Let’s be real — no-shows suck. They cost you time, money, and sanity. In this solo episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, I’m sharing the exact strategy that helped me eliminate no-shows completely for four years straight. It starts with one simple rule: no deposit = no booking. Here’s what we’re covering in this episode: Why no-shows are more than just lost income — they hurt your momentum How I introduced a $200 booking fee for new clients (and stuck to it!) Why I now c...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 198
Tired of chasing no-shows, sending endless reminders, or feeling awkward about taking payments? In this episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, we’re diving into how Timely salon software can help you streamline your bookings, set up deposit systems, and get paid with confidence, without adding more to your plate. I’m joined by Sherri Ponisi , ANZ Partnerships Account Executive at Timely, who brings 20+ years of industry experience and deep insight into what hairdressers r...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 197
Have you ever filled a blonde before going darker and ended up with unwanted red tones? You're not alone — most hairdressers are taught to fill with red, regardless of the target level. But here’s the truth: red is not a universal filler , and using it when it’s not needed can lock you into a cycle of toner corrections and dull results. In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most outdated techniques still taught in beauty school: using red as a default filler. If your goal isn’t a level 5...
May 22, 2025•26 min•Season 6Ep. 196
If your clients are bringing in Pinterest-worthy tangerine haircolour inspiration, and you’re unsure whether it's a blonde or copper reference, this podcast is for you! In this episode, we’re diving into trending light copper hair tones and why every hairdresser needs reliable formulas for strawberry blonde, tangerine copper, and peachy shades before booking your next strawberry client. If you’ve ever had clients leave the salon with perfect copper, only for it to fade too quickly, I’ve been the...
Apr 28, 2025•21 min•Season 6Ep. 193
Feeling stuck on social media? Struggling to stand out in a sea of sameness? In this episode, we're diving into the biggest shifts in digital marketing for the hair industry and how to cut through the noise to grow your dream salon client list. I'm joined by marketing expert and founder of Six Underground Media, Hayley Mears—a former hairdresser who’s been helping salons and beauty brands slay their social media and marketing content game since 2010. If you're ready to think outside the box, att...
Mar 26, 2025•47 min•Season 6Ep. 192
Wondering if you need to pre-bleach for that Rihanna Red or the deep berry shade SZA rocked at the Super Bowl? If your clients bring in haircolour inspo pics of deep, cool-toned reds but you’re unsure how to formulate them, this episode is for you. We’ll cover when to pre-lighten, the best undertones to expose, and how to mix red and violet to avoid warmth or dullness. Plus, I’ll share my pro tips on keeping these shades vibrant longer. Let’s get into it! We’ll talk about: ✔️ When to pre-lighten...
Mar 21, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 191
Wondering if 40 vol peroxide is safe for on-scalp use? In this episode of Colour Kristina Talks , we’re busting myths and breaking down exactly when, why, and how to use 40 vol peroxide safely for red and copper hair. If you’ve ever questioned whether 40 vol is too strong or risky, this episode will give you the answers you need. We’ll cover these three key scenarios where 40 vol is a must-know technique: ✔️ 40 Vol + High-Lift Tint: The perfect solution for achieving peachy, golden, and strawber...
Mar 06, 2025•30 min
This time of year is all about pausing, reflecting, and setting ourselves up for an even brighter year ahead. I love a good roundup episode—it’s the perfect chance to debrief on what worked, what didn’t, and what we’re most grateful for. For me, 2024 has been a year of “Living Life Colourfully.” From vibrant hair colour transformations to rainbow-themed travels and unforgettable industry moments, there’s so much to celebrate. One of my personal highlights was being a Finalist for the Australian ...
Dec 20, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 189
Digital retail is the future of selling salon products, and it’s easier than you might think. Unlike traditional retail—where you purchase inventory, stock shelves, and sell products—digital retail removes the need for physical stock entirely. Instead, you become an affiliate. By recommending products to clients and sharing your unique affiliate code, clients can purchase online using your code, earning you a commission. No inventory, no storage, and no upfront costs. In Episode 188 of the Colou...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 185
Wondering if changing your lowlight formulas could transform your salon client’s hair colour? In this episode of Colour Kristina Talks , we’re diving deep into the art of lowlighting! Whether you’re tackling faded highlights, brassy tones, or grey coverage—or trying to enhance dimension in vibrant redheads—this episode is packed with pro tips, formulas, and techniques to help you achieve flawless results every time. We’ll explore these 4 must-know lowlight formulas and techniques: The Classic Lo...
