Hairbrained Articles

Schwarzkopf Professional IGORA Color10: The Game-Changer in Permanent Hair Color When it comes to professional hair color, time and results are everything. Schwarzkopf Professional IGORA Color10 is redefining the industry by delivering 100% gray coverage while maintaining hair health and incredible shine—all in just 10 minutes. The Science Behind IGORA Color10's Speed Many assume that a faster processing time requires a higher developer, leading to potential hair damage. However, as hairstylist and color specialist Paige Schrick (@paige.ashtonkc) explains, IGORA Color10 works differently. "The magic in IGORA Color10 comes from glycine and arginine amino acids pairing with the color pigment. These amino acids are small enough to penetrate directly into the hair cortex, allowing color pigment to latch on and deliver immediate results." 100% White Coverage and Vibrancy in Just 10 Minutes Completely covering gray and white is a key concern for stylists working with permanent hair color. So how can IGORA Color10 do it in just 10 minutes? "There is more color pigment packed into each tube compared to traditional permanent color lines. Even though the processing time is shorter than average, the increased pigment load ensures full coverage. The longer it sits, the richer the color. A 10- to 15-minute processing time is ideal for achieving optimal results." Additionally, IGORA Color10 can be intermixed like traditional color lines, allowing stylists to blend natural shades with secondary colors for customized coverage. Despite the quick processing time, IGORA Color10 ensures long-lasting, vibrant color. How so? "Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and protein is essential for strong, healthy hair. When paired with the higher pigment concentration, the amino acids help to lock in color for superior vibrancy and longevity—all in a fraction of the time of traditional color." 100% Gray Coverage Quick Processing Amino Acid Technology Long-lasting Results Hair Health Boosting Salon Efficiency and Client Satisfaction For stylists, time is money, and IGORA Color10 allows you to maximize productivity without compromising results. "The 10- to 15-minute processing time is a complete game changer. It allows for a quicker turnaround, benefiting both the stylist and the client." But just because the service can be done faster, doesn't mean it's cheaper. "This is a luxury express service, meaning stylists can charge more while taking on more clients in a day—without adding extra time behind the chair." For those new to the line, Schrick recommends experimenting with different techniques. "Play around with it, get creative! One of my favorite ways to use it is at the shampoo bowl. Apply it like a root smudge on damp hair, let it process for 15 minutes, and you'll achieve seamless gray coverage without a harsh line of demarcation." With its innovative formulation, rapid processing time, and high-performance results, Schwarzkopf Professional IGORA Color10 is setting a new standard in the hair color industry. Whether you're looking to boost efficiency in your salon or offer premium, timesaving services to your clients, this express color solution is a must-try for every stylist. For more information about IGORA Color10 and other Schwarzkopf Professional products: Visit Schwarzkopf Professional © 2025 Schwarzkopf Professional. All rights reserved.  

The Benefits of Being Faster: How Igora Color10 Transforms the Salon Experience In today's fast-paced world, clients crave high-quality hair services—but without the lengthy appointments. Juli Bjornson (@julidoesmyhair), Schwarzkopf Professional USA Artist Team Member, shares how Igora Color10 is revolutionizing salon efficiency, offering full permanent color results in just 10 minutes without compromising quality. Meeting the Demand for Express Services The demand for instant beauty solutions has skyrocketed in recent years. Clients love getting their hair done, but many struggle to fit color services into their busy schedules. "It's a well-known truth that we inhabit an 'instant' world. While our guests continue to crave our offerings, they often find themselves bound by the lengthy rituals of traditional permanent color. Enter Igora Color10, a magical solution that delivers a permanent hair color transformation in just 10 minutes—one-third of the usual processing time!" With faster services becoming a must, salons that incorporate Color10 can better accommodate time-strapped clients while increasing their revenue potential. How much time can hairdressers using Color10 save? The difference in timing per service is dramatic, says Bjornson. "Let me put it this way: My typical timing for a 6-week regrowth service, including the process, haircut and blowout, is around 2 hours. However, when I use Igora Color10, I can complete the same service, beginning to end, in just 50 minutes." This means stylists can fit in more clients per day while still delivering