Hair colour sentiments in the United States are bolder and more passionate as compared to the Indian beauty industry. Gauri D. interacted with Brene Poland, an expert colourist at the Chemistry Salon in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA to gain a deeper insight into this colourful world.
Chemistry Salon is a brainchild of the owner and executive director Bryan Sullian and has been on the Top 200 Salons in America’s list for quite some time. Brene Poland, the expert colourist at Chemistry Salon spoke about her passion for hair styling and colouring. It opened a gateway to a deeper, more mature understanding of the colouring process and everything involved. The hair colouring industry is gaining rapid popularity in India, especially among Gen Z.
Brene talks about the bolder approach of Americans and everything that involves hair colouring.
Hair colour – A Process
The Americans are bolder in their pursuit of colour. Gone is the time when you could wear your heart on your sleeve. This generation prefers to flaunt their emotions in hair colours and look fantastic doing it!
The hair colouring process may seem simple but it is the expert who knows that the devil lies in the detail. At the Chemistry Salon, we have our customers fill out a sheet asking them questions about the styling they prefer, how much time they spend each day to maintain their hair, what are their preferences, and so on. This helps us understand the customer better and provides us with an insight into what would perfectly suit their requirements.
Once the colour and styling are finalized, the real work begins. Every tiny step is important to maintain the integrity of the hair. It is always about the technique and never about the speed or overly expensive products. It is widely known that bleaching weakens the hair, but, if done methodically, using appropriate technique, all concerns vanish. Cosmetics have made quite an advancement and now there are products like Olaplex that can be mixed with lightning products. They help in maintaining the natural hair structure by moisturizing hair during the process.
Changing Perception
Gen Zs are truly embracing bold fashion hair colours. It is a joy to see them experiment. I see some of the clients in their 30s who are happy to experiment and be playful with hair colour.
I get few people from the serious career path who would try hair colour; and if they do, it is often close to natural or muted shades. There has been a certain divide among the older generation in acceptance of fashion colours, however, the perception is now changing. If a Gen Z lawyer or a doctor walks in with bold hair colour, it might be more accepted than a person in their 40s. It is just a transitional phase and does not define or demean intelligence in any way.
While talking about her perception, Brene quoted, “If I had my way, I’d like to see everyone in fun neon colours. My hair colour is something that I feel makes me more approachable and easier to talk to. There is widespread acceptance towards fashion colours in current times.”
Expert Tips for hair colouring
- It is very important to take a strand test to understand the structure of hair, and what colour would go perfectly with it. This helps in avoiding hair damage.
- Expert consultation is highly encouraged to understand better aftercare and to discuss the options.
- Happiness is the key. Any and every colour can look brilliant provided the client is happy with the choice.
- Retouching roots and tips to maintain styling are a must.
- Moisturizing hair is important. Colour may fade from hair due to overwashing. Which is why it is suggested to wash hair once or twice a week.
While India has been perceptive towards traditional channels of hair colouring such as Henna, the fashion colours are just rising like the soft rays of the morning sun. There is a huge hair colour and beauty industry waiting to rise. The growing pop culture, K-pop and other social media trends are giving way to this bold art form of coloured hair. It won’t be too long before we are living in a world filled with cheerful colours that brighten the lives of everyone around us.