Short answer
You should record a colour formula immediately after application, noting the exact brand, shade, developer strength, and mixing ratio in grams. Storing this information digitally against the client record ensures accuracy for future visits, protects you against service inconsistencies, and allows you to track and charge for any product overage.
Details to include in the record
You need a record that any stylist in your salon can read and replicate. If a client comes in for a root retouch and their usual stylist is off, the cover stylist shouldn't have to guess the mix.
Every colour formula record must contain:
If you don't write down the exact weights, you'll end up with different results every time. A splash extra of developer changes the thickness and the lift, which ruins the consistency your clients expect.
- Product brand and range. State whether you used permanent or semi-permanent colour, and the specific product line.
- Shade codes and mixing ratios. Record the exact shade numbers and the weight of each in grams, such as 30g of 6.0 and 15g of 6.34.
- Developer volume and weight. Note the strength of the developer, like 20 volume, and the exact quantity mixed in.
- Application notes and timing. Specify if the hair was damp or dry, and how long the colour processed.
Why paper cards fail
Many salons still write formulas on the back of paper record cards. These paper cards get lost, or they end up stained and illegible after a few weeks of use.
When a stylist has to dig through a messy drawer while their client sits wet at the backwash, it wastes time and looks unprofessional. Digital records stop this from happening. Luminate lets you save colour formulas directly to the customer profile in the app. You can access the history on any phone or tablet at the chair, so you'll always have the details when you start the consultation.
If a client calls to ask what shade you used last time, you can find the answer in seconds without leaving the desk.
Tracking and billing for extra colour
When a client has thick or long hair, you use more colour than the standard mix. If you don't track this extra product, the cost eats into your profit margin.
With Luminate, you can record the exact colour formulas and track the extra product used. You can then add this overage directly to the bill at checkout. This ensures you're compensated for the extra colour and keep your margins intact.
What this means for your salon
Switching to digital colour formulas stops you from losing client history and ensures your mixes are consistent. You'll save time during busy shifts because you won't have to search for lost paper cards. It also makes it easy to bill for extra colour, protecting your profit on every service.