Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to design and apply customised or fantasy colouring and lightening effects to enhance a range of classic and creative haircuts, structures and lengths. It involves using specialist creative colouring and lightening techniques including multiple colour applications and freehand techniques, and using various application tools to achieve the effect.
This unit applies to senior hairdressers and barbers who work in salons or as session stylists or technical advisors to product companies. They work independently, have considerable specialist skills and knowledge and provide technical leadership, training and support to team members.
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. Develop advanced product knowledge and application techniques. | 1.1.Develop and maintain creative hair colouring and lightening product knowledge. 1.2.Research specialist creative colouring and lightening techniques and develop own designs and techniques. 1.3.Share new knowledge and techniques with other staff members. |
2. Consult with client and assess hair. | 2.1.Access and review any existing client hair colour history or create for new clients. 2.2.Determine, through discussion and questioning, client satisfaction or dissatisfaction with current hair colour. 2.3.Discuss client colour preferences, and expectations of desired finished result using colour charts to assist. 2.4.Engage client in discussion about lifestyle and self-care factors that may impact on success of creative colour treatment. 2.5.Visually examine and analyse client skin and hair characteristics, existing hair colour and condition. 2.6.Evaluate planned or existing haircut structure for suitability of effects. 2.7.Consider the interplay of the elements and principles of hair design to visualise, communicate and recommend creative colour treatments appropriate for the client. 2.8.Determine the best design and obtain client agreement to proceed with recommended creative colouring services. |
3. Determine contraindications to colour treatment. | 3.1.Evaluate client reaction to colour chemicals through discussion, assessment of history, where available, and completion of a pre-service skin test, as required. 3.2.Complete a strand test where hair analysis indicates risk to hair structure and condition. 3.3.Identify contraindications to proceeding with colour treatment and explain any present to client. |
4. Select products and prepare for service. | 4.1.Use knowledge of hair biology and cosmetic chemistry, as it applies to hair colour and lightening treatments, to ensure effective and safe use of chemicals. 4.2.Select colouring and lightening products to match hair analysis and planned design. 4.3.Select and prepare equipment according to product instructions and application methods to be used. 4.4.Take personal precautions to prevent own skin stain and allergic reactions to colour chemicals throughout preparation and colour service. 4.5.Measure and prepare products, according to product instructions and ensure minimal wastage. 4.6.Apply wraps, towels and skin barrier cream to ensure client protection and safety. |
5. Apply products using creative techniques. | 5.1.Maintain client and operator comfort and safety throughout colour service according to organisational procedures. 5.2.Select and use creative colouring and lightening techniques according to planned design. 5.3.Apply colour treatment products using methods and following stages shown in product instructions. 5.4.Ensure even coverage, cross check and complete without re-growth overlap, stain or damage to client scalp or hairline. 5.5.Time processing of colour treatment products to achieve target result, according to product instructions, and monitor through observation. 5.6.Remove residual product at end of processing time, according to product instructions, and apply after-treatment toning products, as required. 5.7.Use water resources efficiently during service and safely dispose of hazardous and other waste according to organisational procedures. |
6. Finish designs and service. | 6.1.Select finishing tools and techniques and use to achieve planned designs to client satisfaction. 6.2.Review colour service outcomes against client design expectations and confirm client satisfaction with result. 6.3.Propose remedial action in response to any client concerns and post service analysis of hair condition and colour appearance. 6.4.Reach agreement with client on proposed solutions through positive and open communication. 6.5.Advise on and recommend home colour care products and sun protection strategies. 6.6.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:
complete a research project, using information from at least three different sources, to identify, explore and complete a written report on:
current colouring and lightening products and their use in creative colouring to enhance classic and creative hair designs
new and emerging products, techniques and creative colour designs
develop a creative colouring and lightening design for each of these haircut structures:
short
medium
long
solid form
layered
graduated
incorporate these colouring and lightening techniques cumulatively within the above suite of designs:
multiple colour applications:
tint and slices
shading
duo tones
colour graduations through lengths of hair
chequerboard application
fantasy colouring using vibrant shades
highlighting effects:
slices
individual chunky colour placements
freehand techniques to achieve:
end lightening effects
marbling effects
consult with at least four clients, each with different haircut structures and colour design preferences, and complete colour services using creative colouring and lightening techniques to enhance their hair designs
for each client, complete a pre-treatment hair analysis covering the following characteristics to recommend creative colouring treatments appropriate for the client:
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 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:
key characteristics and interrelationships of the elements and principles of hair design and their use in achieving creative 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
colour wheel and its use in colour selection to achieve colour combinations and warm and cool tones
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 creative colour treatments
basic concepts of cosmetic chemistry, as they apply to effective and safe use of colour and lightening 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:
hair colouring and lightening products
pre-pigmenting products
sunlight
heated hairdressing equipment
contraindications to using hair colouring 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 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
action of peroxide with bleaches and powder lighteners in colour deposit removal
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 colouring and lightening 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 colouring 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, or
industry venues and sites where session events are operated, or
session venues and sites operated within a training organisation where real session events are staged in live time.
Assessment must ensure use of:
clients with different creative hair colouring requirements; these can be:
paying clients in a hairdressing or barbering industry workplace, or
paying 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, or
models or performers in a session styling setting
activities that require the individual to work with commercial speed, timing and productivity to 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 deposit and lifting products:
artificial colour removal products
bleaches
hydrogen peroxide
powder lighteners
stripping products
a diverse professional range of hair colouring and lightening products
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:
brushes
client skin stain prevention products
foils
icing syringes
liquid measure
plastic bowls
rollers
tint brushes and combs
personal protective equipment:
apron
disposable safety masks or safety goggles
rubber or disposable gloves
skin barrier cream
finishing tools:
heat lamps
heat diffusers
flat irons
blow dryers
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 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 IV qualification 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 and analyse complex documents about creative colouring trends, techniques and products 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 clearly represent complex and creative design concepts to clients and other hairdressers. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate and record ratios, measure, mix and apply colour products in correct proportions manage application and processing times effectively. |
Initiative and enterprise skills to: | proactively use opportunities to update knowledge of a creative approach to hair colouring services. |
Planning and organising skills to: | collect and evaluate research information to inform own creative colouring designs manage own timing and productivity to complete creative colouring services within organisational service times. |
Sectors
Hairdressing
Competency Field
Colour and Lightening