Porosity is something my clients never think about, but I always assess it first before touching a single strand. How do you test for it quickly during a consultation? And how does high versus low porosity change your formula, processing time, and the aftercare advice you give? In your experience, is porosity something that can be corrected over time, or is it largely permanent once the hair’s been through it?
- Aashna Sethi, Vadodra
Hair porosity plays a key role in how hair responds to any salon service, even something as simple as a blow-dry. A quick way to assess porosity is through a stretch test, if the hair snaps with minimal stretching, it is likely highly porous. If it stretches slightly before returning to shape, the porosity is relatively balanced. Porosity also influences the choice of treatment products. Highly porous hair is generally more fragile and responds better to milder formulations, while low-porosity hair may require stronger products for effective results. While porosity is largely determined by factors such as genetics and hair history, it can be improved and managed over time with the right aftercare and routine.
I find colour fades faster than it should for so many of my clients, and nine times out of ten, the reason is aftercare. What are the non-negotiable aftercare instructions you give every single colour client? And what’s the most damaging habit you hear clients admit to once it’s too late? Is there a realistic at-home toning or maintenance routine you’d actually recommend between salon visits?
- Aarav Trivedi, Hyderabad
The most non-negotiable aftercare products I recommend are a colour-protect shampoo and mask. They are essential after any hair colour service to help maintain vibrancy and longevity. One common mistake many clients make is skipping conditioner or a hair mask after shampooing. This can leave the hair cuticle open, causing the colour to fade faster and the hair to lose moisture. For those looking to refresh their colour between salon visits, tinted shampoos can be a helpful option. They help revive the tone and enhance colour vibrancy, although they cannot fully replicate the results of a professional salon colour service.
Beyond the basic warm-cool undertone rule, what’s your actual process for reading a client’s skin? How do factors like eye colour, natural brow tone, and even seasonal changes in their complexion shift your recommendation? And are there colour choices you’ve found almost universally flatter, regardless of the individual?
- Priyanka Arora, Udaipur
My approach is fairly simple. Lighter skin tones can generally carry brighter shades with ease. Blonde, caramel, champagne and honey tones tend to complement fair complexions beautifully.
For someone with fair skin and light hazel eyes, I would lean towards cooler blonde tones, while warm blondes and caramel shades work particularly well with light brown eyes. For wheatish, dusky or deeper skin tones, I prefer creating dimension with richer, more subtle shades rather than going overly bright. Tones such as chestnut, coffee, mocha and chocolate brown complement these complexions naturally. For clients with darker eyes, I often add hints of burgundy to create a rich reddish-brown effect. On deeper skin tones, shades like cherry red or deep red can look especially striking while still feeling balanced and sophisticated.
Convincing a client to change a colour they’ve worn for years is as much psychology as it is technique. How do you handle that conversation when you can see their current colour is working against them, especially with blondes who’ve gone too light for their skin tone as they’ve aged? What’s your approach to making that transition feel like an upgrade rather than a loss?
- Tanisha Mehra, Lucknow
Most of my clients place a great deal of trust in my recommendations. However, if I had to answer, I believe the key lies in consultation. When you take the time to understand a client’s concerns, explain the technical aspects clearly and recommend what is best suited to their hair type and goals, they are usually convinced and open to your suggestion. Informed clients tend to make more confident decisions.
MEET THE EXPERT Shailesh Moolya, National Technical Head at Godrej Professional, brings over 20 years of hairdressing experience. Specialising in short hairstyles and updos, he transitioned from a fiveyear IT career to hairstyling, earning certifications from Vidal Sassoon and other leading institutions. Known for his client-first approach, he focuses on creating looks that enhance individual personalities. His work with multiple celebrities further reflects his versatility and expertise.