Ask any seasoned colourist and they’ll tell you: formulation matters, technique matters- but lighting? Lighting can make or break the end result.
It’s something Lloyd Court, Creative Director and Co-Owner of seanhanna salons in Wimbledon, knows well. For him, good lighting isn’t just about creating an Instagram-ready finish- it’s about accuracy.
“Getting the right lighting in-salon is so important as it really helps the clients to see exactly what they are getting, and also helps the hairdresser to analyse the hair colour effectively,” explains Lloyd..
With social media now the unofficial portfolio for most colourists, the ring light has found its place alongside tint bowls and foils. But, Lloyd warns, not all lighting is created equal.
“Try to get a ring light that can adjust brightness and warmth; you want to make sure it’s kept at a nice sunlight setting- it’s not too warm, not too cool and not too bright,” he advises. “I find it best when you put your ring light about one metre from your client to ensure it doesn’t add too much artificial light.”
So how do you avoid surprises- either at the basin or when a client checks their colour later in a bathroom mirror? Lloyd shares his non-negotiables.
LIGHT ON: Lloyd Court’s Top Tips
- Work near natural light wherever possible.
Daylight offers the most honest read of tone- before filters, ring lights or salon spotlighting step in. - Teach clients about light changes.
Colour doesn’t exist in one fixed state. “If you’re looking at hair colour in the natural light it’s going to appear a lot warmer than if you’re looking at it in a blue light, in a bathroom for example,” Lloyd explains. Preparing clients for that shift saves confusion later. - Soft strip lighting is a strong backup.
If the salon layout or time of day makes natural light impossible, soft strip lighting gives an even result- without pushing tones too warm or too cool. - Know which shades shift the most.
Blondes are famously mercurial, but they’re not alone. “Blondes tend to vary in tone more dramatically than other shades depending on the light source,” says Lloyd. “However, brunettes and redheads can also appear very different under different lights. For example, if you are using a spotlight, every single red/copper client you do will look like they have root glow.” - Use ring lights wisely for content.
Filters and boosted brightness might win likes- but they can also distort reality. “If it looks too fake, it’s going to backfire when another client asks for it and her hair looks like a different colour to your Instagram picture,” Lloyd notes.
As colour trends continue evolving- and clients arrive with saved posts and hyper-specific expectations- lighting has quietly become one of the most valuable technical tools in the salon.
Follow Lloyd Court: @lloydcourthair.