Tired of clients booking a tint when they actually need a full colour correction? In this solo episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, I’m sharing the exact pre-consult form I use to avoid booking chaos and get the info I need before clients step into the salon.

If you’re done with confusion, miscommunication, and last-minute surprises, this episode is your new secret weapon for stress-free colour bookings.

Here’s what we’re covering in this episode:

• The exact questions I ask on my pre-consult form

• Why client photos + inspo pics are non-negotiables

• The salon software that made my pre-consult process seamless

• How better pre-consults = better results behind the chair

• My top pro tips for streamlining colour bookings with confidence

🧡 This episode is proudly sponsored by Timely salon software. 💸 Use my exclusive code KRISTINA50 to get 50% off your first 3 months of Timely when you sign up via my link. Click here to join now.

Listen to episode 199 now to learn more.

📝 Episode show notes here: 

👉 https://www.kristinarussell.com.au/199

📲 Follow the host on Instagram @colourkristina

👉 https://www.instagram.com/colourkristina

📩 Questions or training enquiries? 

👉Send me a DM on Instagram @colourkristina or email me at [email protected]

Hosted by award-winning Hair Colourist & Educator, Kristina Russell.

Let’s be real — no-shows suck. They cost you time, money, and sanity. In this solo episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, I’m sharing the exact strategy that helped me eliminate no-shows completely for four years straight. It starts with one simple rule: no deposit = no booking.

Here’s what we’re covering in this episode:

• Why no-shows are more than just lost income — they hurt your momentum
• How I introduced a $200 booking fee for new clients (and stuck to it!)
• Why I now charge every client a 30% deposit, even regulars
• How TimelyPay makes this process easy, fair, and automated
• What happened when I got bold with boundaries — and how my dream clients responded
• Why this works whether you’re a freelancer, chair renter, or salon owner

This episode is proudly sponsored by Timely salon software.

 

🎧 Use my exclusive code KRISTINA50 to get 50% off your first 3 months of Timely when you sign up via my link. Click here. 

Listen to episode 198 now to learn more.

📝 Episode show notes here: 

👉 https://www.kristinarussell.com.au/198

📲 Follow the host on Instagram @colourkristina

👉 https://www.instagram.com/colourkristina

📩 Questions or training enquiries? 

👉Send me a DM on Instagram @colourkristina or email me at [email protected]

Hosted by award-winning Hair Colourist & Educator, Kristina Russell.

 

Tired of chasing no-shows, sending endless reminders, or feeling awkward about taking payments?

In this episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, we’re diving into how Timely salon software can help you streamline your bookings, set up deposit systems, and get paid with confidence, without adding more to your plate.

I’m joined by Sherri Ponisi, ANZ Partnerships Account Executive at Timely, who brings 20+ years of industry experience and deep insight into what hairdressers really need from their software. Sherri started behind the chair, managed busy salons, and now supports salon professionals with tech that actually works.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Timely salon software.

Here’s what we’re covering in this episode:

• Why 65% of new clients now book online — and how to make that work for you

• How to stop no-shows with deposit policies and automation

• What TimelyPay can do to simplify in-salon payments (and even save you money)

• Automations that reduce your admin time by hours every week — including rebooking reminders, revisit texts for lapsed clients, Google review requests, and more

🎧 Use my exclusive code KRISTINA50 to get 50% off your first 3 months of Timely when you sign up via my link. Click here. 

Listen to episode 197 now to learn more.

📝 Episode show notes here: 

👉 https://www.kristinarussell.com.au/197

📲 Follow the host on Instagram @colourkristina

👉 https://www.instagram.com/colourkristina

📩 Questions or training enquiries? 

👉Send me a DM on Instagram @colourkristina or email me at [email protected]

Hosted by award-winning Hair Colourist & Educator, Kristina Russell.

Have you ever filled a blonde before going darker and ended up with unwanted red tones? You're not alone — most hairdressers are taught to fill with red, regardless of the target level. But here’s the truth: red is not a universal filler, and using it when it’s not needed can lock you into a cycle of toner corrections and dull results.

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most outdated techniques still taught in beauty school: using red as a default filler. If your goal isn’t a level 5 red or deeper, red is the wrong choice.

We’ll explore:

🎯 Why red lives at level 6 on the lightening scale 🎯 When filling with red creates more problems than it solves 🎯 What undertones to use instead for levels 7, 8, and 9 🎯 How to avoid root glow, muddy results, and forced toner layering

Plus, I’ll walk you through how I approach real in-salon colour corrections using my target-tone filler method, with golds, orange-golds, and neutral browns that match your client’s desired outcome.

This episode is your reminder to formulate with intention, not habit. It’s time to rethink what you were taught and update your colour toolkit for better, brand-free results.

