How should a stylist determine the appropriate hair color for a client?

Determining the appropriate hair color for a client involves several factors, with a significant emphasis on assessing the client's skin tone and personal preferences. Skin tone plays a crucial role in how hair color can complement or contrast the client's natural features. For instance, warmer skin tones typically pair well with golden or warm hair colors, while cooler skin tones may be better suited for ash or cooler shades.

Additionally, personal preferences are critical as they reflect the client's personality, comfort level, and desired look. Engaging in a conversation about their favorite colors, styles they've admired, and how they envision their overall appearance helps to establish a collaborative relationship and ensures that the final color choice aligns with the client's expectations.

While trends, eye color, and peers' opinions may influence decision-making, they are secondary to the individual nuances of skin tone and the client's unique tastes. Trends can change rapidly, and what's chic today may not resonate with every client. Eye color does have some impact on the overall aesthetic, but it is less critical than skin tone and personal preference in achieving a flattering and satisfactory result. The opinion of other stylists can provide additional insights, but the primary focus should always be on the client's individual characteristics and desires.