Mastering Strawberry Blonde – Your Formula Guide

Strawberry blonde is a truly unique hair colour that many hairdressers love, but it’s also a shade that presents quite the challenge. It's the perfect blend of red and blonde tones, making it both a favourite for its stunning, natural glow and a challenge because it requires precise formulation to get just right.

In this episode, we’re diving into why so many stylists fear working with reds, especially shades like strawberry blonde, and I’ll be sharing must-have formulas that every colourist needs in their toolkit. Plus, we’ll discuss how mastering these shades can boost your salon bookings, making you the go-to expert for this niche colour. Stay tuned for some practical tips you can apply immediately to your next colour client!

Show notes for episode 182

Red Requests Can Be Scary for Hairdressers

It’s no secret that red shades can be tricky. Whether it’s unpredictable results or concerns about fading and upkeep, it’s common to feel intimidated. However, strawberry blonde is a more subtle red tone that can give stunning results while being a little less intense. But don’t be fooled—this shade still requires technique and attention to detail.  What I can guarantee is by mastering the right formulas, red requests don’t have to be scary. With the right technique and formulas, you’ll feel confident in creating beautiful, vibrant reds.

Strawberry Blonde Formulas Every Hairdresser Needs 

3 must-have formulas based on different starting levels:

1. 1. For Natural Blondes: A soft, warm strawberry blonde for low-maintenance clients. My favourite approach is to do multi-tone foil highlights with a Level 7 copper and 20 vol, and a Level 10 natural with 30 vol and a high-lift tint and 40 vol.
   2. For Darker Hair Levels: How to lift and tone effectively without going too red or too light. Strawberry blonde is better suited to lighter-haired clients or natural redheads, and less suitable for dark brunettes. My recommendation would be to try strawberry dark blonde and caramel tones, for example using high-lift tints with 30vol
   3. For Blondes wanting a Touch of Red: Try a playful, pastel strawberry blonde. I'd like to emphasize that it's balance of gold, copper, and red in each formula. Go for a level 9 red, whether you need to dilute with a clear or pastelizer. Level 9 is the best for this.

Understanding Your Client’s Vision of Strawberry Blonde

One of the most important steps in achieving the perfect strawberry blonde is understanding your client’s vision. “Strawberry blonde” can mean different things to different people, so communication is key. Does your client want something more golden or more reddish? I always recommend asking a few key questions to get clarity.

Ask the right question: Do they lean more toward a golden blonde or a reddish hue? These conversations allow you to customize the formula and, just as important, manage their expectations.

Boosting Salon Colour Bookings with Strawberry Blonde —

Strawberry blonde can be a great color to promote in your salon. This shade is incredibly versatile and wearable, appealing to a wide range of clients. By featuring it in consultations or even promoting it on social media, you can spark interest and get more clients excited about trying it out. Offering seasonal transformations—like a spring refresh or fall warm-up—can also help you boost your color bookings and keep your clients coming back for more.

Remember: red hair doesn’t have to be intimidating! With the right formulas and a clear understanding of your client’s vision, you can create stunning strawberry blonde shades. 

BONUS LESSON! When you register for my Free Online Copper Hair Colour Masterclass for Hairdressers you will gain exclusive access to 3 bonus lessons before the class!  

✨One of the 3 bonus lessons is called From Red to Gold – The Strawberry Blonde Formula Guide and this is perfect to support all the details we discussed in this episode.

In this bonus class you will learn:

• The reason why most hairdressers remain frightened of red hair requests
• 3 Strawberry Blonde Hair Formulas every Hairdresser should have
• How to understand whether your client thinks Strawberry blonde is gold or red
• A simple way to increase salon colour bookings

That’s why I’m so excited for you to join my Free Masterclass: How to Achieve Copper Haircolour WITHOUT RED or Root Glow. Register by clicking this link >>> https://www.kristinarussell.online/copper

Listen to episode 182 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast to learn more about strawberry blonde hair colour formulas that you and your clients will love.