 

🎟️ Register now for my FREE online class: Create Predictable Red & Copper Hair Colour WITHOUT The Costly Mistakes & Refunds Finally, stop the root glow, banding, and freakouts once and for all — and start colouring with confidence. 👉 Click here to save your seat and learn more.

📝 Show notes and episode blog: 👉 https://www.kristinarussell.com.au/196

📲 Follow @colourkristina on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/colourkristina

📩 Got questions or want to bring me into your salon for training? Email me at [email protected] or send me a DM.

⭐️ Ready to go deeper into formulation and colour correction? My signature online course Hair Painting for Redheads, is designed to help you confidently customise reds, coppers, and colour corrections using any salon brand.

This episode is for every hairdresser who’s ever been told, “just fill with red.” Let’s end that myth once and for all.

When it comes to copper hair, we all know the struggle. You’ve seen it: that dreaded red root glow that turns your perfect copper into a nightmare.

The truth? Reds and coppers are trickier than any other colour. Most hairdressers are guessing formulas, hoping they don’t mess up, and then blaming the product when it doesn’t work.

That ends now.

I created Hair Painting for Redheads to put an end to all of that uncertainty. It's time to confidently nail every red and copper request, without fear of the dreaded root glow or that “oops” moment when the client walks out.

In this episode, I’ll show you how to:

• Formulate copper with precision (say goodbye to unwanted red tones!)

• Prevent root glow from ruining your perfect colour

• Fix any red disaster (and keep your clients coming back!)

No more awkward consultations. No more hiding your work. You’re about to become the expert that redheads trust—and their friends refer to you.

👉 Click here to enrol now & master reds once and for all >> https://kristinarussell.com.au/hairpaintingreds/

EP 195 is part two of my 2-part podcast series, where we’re diving deep into the real, unfiltered truth about colouring redheads. You’re getting all the insider tips straight from my recent 90-minute live webinar.

⚠️But here's the catch: This podcast and the $300 discount for my Hair Painting for Redheads course expire on Monday night. If you're hearing this, it means now is the perfect time to enrol.

Send me a DM on Instagram @colourkristina to learn more and ask questions.

🎉 Exciting Announcement: My podcast has officially been selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 10 Hair Podcasts and Top 10 Hair Stylist Podcasts on the web! Thank you all for your amazing support—I couldn't have done it without you!

And don’t forget, this episode and the $300 discount for my Hair Painting for Redheads course expire when the live class replay expires. If you're listening right now, this is the perfect time to enrol and learn the exact methods I’m talking about.

When a client’s red goes wrong, they might not say anything… but you’ll notice. The way they glance at their roots. The hesitant “It looks… good?” before rushing out the door.

And then? They never come back.

The reality: Most hairdressers are WINGING IT with reds and coppers. They guess formulas, hope for the best, and blame the brand when it doesn’t work.

That’s why I created Hair Painting for Redheads.

So you can stop second-guessing, avoid costly redos, and confidently paint every red request—on purpose, not by accident.

A proven system that teaches you to:

• Formulate reds with precision (no more guesswork!)

• Confidently fix any red disaster (before the client notices!)

• Become the expert redheads trust—and refer to their friends

 

No more silent walkouts. No more losing clients.

 

Click here to enrol now & master reds once and for all >> https://kristinarussell.com.au/hairpaintingreds/

 

This is the first part of a 2-part podcast series, something a little different for this show.

 

I’ve just hosted a live 90-minute webinar, and I’ve split the audio recording into two juicy, tell-all episodes for you. There might be a slight difference in sound quality, but don’t worry—you’ll get used to it in no time. Trust me, this is gold!

 

This series will expire when the live class replay expires, along with the $300 discount for my online course Hair Painting for Redheads. So if you’re listening to this, it means now is the perfect time to enrol.

 

Send me a DM on Instagram @colourkristina to learn more and ask questions.

If your clients are bringing in Pinterest-worthy tangerine haircolour inspiration, and you’re unsure whether it's a blonde or copper reference, this podcast is for you! In this episode, we’re diving into trending light copper hair tones and why every hairdresser needs reliable formulas for strawberry blonde, tangerine copper, and peachy shades before booking your next strawberry client.   If you’ve ever had clients leave the salon with perfect copper, only for it to fade too quickly, I’ve been there. But not anymore with my 5-6-7-8 'Level Up' system for hair painting redheads. The issue often comes down to over-lightening or under-lifting. When the lift isn’t balanced correctly, it can affect the longevity of your hair colour. Those Pinterest-perfect tangerine coppers with blonde ends may seem like the dream, but they come with challenges.   How do you keep the copper vibrant while adding blonde highlights?   I’m breaking it down with proven formulas for different base levels. Listen to learn more. We’ll discuss when to pre-lighten, the best copper hair colour bases to create before adding blonde highlights, and how to mix peach and golden blonde shades into copper without going too light or ashy. Plus, I’ll share my professional tips for keeping these copper tones vibrant for longer. 🎟️ Book here for my FREE LIVE online Copper Hair Colour class for Hairdressers 🎧 Listen to episode 193 now 📝 Episode show notes here 📲 Follow @colourkristina on Instagram 📩 Questions or in-salon training requests? Send an email to me at [email protected] or DM on Instagram. Let's chat. ⭐️ Ready to become an expert hair colourist? You'll love my signature online course Hair Painting for Redheads. Click here to learn more and enrol now.    

