Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to consult with clients, analyse existing hair colour and condition and provide a range of hair colour and lightening treatments.
This unit applies to hairdressers and barbers with well-developed skills who work in hairdressing salons or barber shops. They use discretion and judgement to manage the client service and take responsibility for the outcomes of their work.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Consult with client and assess hair. | 1.1.Access and review any existing client hair colour history or create for new clients. 1.2.Determine, through discussion and questioning, client satisfaction or dissatisfaction with current hair colour. 1.3.Discuss client colour preferences and expectations of base colour or level of lift and tone using colour charts to assist. 1.4.Discuss lifestyle and self-care factors that may impact on success of colour or lightening treatment. 1.5.Visually examine and analyse client skin and hair characteristics, existing hair colour and condition. 1.6.Consider the interplay of elements and principles of hair design to visualise, communicate and recommend appropriate colour or lightening. 1.7.Obtain client agreement to proceed with recommended colouring services. |
2. Determine contraindications to colour treatment. | 2.1.Evaluate client reaction to colour chemicals through discussion, assessment of history where available, and completion of pre-service skin test, as required. 2.2.Complete strand test where hair analysis indicates risk to hair structure and condition. 2.3.Identify contraindications to proceeding with colour treatment and explain to client. |
3. Select products and prepare for service. | 3.1.Use knowledge of hair biology and cosmetic chemistry, as applied to hair colour and lightening treatments, to ensure effective and safe use of chemicals. 3.2.Select colour or high lift tint products to achieve desired outcome. 3.3.Select and prepare equipment according to product instructions and application methods to be used. 3.4.Take personal precautions to prevent own skin stain and allergic reactions to colour chemicals throughout preparation and colour service. 3.5.Measure and prepare products according to product instructions and ensure minimal wastage. 3.6.Apply wraps, towels and skin barrier cream to ensure client protection and safety. |
4. Apply and process colour and high lift tint products. | 4.1.Maintain client and operator comfort and safety throughout colour service according to organisational procedures. 4.2.Apply colour or high lift tint products using methods and following stages shown in product instructions. 4.3.Ensure even coverage, cross check and complete without re-growth overlap, stain or damage to client scalp or hairline. 4.4.Time processing of colour and high lift tint products to achieve target result, according to product instructions, and monitor through observation. 4.5.Remove residual product at end of processing time, according to product instructions, and apply after-treatment toning products, as required. 4.6.Use energy and water resources efficiently during service and safely dispose of hazardous and other waste according to organisational procedures. |
5. Review service and provide home care advice. | 5.1.Review colour service outcomes against client expectations and confirm client satisfaction with colour and tone result. 5.2.Propose remedial action in response to any client concerns and post service analysis of hair condition and colour appearance. 5.3.Reach agreement with client on proposed solutions through positive and open communication. 5.4.Advise on and recommend home colour care products and sun protection strategies. 5.5.Update client history to include full details of colour service. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
consult with at least nine clients, each with different hair colour and lightening treatment needs, and complete the following treatments consistently to achieve outcomes to client satisfaction:
demi-permanent colour for two different clients
semi-permanent colour for two different clients
permanent colour for two different clients
high lift tints for three different clients
provide the following hair colour services cumulatively across the above suite of clients:
whole head
re-growth
for each client, complete a pre-treatment hair analysis covering the following characteristics to recommend appropriate colouring treatments:
natural hair type, texture, porosity, density and elasticity
natural base colour
artificial base colour
hair colour tone
percentage of white hair
presence of lightening agents or artificial hair colour treatments on hair
existing chemical services
skin tone
length of hair
scalp condition
record the following details of the colour service in the history for each client serviced:
pre-service hair analysis
contraindications
reaction to skin tests or products
colour or lightening treatment products selected
brand and colour selection
application techniques, processing methods and times
colour and hair condition outcome
recommended home care products.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
colour wheel and its use in colour selection to achieve warm and cool tones
key characteristics and interrelationships of the elements and principles of hair design and use in achieving hair colouring and lightening effects:
elements of hair design:
line
shape
direction
size
texture
colour
principles of hair design:
balance
gradation
repetition
contrast
harmony
dominance
unity
hair biology, at an elementary level of understanding:
main functions and role of hair
main factors contributing to hair colour
structure and cellular features of hair and hair follicles
process of hair growth and the hair growth cycle
characteristics of normal and damaged hair
physical effects of chemical products and treatments on the skin
main structure, functions and role of the skin and glands:
skin surface anatomy
major epidermal appendages and dermal structures
major cells of the epidermis
role of vascular, connective and nervous tissue in the dermis
distribution and development of skin glands
