Should You Give Your Clients Their Color Formula?

When to Share Your Hair Color Formula with Clients: 9 Key Scenarios

“Hey girl, can you tell me what you used on my hair last time” – You got the dreaded messag. Now what?

Sharing your hair color formula with clients can be a topic of discussion among hairstylists. Many say “Who Care’s” and many firmly believing “Absolutely Not!”. While transparency and open communication are crucial in the client-stylist relationship, there are scenarios where sharing the formula makes sense and others where it’s not advisable. Let’s explore key scenarios to help you make an informed decision.

Scenario 1: Building Trust and Loyalty

Sharing the hair color formula can be an excellent way to build trust and loyalty with long-term clients. When you’ve been working with a client for years and have established a strong relationship, transparency can demonstrate your commitment to their satisfaction. They may be just asking because of curiosity, because what can they do with knowing their color is Matrix Color Sync 40g 3WN, 40g 4RB and 10g 4n, 10 volume?

Scenario 2: Educating the Client

If a client is genuinely interested in understanding their hair color and wants to learn about the process, sharing the formula can be an educational opportunity. This can foster a deeper appreciation for your expertise and help clients make informed choices about their hair color in the future. This explanation can allow them to understand how customized your formulation is to them, as well as deepen their respect to your professional knowledge.

Scenario 3: Client Request

Sometimes, clients might request their color formula for various reasons, such as future touch-ups or consultations with other stylists. If they ask for the formula, it’s generally appropriate to provide it, as it respects their wishes and promotes open communication. They may be going on an extended trip, moving cities, or various other location/ accessibly factors

Scenario 4: Client Relocation

When a client moves to a different location and needs to find a new stylist, providing the hair color formula can be a helpful gesture. It eases the transition and ensures their new stylist has a clear understanding of their color history. You can even go a step further to help reccomend a hairstylist for them. You can do so by seeing professionals and their work ( and color lines used) here : http://dite.ca/professionals/

When you can choose to not share color formulas

Scenario 5: Trade Secrets and Professional Ethics

In some cases, stylists may have proprietary color formulas or custom blends they consider trade secrets. Sharing such formulas might not align with professional ethics or business practices. It’s essential to maintain the integrity of your work and respect any non-disclosure agreements with product manufacturers.

Scenario 6: Discontinuation of the Relationship

If a client decides to go to another stylist or you both mutually agree to discontinue the professional relationship, there is no need to share the color formula.

Scenario 7: Public Requests in a Facebook Group

If a client publicly requests their hair color formula in a Facebook group, it’s generally not advisable to provide it in that public forum. Sharing proprietary color formulas in a public space may compromise your name or their hair. Instead, you can politely direct the client to contact you to book an appointment or seek out a hairstylist.

Scenario 8: Random Messaging

When a client randomly messages you, perhaps via social media or text, asking for their hair color formula without prior context or discussion, it’s wise to exercise caution. Providing such information without proper verification could be risky. In this case, it’s better to politely ask for more details and ensure you are communicating with the actual client before sharing any sensitive information.

Scenario 9: Client Absence for an Extended Period

A client who hasn’t been in for a hair service in months and suddenly requests their color formula may raise concerns. It’s important to verify their identity and intentions of the person reaching out. They might be looking to replicate your work elsewhere or have other reasons for requesting the formula. In such cases, it’s advisable to communicate with the client to understand their needs and make an informed decision on whether to share the formula.

What to say:

Dear [Client’s Name],

I appreciate your interest in knowing the details of your hair color formula. As a stylist, my top priority is to ensure your complete satisfaction and maintain the quality and uniqueness of my work. However, I have certain professional considerations that I must uphold.

Hair color formulas often involve proprietary blends and techniques that I have developed over time. These formulations are an essential part of my trade, and sharing them could compromise the uniqueness of my services and affect my ability to provide you with the exceptional results you deserve.

I’m more than willing to discuss your hair color and its maintenance during our appointments, and I’m here to answer any questions you may have about your hair. If there’s anything specific you’d like to achieve with your hair color or if you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to let me know, and I’ll do my best to address them during our future sessions.

Thank you for understanding, and I look forward to continuing to provide you with the outstanding hair color services you’ve come to expect.

Warm regards, [Your Name]”

This response maintains professionalism while clearly and politely explaining the reasons behind declining the request to share the formula. It also reassures the client of your commitment to their satisfaction and offers an alternative means of addressing their questions or concerns during future appointments.

In all of these scenarios, it’s crucial to balance transparency and professionalism while safeguarding your trade secrets and maintaining the integrity of your work. If you choose to share the formula, ensure you are communicating with the genuine client and do so privately to protect sensitive information.