Hair Colour Guide – Understanding Different Colour Services

Hair Colour Guide

Understanding the Different Colour Services: How to Choose the Right One for You

Choosing a hair colour service can feel overwhelming with so many options on the salon menu. Do you need foils, balayage, a toner, a gloss, or a root melt? Each technique gives a different effect, and the best choice depends on the look you want, your lifestyle, and how much maintenance you’re comfortable with. Let’s break down the most common colour services so you know exactly what to ask for.

Tinting A tint is an all-over colour applied from roots to ends. It gives you a solid, uniform shade — perfect for covering greys, darkening, or refreshing your natural colour. Tints can add depth, shine, and vibrancy, but because it’s an all-over service, regrowth will show more quickly.

Best for: Clients who want a consistent, single colour or grey coverage.

Foils (Half Head or Full Head) Foils are used to isolate strands of hair that are being lightened or darkened.

Half Head Foils: Focuses on the top, sides, and crown — brightening the areas you see most and leaving depth underneath.

Full Head Foils: Covers the whole head for maximum brightness and an all-over highlighted effect.

Best for: Clients who love a blonde look, multi-dimensional tones, or want a more noticeable contrast.

Balayage Balayage is a freehand painting technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights. Colour is swept onto the mid-lengths and ends, blending seamlessly from the roots. It mimics the way hair lightens in the sun and grows out beautifully, meaning less upkeep than foils.

Best for: Clients who want a low-maintenance, sun-kissed look with a natural blend.

Toner A toner is used to fine-tune the shade of your hair. It doesn’t make your hair lighter or darker overall — instead, it adjusts the tone. Think of it as a filter: it can cancel out brassiness, cool down or warm up blondes, and refresh faded colours.

Best for: Clients with blonde, highlighted, or lightened hair who want to keep their tone fresh and polished.

Gloss Glossing treatments are like a topcoat for your hair. They add shine, refresh existing colour, and can slightly enhance or adjust tone. Glosses can be clear (for shine) or tinted (for subtle colour). They don’t lighten hair, but they do make it look healthier and more vibrant.

Best for: Clients who want shine, subtle tone adjustments, or a colour refresh between bigger services.

Root Melt A root melt blends a darker shade at the roots into lighter lengths and ends. The result is a seamless gradient that softens the contrast between your natural colour and highlights. It’s lower maintenance because it grows out naturally without a harsh line.

Best for: Clients who want a blended, lived-in look with less noticeable regrowth.

Face Frame A face frame focuses on lightening or enhancing just the pieces of hair around your face. It can be subtle and natural or bold (sometimes called a “money piece”). It brightens the complexion and can make your overall colour pop.

Best for: Clients who want a quick refresh or a little brightness without a full colour service.

So, what should you choose?

• If you want all-over coverage or grey coverage → go for a Tint.
• If you want dimension and noticeable highlights → choose Foils.
• If you love a natural, sun-kissed vibe → ask for Balayage.
• If your colour looks brassy or dull → book in for a Toner or Gloss.
• If you want seamless roots and lower upkeep → a Root Melt is ideal.
• If you just want to brighten your face → try a Face Frame.

At the end of the day, your stylist can guide you to the right choice based on your hair goals and maintenance preferences. The best step is always to book a consultation and bring along inspiration photos so your stylist can tailor the colour to you.