the high-quality color results they're known for. Salon Services That Benefit Most from Igora Color10 From root touch-ups to color corrections, Igora Color10 speeds up a variety of services without compromising results. "Any service can thrive with our lightning-fast processing time! We've got high-lift shades for face framers, money pieces and base shifts, plus shades perfect for root touch-ups and gray coverage that blend like magic with Igora Royal. Color10 is also your secret weapon for color correction!" For stylists looking to create a chic, lived-in color while blending grays, Bjornson offers this pro tip: "I love using Color10 for that effortlessly chic, lived-in vibe while tackling pesky greys. First, I highlight to add dimension. Once the hair is lifted to the perfect level, I shampoo and rough dry. Then, I swoop in with Color10 and a blending comb to create a gorgeous gradient that's full-coverage perfection." Root Touch-ups Gray Coverage Face Framers Color Correction Lived-in Color Decreasing Appointment Times While Increasing Revenue (and Happiness!) One of the biggest advantages of Igora Color10 is its ability to boost salon profitability without sacrificing results. "With significantly less processing time, we are able to fit more clients into our schedule with ease. When clients see they can receive the same services with the same results in less time, they are happy to rebook." More efficient scheduling means stylists can serve a higher volume of clients while maintaining top-tier results. What's more, clients love the idea of high-performance hair color without the long wait. "They are thrilled! While many guests dream of a day at the salon, life often interferes with such plans. Providing this service to clients eases their minds and creates time in their busy schedules for various activities." So no need for clients to take a day off work or find a babysitter just to keep up with their hair color—making it a game-changer for those with busy lifestyles. Should salons charge a premium for express services? Absolutely! Bjornson says she firmly believes that express color should be positioned as a luxury service. "I consistently invest in premium services that improve my quality of life, and hair color is no exception. Clients appreciate having the choice and are generally receptive to a price increase in return for regaining time in their schedules." By marketing Schwarzkopf Professional Igora Color10 as a time-saving, high-performance service, salons can increase their value and pricing while giving clients what they want most—stunning color in record time. For more information about IGORA Color10 and other Schwarzkopf Professional products: Visit Schwarzkopf Professional © 2025 Schwarzkopf Professional. All rights reserved.  

Beyond The Gray: Unlocking the Full Potential of IGORA Color10 Beyond The Gray: Unlocking the Full Potential of IGORA Color10 When it comes to express hair color, Schwarzkopf Professional IGORA Color10 is known for delivering full gray coverage in just 10 minutes. But its benefits go far beyond root touch-ups. Nikki Torpe (@nikkitorpehair), Artist for Schwarzkopf Professional USA, shares how stylists can push the boundaries of IGORA Color10, incorporating it into a variety of services to enhance efficiency and profitability in the salon. Beyond the Basics: Creative Ways to Use IGORA Color10 While root touch-ups and gray coverage remain the foundation of IGORA Color10, its versatility makes it an essential tool for modern stylists. "Color10 is such a helpful tool behind the chair. Touch-ups and gray coverage are the heroes for Color10, but I love using it for lowlighting and even adding a few highlights using the Speed+ series." Stylists looking to optimize their workflow can integrate Color10 into multistep color services like balayage, toning and quick touch-ups between highlights. "There are so many opportunities to add Color10 to your services, from mini highlight and lowlight applications to color touch-ups between highlights for those that lift quickly. And let's be real—sometimes your guest is running late, and you still want to squeeze them in for their regrowth touch-up. Color10 makes that possible!" The ability to cut processing time without sacrificing quality allows you to take on more clients while still delivering premium results. For clients in need of quick refreshes between full-color appointments or color corrections, Color10 is a go-to solution. "Color10 is a very versatile tool. It works beautifully for quick regrowth touch-ups and pairs perfectly with IGORA Vibrance when guests need their mid-lengths and ends refreshed or toned during a color correction." By combining these two lines, stylists can create a seamless all-over color while keeping services efficient. Customization: Intermixability and Express Vibrant Colors One of Color10's standout features is its intermixability with the rest of the IGORA color portfolio, allowing for fully customized