Dec 05, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 187
I understand the challenges of creating the perfect red or copper hair colour. I've been there—accidentally creating hot roots and struggling with unpredictable results. Not anymore. My breakthrough came when I revisited my Art School notes and developed a unique approach to Creative Colour Theory. I carefully studied the art period called the Australian Moderns, which saw a collection of artists painting colourful scales, in a similar way musicians read musical scales to play instruments. Today...
Nov 21, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 186
Entering an award is time-consuming, expensive, and overwhelming—I get it. Everyone wants that trophy and believes they have what it takes, or they wouldn’t enter, right? You might be surprised to learn that many hairdressers face imposter syndrome and worry they’re not good enough to be in the spotlight, while others are driven by ego or see it as part of a bigger strategy for long-term success, win or lose. I was honoured to be a finalist for the 2024 Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) Edu...
Nov 12, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 185
Achieving that perfect, fiery Level 7 orange copper can be a bit of a journey, especially when starting from different hair colours. In this episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, Stylists, and Salon Owners, we’re diving into one of my absolute favourite topics: Copper Hair Colour Formulas for All Natural Levels ! I know how challenging it can be when you're working with different base levels, especially when you want to achieve that vibrant, glowing copper. In this fast-...
Sep 26, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 183
Strawberry blonde is a truly unique hair colour that many hairdressers love, but it’s also a shade that presents quite the challenge. It's the perfect blend of red and blonde tones, making it both a favourite for its stunning, natural glow and a challenge because it requires precise formulation to get just right. In this episode, we’re diving into why so many stylists fear working with reds, especially shades like strawberry blonde, and I’ll be sharing must-have formulas that every colourist nee...
Sep 18, 2024•26 min•Season 5Ep. 182
What is the real secret to formulating reds and watermelon blonde haircolour? Is it the brand you use? Is it impossible to achieve natural-looking reds with your brand? Do you always get root glow when trying to cover greys in red formulas? These are the common questions that lead into fear-based colouring in salons. I don’t want that for you, so I’m sharing the answer to all of these questions in this podcast episode by discussing how to decode colour tube labels, deciding on colours to mix, ti...
Sep 15, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 181
As hairdressers, we juggle managing client expectations, staying on top of trends, and the physical and emotional toll it takes on our bodies. Breathwork isn't just for yogis or meditation gurus; it's a powerful practice that anyone can integrate into their daily routine, no matter how hectic life gets. Joining us is Jake Putan, a barber and educator specialising in teaching breathwork to barbers, salon owners and hairdressers. Jake will share how these techniques can help you step back from the...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 180
Box Dyes? Yay or Nay? Where do you sit on this topic? Are you angry or annoyed when a client has been colouring their own hair with box dye? Or do you operate a judgement free zone in your salon for DIY’ers? How do you respond when a client asks you if they can just touch it up themselves between salon visits? Do you have solutions for clients that need to push their appointments out further due to the cost of living crisis? Box dyes have seen a resurgence lately due to their affordability and a...
Aug 20, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 179
Being a hairdresser is a demanding and physically intense job, and as the years go by, many older stylists may feel the pressure of staying relevant and up-to-date with the latest techniques. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. One of the key challenges for hairdressers over 40 is staying motivated and inspired, whilst releasing the fear of bring irrelevant or out of touch. Hair education has changed over the years. If you've been hairdressing for 20 or more years, foundational skills like ...
Jul 31, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 178
“There is magic in competitions when you don’t win. Humility is an important attribute to life and growth.” - Sheridan Sheridan Rose Shaw is the Owner of MAMAWEST — a renowned Melbourne hairdresser with 17 years of industry experience, Sheridan is known for her creative cutting and colour skills, as well as a passion for empowering the next generation, becoming an industry leader & educator. In this episode, we're welcoming Sheridan as we delve into the world of shags, vivid colours, competi...
Jul 25, 2024•57 min•Season 5Ep. 177
In this episode, we're diving into the exhilarating world of becoming a hairdressing educator. As someone whose journey as an educator has spanned continents and opened doors to countless opportunities, I've experienced firsthand the diverse paths available in this dynamic field. Whether you're drawn to collaborating with salon brands to shape industry trends and techniques, or you're inspired to carve your own path as an independent educator, this episode is your guide to understanding the dist...
