I think I want to try hair color.

Hair coloring is an on going trend that allows you to express who you are with the colors you would like to choose. When you are coloring Virgin hair it is like having a blank canvas and gives you the opportunity to come up with a color that compliments the skin complexion and personality of the client. If your client has virgin hair you don't want to go to extreme unless they are completely sure that is what they want. Changing your hair color can be very shocking for some people so its best to work in baby steps.

Before any color is done on any client if they are new to you and has had color or even if they have virgin hair you always want to do a patch test. A patch test is a way to check if your client is allergic to the color. Since color is made with peroxide and other chemicals just to make sure it should always be done 24 hours prior to a color service.When doing a patch test you want to mix a little bit of color and apply it to either the back of the ear or inside of the wrist and cover it with a band-aid. Instruct your client not to wash the area and to look for any redness or itching swelling if this happen they should take some Benadryl. If these symptoms get worse see a doctor, those symptoms are signs of a positive allergic reaction to the color and they should not have color applied to their hair. Some clients may not be allergic to all colors maybe just the color line you work with so be sure to cover yourself. 

When you are ready to color after you have found your clients natural color and the color they would like to become you can begin with applying your protective cream around the hairline and  sectioning the hair in four sections ( T part). You will then start at the bottom of the head with 1/4" sections and apply your color starting at the mid-shaft ( 1/2" from the scalp)  of the section, not up to the roots. Applying at the roots first will cause the top of the hair to process faster then the ends due to body heat. Finish the whole head starting at the mid-shaft to the ends. When you have completed this step go back and apply the color to the root area. Let the hair rest for the processing time each is different depending on the color line so make sure to read your processing times. Set your timer when it goes off your client is done processing and now you can wash the color out of the hair and and begin your conditioning treatments, dry and style the hair your client may like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NsxmTNRiQ