Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to consult with clients, analyse unwanted natural or artificial hair colour and tone, and to select and apply colour correction products to neutralise or change existing base colour and tone.
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. | 1.1.Access and review any existing client hair colour history or create for new clients. 1.2.Determine, through discussion and questioning, nature of client dissatisfaction with current hair colour. 1.3.Discuss client colour preferences, and expectations of desired base colour and tone using colour charts to assist. 1.4.Engage client in discussion about lifestyle and self-care factors that may impact on success of colour treatment. 1.5.Visually examine and analyse unwanted colour and tones, client skin and hair characteristics and condition. 1.6.Consider the interplay of the elements and principles of hair design to visualise, communicate and recommend colour treatments appropriate for the client. 1.7.Obtain client agreement to proceed with recommended colouring services. |
2. Determine contraindications to corrective colour treatment. | 2.1.Evaluate client reaction to colour chemicals through discussion, assessment of history, where available, and completion of a pre-service skin test, as required. 2.2.Complete a strand test where hair analysis indicates risk to hair structure and condition. 2.3.Identify contraindications to proceeding with colour correction treatment and explain any present to client. |
3. Select colour correction products and prepare for service. | 3.1.Use knowledge of hair biology and cosmetic chemistry, as it applies to hair colour correction, to ensure effective and safe use of chemicals. 3.2.Select colour correction products to neutralise unwanted colour and tones and to achieve target base colour and tone. 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 colour correction products, according to product instructions and ensure minimal wastage. 3.6.Apply wraps and towels and skin barrier cream to ensure client protection and safety. |
4. Apply colour correction products. | 4.1.Maintain client and operator comfort and safety throughout colour service according to organisational procedures. 4.2.Apply colour correction 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 correction 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. 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 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 correction 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 six clients, each with different colour correction needs, and complete colour correction treatments which consistently achieve target colour and tone results to client satisfaction using these colour correction products cumulatively across the six services provided:
colour fillers
permanent colour
porosity equalisers
semi-permanent colour
temporary colour
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, including metallic based products
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 and colour problem
contraindications
reaction to skin tests or products
colour correction 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 their use in achieving hair colouring 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
relationship between hair porosity, texture, condition and the success of colour treatments
basic concepts of cosmetic chemistry, as they apply to effective and safe use of colour correction products:
bonds
molecules
chemical compounds
chemical change
neutralisation
acids and bases
pH
at an elementary level of understanding, the chemical and physical effects on hair structure, texture and colour of:
colour fillers
hydrogen peroxide
porosity equalisers
temporary colour
semi-permanent colour
permanent colour
high lift tints
sunlight
heated hairdressing equipment
contraindications to using colour correction products:
damaging effects of previous chemical hair treatments
hair porosity
sunlight or heat affected hair
client allergic reactions
organisation’s colour correction products range:
colour chart system
formulation of colour and high lift tints
product purpose
action on the hair
mixing and application instructions
processing and development 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 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 applying hair colour correction products, 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 correction 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 colour correction 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 colour correction products to include:
colour fillers
permanent colour
porosity equalisers
semi-permanent colour
temporary colour
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
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 applying hair colour correction products
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 correction products in correct proportions manage application and processing times effectively. |
Planning and organising skills to: | manage own timing and productivity to complete colour correction services within organisational service times. |
Sectors
Hairdressing
Competency Field
Colour and Lightening