How to Keep Cool-Toned Hair Colours Looking Fresh in the Salon

Cool-toned shades, ash blondes, icy brunettes and silver greys are some of the most requested finishes in UK salons.

Ash Blonde- Ash blonde is a cooler, smokier version of traditional blonde, characterised by blue or green undertones that cancel out warmth (yellow or orange hues). It's particularly popular among clients seeking a sleek, muted look. It’s flattering on fair to medium skin tones and gives a high-end, polished feel. Ash tones also tend to work well with balayage or root smudge techniques, making them easier to maintain between appointments.

Icy Brunettes- While brunettes are often associated with warm, chocolatey tones, the trend of cool-toned brunettes—think mushroom brown or icy espresso—has surged in popularity. These shades bring a refined edge to natural brown hair, offering dimension without the red or copper tones that some clients want to avoid. Icy brunettes are especially popular among those transitioning from light hair colours who want a darker but still modern finish.

Silver Greys- Silver and grey tones have moved from being associated with ageing to becoming a bold, high-fashion choice. Whether worn as a statement colour or blended with darker roots for a more wearable effect, silver grey shades require significant pre-lightening and toning, making them a more high-maintenance but striking option. They're especially popular among younger clients seeking an edgy or alternative look, as well as older clients embracing their natural greys with a refined, tonal boost.

Keeping those tones is a challenge, between natural undertones resurfacing, frequent washing, and environmental factors like UV exposure, cool reflects are often the first to fade.

For stylists, the solution is an advanced professional colour system, aftercare, and service add-ons that ensure clients leave with results that last and keep returning for repeat appointments.

Client loyalty is built on trust in your results. A client leaving with a beautiful ash blonde look, only to see it fade brassy three weeks later, can lead them to question your service.

Reputation impact: Long-lasting results are consistently ranked as one of the top reasons clients return to the same salon

Efficiency: Less corrective work in follow-up appointments frees up your column for higher-value services.

Client satisfaction: Offering solutions to fading tones positions you as a stylist who anticipates problems before they appear.

Before looking at colour systems, it’s worth revisiting salon routines that reinforce results:

Pre-colour prep: Use neutralising treatments to counteract existing warmth.

Client education: Recommend cool water rinses and professional sulphate-free shampoos to preserve pigment.

Planned maintenance: Build gloss or toner refreshes into your service menu at 4–6 weeks.

These practices support but don’t replace the need for professional-grade colour innovation.

The real shift comes from upgrading your professional colour lines to include advanced pigment technology.

Traditional challenges with cool tones:

Brassiness resurfacing weeks into wear.

Limited palette options for ash and beige shades.

Mixing multiple tones to achieve grey coverage.

Modern solutions available wholesale:

Colour systems with extra pigment load to prevent fading.

Dedicated cool reflect ranges to streamline formulation.

Professional-only lines offering up to 100% white coverage without compromise.

One example is L’Oréal Majirel Cool Inforced, a professional-only innovation available through UK wholesalers.

• 60% more cool reflect pigments for longer-lasting tones.
• Fade resistance for up to 6 weeks, keeping results fresh until the next appointment.
• Reliable grey coverage when paired with other L'Oréal Majirel products.
• Nine pre-designed cool shades, reducing mixing complexity and improving efficiency.

For salons, this translates into predictable colour, repeatable results, and less corrective work, key drivers for client retention.

Cool colour doesn’t have to just be in a salon to support your business. Retail and service add-ons can protect your work and increase client value:

• Aftercare retail: Neutralising shampoos and conditioners for clients to maintain tone at home.
• In-salon glossing: Add a toner or gloss service to your menu for quick refresh appointments.
• Bundled services: Package colour with treatments or toners for seasonal promotions.

Cool tones are here to stay, and clients expect them to last. With the right combination of innovative colour systems, supportive salon practices, and professional aftercare, you can:

• Deliver results that hold between appointments.
• Streamline your colour service menu.
• Position your salon as a go-to for modern, fashion-forward shades.

If you’re interested in wholesale products for salon services, you can discover more at CM Hair and Beauty Supplies, delivering to customers across the UK.