production, composition and functions of sebum
production, composition and functions of eccrine and apocrine sweat fluids
relationship between hair porosity, texture, condition and the success of colour and lightening treatments
basic concepts of cosmetic chemistry applicable to effective and safe use of colour and lightening products:
bonds
molecules
chemical compounds
chemical change
neutralisation
acids and bases
pH
elementary level of understanding of the chemical and physical effects on hair structure, texture and colour of:
hydrogen peroxide
temporary colour
semi-permanent colour
demi-permanent colour
permanent colour
high lift tints
sunlight
heated hairdressing equipment
contraindications to using hair colour and lightening products:
hair or scalp damage from previous chemical hair treatments
existing metallic based colour on hair
hair porosity
sunlight or heat affected hair
client allergic reactions
organisation's hair colour and lightening products range:
colour chart system
formulation
product purpose
action on the hair
mixing and application instructions
processing and developing times
role and basic content of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or plain English workplace documents or diagrams that interpret SDS content
reasons for selecting different product application methods
basic aspects of local government, state or territory health regulations applicable to providing hair colouring services
industry practices and organisational procedures for:
client comfort and safety with particular emphasis on:
using gown and towels to protect client clothes
application of barrier creams to face and neckline
avoiding product contact with eyes
monitoring client scalp comfort and condition
work health and safety for providing hair colouring treatments, with particular emphasis on:
avoiding product contact with operator eyes and skin
avoiding inhalation of fumes during product mixing
using correct posture and adjusting height of client chair to avoid fatigue and injury
minimising wastage of colour and lightening products
waste disposal with particular emphasis on environmentally sound disposal methods for hazardous and other hairdressing waste.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in a hairdressing or barbering environment; this can be:
a hairdressing or barbering industry workplace or
a simulated hairdressing or barbering workplace, set up for the purpose of skills assessment that provides services to paying members of the public.
Assessment must ensure use of:
paying clients with different hair colour and lightening treatment requirements; these can be:
clients in a hairdressing or barbering industry workplace, or
clients in a simulated hairdressing or barbering workplace within a training organisation who have the expectation that the services provided reflect those of a commercial business
sufficient client traffic to allow for prioritisation of tasks so that clients are serviced effectively in a logical sequence
activities that require the individual to work with commercial speed, timing and productivity to:
deal with multiple tasks simultaneously
complete client services within designated timeframes that reflect accepted industry practice
a ventilated product preparation area with:
preparation benches
product storage areas including secure storage for hazardous substances
washing up sink with hot and cold running water for cleaning equipment
operator hand washing facilities:
basin with hot and cold running water
liquid soap
single use towels or hand dryer
a diverse professional range of hair colour and lightening products to include:
semi-permanent colour
demi-permanent colour
permanent colour
high lift tints
a hairdressing or barbering services workstation with:
one mirror per workstation
one adjustable client services chair per workstation
clean client gowns or wraps
clean client towels
one operator trolley per workstation stocked with:
client skin stain prevention products
liquid measure
plastic bowls
tint brushes and combs
personal protective equipment:
apron
disposable safety masks or safety goggles
rubber or disposable gloves
skin barrier cream
product:
colour charts
instructions
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or plain English workplace documents or diagrams that interpret SDS content
template client history records
organisational procedures for:
client comfort and safety
work health and safety for providing hair colour and lightening treatments
waste minimisation
disposal of hazardous and other waste.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors; and:
hold a Certificate III in Hairdressing, or a Certificate III in Barbering, or a Certificate IV in Hairdressing, or be able to demonstrate equivalence of competencies; and
have at least three years full time employment experience as a hairdresser in a salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency to assess this unit as part of a hairdressing qualification; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period; or
have at least three years full time employment experience as a barber in a shop or salon environment where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency to assess this unit as part of a barbering qualification; this cannot include any indentured traineeship or apprenticeship period.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
Skill | Description |
Reading skills to: | interpret sometimes unfamiliar and detailed documents including organisational procedures, product instructions and safety data sheets. |
Oral communication skills to: | ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to effectively interact with client and meet their needs. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate and record ratios, measure, mix and apply colour and high lift tint products in correct proportions manage application and processing times effectively. |
Planning and organising skills to: | manage own timing and productivity to complete colour treatment services within organisational service times. |
Sectors
Hairdressing
Competency Field
Colour and Lightening