When planning a drastic color change, what should be included in the plan?

• A. Proceed without tests.
• B. Include controlled lift, fillers, strand tests, and a clear presentation.
• C. Ignore fillers.
• D. Skip client presentation.

Answer: (B)

When planning a drastic color change, you must map out how the hair will lift, how porosity will affect the new shade, and how you’ll verify the result before committing. A controlled lift is essential to determine how light the hair can safely go and how long to process. Fillers are used to rebalance porosity and correct undertones, helping the color take evenly and preventing patchiness or unintended tones. Strand tests let you preview the lift and final shade on the actual client’s hair, confirm the processing time, and catch any issues before you apply the color to the whole head. A clear presentation communicates the plan, expectations, potential risks, maintenance, and costs to the client so they can give informed consent.

Without tests, you risk over-processing, uneven color, or damage because you won’t know how the hair will respond. Ignoring fillers can leave the final result uneven or brassy. Skipping the client presentation can lead to misaligned expectations and a lack of informed consent.