Use immediately after your service and for 6 washes in a row. Apply to towel-blotted hair right out of the shower. Do not wrap hair in a towel for longer than one minute before applying. If hair is dry, the product will not work as effectively.

  • Leave-In Conditioner + UV/Heat Protection: Use after every wash. Recommended: Unite 7 Seconds Detangler or K18 Heat Bounce Spray.

  • Oil + UV Protection: Use daily to protect from stress, smooth frizz, and prevent dryness. Recommended: K18 Molecular Repair Oil.

  • Professional Shampoo & Conditioner/Mask: Always use hydrating, salon-quality products.

    • Safe brands: Anything from Sephora

    • Budget-friendly: Matrix, Joico, Verb

    • Preferred: K18, Pureology, Amika, Kerasilk

Maintenance Appointments

  • Clients often wonder when to book their maintenance appointments. The best time is whenever your roots or overall tone start to bother you, with the following guidelines to help decide:

    • Roots: Always require a custom colour service, since blending and refreshing beyond the roots is usually needed.

      • Under 5 months: Partial custom colour (unless going lighter, which requires full)

      • Over 5 months: Full custom colour

      • Face-frame only: Can be booked if roots are under 2 inches, but darker root behind the front hairline must be acceptable

    • Tone: If the issue is mainly tone and going slightly darker is acceptable, a toner appointment can be booked.

    • Timing: Appointments should not be more than 6 months apart to maintain the best overall lighter result. 6 months and longer is preferred to those who do not want a lighter result.

Questions?

For guidance on coloured hair, please reach out anytime. Please contact directly for pricing.