color services. "What I love so much is that Color10 uses the same numbering system as our other IGORA shades. That means if I use a Color10 shade for a retouch, I can use the same IGORA Vibrance shade on the mid-lengths and ends to create a cohesive, all-over color service." This consistency makes it easy for stylists to personalize formulas and match tones across different hair color lines. Intermixability Customization Consistent Numbering Seamless Color While Color10 excels at natural tones, it also offers bold, vibrant shades for express fashion colors. "Color10 has everything. From natural shades to vibrant reds and coppers, there's a shade for everyone." With express processing, clients can achieve head-turning fashion colors in record time—an appealing option for those who want stunning results without spending hours in the chair. Elevating Express Services to a Luxury Offering Speed isn't just a benefit—it's a luxury that clients are willing to pay for. By incorporating IGORA Color10 into express services, salons can increase revenue while maximizing efficiency. "IGORA Color10 will never replace your permanent hair color line, including IGORA Royal. But having Color10 allows stylists to fit more guests into their day, and I've found that most people will pay more for a service that's convenient and gives them time back." Positioning express services as a premium offering not only attracts busy clients but also boosts profitability. By embracing Color10's versatility, stylists can expand their service menu, optimize their workflow and offer clients the convenience of express color—without sacrificing quality. For more information about IGORA Color10 and other Schwarzkopf Professional products: Visit Schwarzkopf Professional © 2025 Schwarzkopf Professional. All rights reserved.

This Valentine’s season, fall in love with your craft all over again! From February 14 to 18, 2025, the Hairbrained Pro Shop is offering an exclusive 20% off all tools—because every great hairdresser deserves the best tools to create magic behind the chair. At Hairbrained, we believe that the right tools don’t just make a difference—they elevate your artistry. “A well-crafted tool isn’t just an accessory; it’s an extension of a hairdresser’s hands,” says Gerard Scarpaci, Hairbrained Co-Founder. “This sale is an amazing opportunity to invest in the tools that truly bring out your best work.” From precision shears to high-performance blow dryers and everything in between, the Hairbrained Pro Shop is stocked with top-tier tools handpicked by professionals, for professionals. Whether you're a seasoned stylist or just starting out, this is your chance to upgrade your kit and reignite your passion for the craft. Don’t miss out—this limited-time sale runs for just five days! Head to the Hairbrained Pro Shop and grab the tools you need to keep the love for hair alive. ❤️ https://hairbrained.pro/collections/best-sellers  

Hb Sessions Orange County, Hairbrained’s inaugural one-day event, brought together over 200 top hairdressers at The Richland, a boutique hotel and event venue in Orange, California, on January 27, 2025. Sponsored by Eleven Australia, Virtue Labs and Olivia Garden, the sold-out event delivered nearly five hours of top-tier education and inspiration through dynamic mainstage presentations from some of the industry’s leading educators—all in a luxurious setting. The event opened with Hairbrained cofounders Gerard Scarpaci and Randy Taylor pausing to reflect on the horrific wildfires that Southern California recently experienced. “Many of our friends, family members, neighbors and clients have faced unimaginable loss,” Scarpaci said. “Let’s take this opportunity to find inspiration, not just for our craft, but for how we can make a difference, however small, in the world around us. You’ll leave today not only with new skills, but also I hope with renewed energy and a deeper sense of community.” In fact, following the wildfire outbreak, Hairbrained donated 100% of remaining ticket sale proceeds to the Professional Business Association’s Disaster Relief Fund, raising $5,000 for the charity that directly benefits hairdressers. First to the stage was Hb’s new Creative Director, Jacob Khan, as well as Ben White, both of whom had the challenge of teaching on eight live models in less than an hour! The team opened their presentation by cutting the hair of fellow presenters, Briana Cisneros and Emily Chen. Khan channeled Chen’s former “scene style” by chopping her long tresses. “We want to take her back to her dark, emo roots and give her some of that ‘shreddy’ action that she’s looking for,” Khan explained. Meanwhile, White razor-cut Cisneros’ bixie, being sure to “keep some extra weight through the lengths and ends,” he explained. The duo then taught the rapt audience techniques on cutting fringe, creating Oasis-inspired men’s crops, shaggy curls, carving curves into long layers, and cutting hair extensions, which Khan explains