Jul 15, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 176
Hair Aid is an extraordinary organization dedicated to providing livelihood skills training to women recused from the sex trade, drug lords and those who live in critical poverty, and hair cutting skills. Once trained, the ladies can earn money, and create a pathway out of poverty. In Australia Hair Aid conducts Community Cuts events, providing free haircuts to those who need a hand up. Hair Aid now has seven international projects a year, and 20+ hairdressers at a time come on each project. Tra...
Jun 26, 2024•58 min
Have you ever wondered why certain hair colours make some clients shine while others fall flat? The secret lies in understanding your client's unique seasonal palette. Whether they're a bright Spring, a warm Summer, a rich Autumn, or a cool Winter, discovering their perfect hair colour can enhance their natural beauty and boost their confidence. Get ready to transform your colour consultations and bring out the best in every client. Listen to Episode 174 of The Colour Kristina Talks Podcast and ...
Jun 19, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 174
Cinnamon Hair Colour draws inspiration from the warm, spicy tones of cinnamon. Imagine the rich, deep, warm hues of cinnamon sticks – a mix of red, brown, and subtle golden undertones. This colour trend is all about bringing a natural, warm, and inviting look that’s perfect for those looking to add a bit of spice to their hair without going too bold. I’m excited about this trend because it’s a fantastic option for brunettes and blondes who want to add warmth and richness to their hair. It's a pe...
Jun 13, 2024•38 min
Achieving that perfect, fiery Level 7 orange copper can be a bit of a journey, especially when starting from different hair colours. Imagine this: five clients walk into your salon, each with a different starting point. One is a bright blonde, another is rocking a deep brownish black, the third has luscious dark brown locks, the fourth is already a Level 7 but wants that extra copper kick, and the fifth has a stunning darker red. The challenge? They all want to walk out with that jaw-dropping Le...
Jun 05, 2024•36 min•Season 5Ep. 172
Balayage is a technique to is adaptable to blondes, brunettes, brondes and redheads. Anyone that wants natural sunkissed haircolour is the ideal client to try subtle freehand techniques. There are so many different applications for different end results. The term balayage is taken from the French word for ‘sweeping’. ‘It’s a freehand hair colouring technique that gives a blended, natural look with no harsh or obvious regrowth lines. Balayage differs from foil highlighting because the hairdresser...
Apr 27, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 171
In the ever-evolving landscape of hair colour, where trends shift like the seasons, innovation is key. Among the latest advancements, one technology stands out: ChatGPT. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, ChatGPT offers a revolutionary approach to generating basic hair colour formulas. Wondering if Chat GPT can help you formulate haircolour? In this episode, we answer that question. We'll be talking about this groundbreaking tool, we'll explore its benefits for newcomers to the ind...
Apr 18, 2024•44 min•Season 5Ep. 169
As a hairdresser, I understand there's a lot of misleading or contradictory information about hair colour formulations. It's time to stop sacrificing brightness and tone with fashion colours for grey coverage and vice versa. It's also time to stop making every Blonde client who requests to return to their natural brunette shade a reddish brown or accidentally green. Gold is much better suited as a Filler when transforming a Blonde to Brown than Red. There are both warm and cool golds in every co...
Apr 10, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 168
Wondering why your client's hair turns green or red when you dye it several shades darker? In this episode, we answer that question. You need to fill your client's hair if you are going 2 or more levels darker. That is a colour principle that you need to memorise. Any brand. Any salon. Let me break it down for you: If you are only going one shade darker - no filling is required. If you are going 3-4 levels darker - you need to fill 2-3 shades darker. This is a double-process colour service. If y...
Apr 03, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 167
I’m spilling the tea on Hairdresser Facebook Group Formula Requests, and why they’re a recipe for disaster! I am freaked out by the epidemic of stylists asking strangers on the internet for help. The questions, the comments, and the misguided answers all make me so nervous I break out in hives just thinking about it. Here’s the thing: 90% of all Hairdressers will give a Redhead Hot Roots. 2/3 of those stylists believe the only way that you can mix and formulate a beautiful Redhead is by using a ...
Mar 21, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 166
In this episode, we're not just unravelling the mysteries of forecasting hair and haircolour trends – we're diving headfirst into my little black book of curated online resources. These aren't just any resources; they're the secret gems I turn to when I need a crystal ball into the future of hair fashion. Picture this: it's a bustling salon day, and your clients are eagerly awaiting your expert touch. But how do you ensure you're not just keeping up, but setting the pace with the hottest hair tr...
Mar 15, 2024•35 min•Season 5Ep. 165
