We know how awesome professional products are... but unless you can explain this to clients, they are going to think they’re just more expensive supermarket products. The more information you can give them on the formulation, the ingredients, the quality, the concentration, how they work, why they are designed to do their job... the more excited you’ll get your client about the benefits. Knowledge is power, and it also helps to build a trusting relationship with your clients.

How bad can a botched bleach job get? Watch this educational video to find out. This happens when the client's hair is not thoroughly analysed for porosity, texture and elasticity prior to the bleach service. Any client that has a lightening service needs to be monitored by the hairdresser. If your client's hair is not fit for lightener/bleach; be honest and explain that the hair would not withstand the chemical: never over-promise results. Do a strand test to determine the processing time. Video by BeautyHealthTravel.

Win an Indola Divine Blond hamper “Tell Friends and Influence People” To enter this week’s Hairnews Sign-up competition, simply ask your friends if they’d like to receive Hairnews and send us their email addresses! Email, Whatsapp or message us with the names and emails of as many of your hairdressing friends as you like. You get one entry into the draw for every email you send – send us details of seven hairdressing friends who'd like to receive Hairnews and you will have seven chances to win. Now’s your chance to get networking – spread the word, and stand a chance of winning this fabulous hamper. Entries close on Sunday 11 June. Email info@hairnews.co.za or message / Whatsapp 082 891 8537 Indola’s Innova Divine Blond range: New Indola DIVINE BLOND regenerates the hair fiber and reduces hair breakage while neutralizing yellow tones for a perfectly divine blond look.

USA-based master-stylist Valarie Z compiled this video showing some before and after transformations on real clients – from classical hair to funky, adventurous looks. Some creative ideas to inspire.

Consult, Then Assess You should only recommend retail products when you fully understand your client’s wants, needs, and lifestyle. To do this, you need to ask these questions during the consultation: • How often can you visit the salon? • What is your hair styling routine like and what do you have difficulty with? • What do you like most about your hair? And what do you wish you could change? • What products are you currently using and are you happy with them? Finally, do the “wet stretch test” which will allow you to determine the condition and integrity of your client’s hair. All of the above will help you create the best possible style and colour for your client, as well as helping you recommend the most suitable retail products. Don’t miss tomorrow’s Top Retail Tip!

Award winning men’s stylist Shawn Odendaal is holding a full day course on men’s cutting, including fading, blending, and other creative and fashionable techniques. Learn how to transform your gents into fashionable icons, and perfect your skills. Price: R1000 per stylist including lunch Date: Sunday 2nd July 2017 Venue: THASA Hair Academy, Alberton Stylist must bring: All cutting tools and equipment, and 4-5 gent models Contact Shawn on 084 544 8769 – booking deadline is 20 June

Funky and fashionable – this is some of the everyday creative work done by Shawn Odendaal at Paul James Male, Alberton. Contact 084 544 8769.

Congratulations to Fatima Sayanvala, owner of Salon Hijabella, winner of the fabulous Goldwell Stylesign hamper for our Salon Sign-Ups competition. Thanks to Goldwell for this awesome prize and to Fatima for signing up her salon for Hairnews. There will be another competition later this week – stay tuned and keep those sign-ups coming.

The stunning N Shanti hair and beauty salon in Gurgaon, India, was designed by Viveck Vermaa architects in 2015.

Finally, some real scientific research on whether professional or supermarket products are better at caring for coloured hair. The Product Advisor website looks at a number of well known supermarket and professional brands, testing them out and assessing their performance. Which performed better? We’ll give you a hint – the professional products outperformed the supermarket ones, with Wella’s Brilliance shampoo being voted the star of the show when it comes to caring for coloured hair. A great video – show it to your clients!

Congratulations to Senior overall winner Aubrey Louw from Style Bar in Tyger Valley, and Junior overall winner Erin Martin from Northlink College, who achieved top honours at the EOHCB Championships on 21 May. “What a successful event. Everyone did such great work” said Limya Kamaldien, Divisional Manager of EOHCB Western Cape, “Preparing and making sure the event is a success is a stressful task but we had a great team. Much love and appreciation to all involved.” Look out for the full list of winners, and some photos, coming soon on Hairnews!

Ekurhuleni West College Germiston campus is looking for a hairdressing lecturer. If you are interested or require more information about this position, please email your CV or enquiry to karenm@ewc.edu.za for attention Karen De Bruin Mängels