 

Feeling stuck on social media? Struggling to stand out in a sea of sameness?

In this episode, we're diving into the biggest shifts in digital marketing for the hair industry and how to cut through the noise to grow your dream salon client list. I'm joined by marketing expert and founder of Six Underground Media, Hayley Mears—a former hairdresser who’s been helping salons and beauty brands slay their social media and marketing content game since 2010.

If you're ready to think outside the box, attract your ideal clients, and future-proof your salon business, this episode is a must-listen!

We discuss what's working now, including:

✔️ Prioritising TikTok for organic reach ✔️ Reels + short-form video to boost engagement ✔️ Liking your own comments (yep—it helps!) ✔️ Tailoring content for each platform ✔️ Thinking beyond digital—QR codes, pop-ups + creative collabs are back!

Episode 192 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast is serving up the hottest social media strategies for 2025—perfect for hairdressers, stylists, salon owners, and hair colour queens who want to slay online. Hit play to level up your socials!

🎧 Listen to episode 192 now 📝 Episode show notes here 📲 Follow @colourkristina on Instagram 📩 Questions or in-salon training requests? Send an email to me at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram. Let's chat.

🎟️ Book now for my next livestream class: CODE RED – Principles of Red & Copper Hair Colouring https://kristinarussell.com.au/codered/

⭐️ Ready to become an expert hair colourist? You'll love my signature online course, Hair Painting for Redheads. Click here to learn more and enrol now.

 

Wondering if you need to pre-bleach for that Rihanna Red or the deep berry shade SZA rocked at the Super Bowl?

If your clients bring in haircolour inspo pics of deep, cool-toned reds but you’re unsure how to formulate them, this episode is for you. We’ll cover when to pre-lighten, the best undertones to expose, and how to mix red and violet to avoid warmth or dullness. Plus, I’ll share my pro tips on keeping these shades vibrant longer. Let’s get into it!

We’ll talk about: ✔️ When to pre-lighten vs. when to apply colour directly ✔️ How to mix cherry, burgundy & berry reds without dullness ✔️ What glossing techniques and at-home care keep reds from fading too fast

Whether you're lifting dark bases, layering direct dyes, or trying to avoid murky results, this episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers is packed with formulas and strategies you can start using today.

🎧 Listen to episode 191 now 📝 Episode show notes here 📲 Follow @colourkristina on Instagram 📩 Questions or in-salon training requests? Send an email to me at [email protected] or DM on Instagram. Let's chat.

🎟️ Book now for my next livestream class: CODE RED – Principles of Red & Copper Hair Colouring https://kristinarussell.com.au/codered/

⭐️ Ready to become an expert hair colourist? You'll love my signature online course Hair Painting for Redheads. Click here to learn more and enrol now.

Wondering if 40 vol peroxide is safe for on-scalp use?

In this episode of Colour Kristina Talks, we’re busting myths and breaking down exactly when, why, and how to use 40 vol peroxide safely for red and copper hair. If you’ve ever questioned whether 40 vol is too strong or risky, this episode will give you the answers you need.

We’ll cover these three key scenarios where 40 vol is a must-know technique:

✔️ 40 Vol + High-Lift Tint: The perfect solution for achieving peachy, golden, and strawberry blonde tones without bleach. ✔️ Lifting Dark Bases to Copper: How to safely lift levels 3 & 4 to a rich level 7 copper using 40 vol and high-lift tint. ✔️ 40 Vol with Permanent Colour: When and why some permanent colours allow 40 vol for maximum lift—and how to avoid over-processing.

From formulation tips to common mistakes to avoid (like never mixing 40 vol with bleach on the scalp!), this episode is a must-listen for hairdressers who want to master red and copper hair with confidence.

Listen to episode 190 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for hairdressers, hair stylist, and salon owners to learn how to use 40 vol peroxide on the scalp.

Episode show notes here.

Follow the show host @colourkristina, and if you have questions or in-salon training requests, email us at [email protected] or send a DM on Instagram.

The Colour Kristina Talks Podcast is hosted by Hair Colourist and Educator, Kristina Russell.

Click here to register now for the livestream class—CODE RED: Principles of Red & Copper Hair Colouring.