Pro tip: a client's scalp condition in Phoenix taught me to always ask about water hardness

I was working at a salon in Phoenix last month, and a regular client came in with her color looking completely off, like a weird brassy orange we didn't put there. I was so confused. We talked through her routine, and she said she'd just moved into a new apartment. I asked if she knew about the water, and she didn't. I did a quick test with a strip I keep in my kit, and sure enough, the water was super hard. All that mineral buildup was reacting with the toner. We did a clarifying treatment first, and the re-do color came out perfect. Now I keep those test strips in my station and ask every new client, especially in this area. Has anyone else had a water issue totally wreck a color service?

2 comments

2 Comments

emma_smith5d ago

Honestly, I've never had that happen. My water's fine and I don't test for it.

logan_white465d ago

Actually, hard water can mess with color even if YOUR water seems fine. Mineral buildup happens slowly so you might not notice until it's too late.