some stylists are reluctant to do. “I think a lot of [hairdressers] are really afraid to cut extensions after they install them because extensions cost 450 thousand dollars,” Khan said with a smile. Next up was Ambrosia Carey on behalf of Olivia Garden. “I really want this to focus on foundational basics for craft hairstyles,” Carey explained of her segment. Over the course of four models, Carey demonstrated tips and tricks to achieving elevated hairstyles using the wide range of Olivia Garden tools, including irons, shears, dryers and of course the brand’s ubiquitous round brush. Then taking the stage with her new ’do was Emily Chen on behalf of Eleven Australia. On her first model, whom she had glossed the day before, Chen cut an on-trend shaggy style, breaking down her technique to approaching each section. On her second model, she refined a bob while offering insight on how to cut it evenly, no matter where the client parts her hair. Jayne Matthews’ models all had the same essential razor cut, but each was tailored to their unique personality and face shape. Onstage, Matthews demoed her signature carved petals in her model's long, curly surfer-blonde hair. “I like to say I cut the hair like a bonsai tree, where you carve and you take away space so the hair has its own unique, organic shape,” she explained. “All of my haircutting focuses on features of the face. It’s framing the features of the face and helping them pop.” Closing out the show was Briana Cisneros, who demonstrated a range of techniques, including razor and scissor cutting as well as coloring tips. “My color story today is everything gold,” she said. “I wanted to expose underlying pigments, but in a way to celebrate them.” She also offered advice for budding hairdressers: “Cut as many heads of hair as you possibly can! Because, let me tell you, even once you get to your 10,000 hours of mastery, there’s still more to learn. I feel like I’m still just scratching the surface of what I could do.” After the mainstage presentations were completed, eager attendees queued up to grab their special Eleven Australia gift bags and imbibed on complimentary beer, wine or custom Eleven cocktails. Light bites also contributed to the festive atmosphere, as hairdressers mixed and mingled in the cool evening air. “The first-ever Hb Sessions was an incredible success, bringing together passionate hairdressers for an intimate day of education and inspiration,” says Scarpaci. “We couldn’t have done it without the generous support of our sponsors—Eleven Australia, Virtue Labs and Olivia Garden—and a huge thank you to all the attendees who came ready to learn, connect and elevate their skills. We’re excited to continue this journey with upcoming Hb Sessions in New York and Minnesota, leading up to our premier event, Hb Fest, this September in Palm Springs. We can’t wait to see you there!" For more information on future dates, visit https://hairbrained.pro/collections/event-tickets-1

Kao Salon Division has reached an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Andrea DeLeon as General Manager of its U.S. business. This pivotal move positions the company to accelerate growth in the U.S., one of its most vital markets.   “Andrea is one of the most experienced and respected members of our U.S. organization, with an extraordinary track record of orchestrating strategic wins and generating new growth for the business,” says Trevor Attenborough, Vice President, Salon Commercial, Kao Salon Americas Division. “There is no one better to energize our US Salon business to reach our ambitious goals, and I am delighted that work is in her capable hands.” When DeLeon joined Kao USA back in 2005, she had one goal: to make an impact. Nearly two decades later, she’s poised to lead the team into a bold new future. In 2019 DeLeon began serving as Division Vice President, Commercial Marketing and Commercial Strategy and Planning for Salon Americas. While in this position, she was instrumental in fueling the success of Kao Salon brands across the Americas region, steering marketing, commercial strategy and planning initiatives. Her background also includes significant experience in global marketing, sales development, key customer marketing, and guiding organizational change and market expansion projects. Prior to joining Kao USA, she held positions of increasing responsibility — including as Marketing Director — at DAP, Inc. “We have an exciting year ahead of us, and I look forward to getting to work alongside my US Salon colleagues to reach our goals, continue innovating and drive growth for the business and our partner salons,” says DeLeon. “I will continue to closely collaborate with the Americas regional leadership team to deliver on our promises to customers and stakeholders.” Want to know more about DeLeon’s plans for Goldwell and the entire Kao Salon Division in 2025? Stay tuned for her upcoming Hairbrained Conversations podcast episode with Hb Co-Founder Gerard Scarpaci.