Bond builders have been a game changer for stylists, allowing them to push the boundaries of hair lightening and massive color transformations. Not only are stylists able to cater to their clients’ crazy color demands, but like modern-day superheroes, they can also help protect the hair from damage. “I like to tell my clients that using a bond builder is like an insurance policy,” says Aloxxi Artistic Team Member Erin Nelson. “We’re able to prevent damage instead of working against damage that has already been done.” She suggests incorporating Aloxxi RRx Treatment into every lightening service, but it can also be used as a stand-alone treatment. “We offer express and full-service options,” says Nelson. “The express takes 15 minutes and the full-service takes 30 minutes. In one treatment you can see a notable difference—it’s pretty amazing.”
For Alfredo Lewis, Global Director of Education for Brazilian Professionals, bond builders are an essential part of every hair color service. “Each time you open the cuticle, you run the risk of damage,” says Lewis, who explains that b3 Bond Builder also helps deliver better gray coverage and more vibrant-looking colors with added shine. After the bond builder service, Lewis treats clients with b3 Demi Permanent Conditioner, which attaches itself to the cuticle and cortex and lasts up to 12 washes.
Both experts agree that adding bond-building services to your menu should carry a premium, either by charging them like you would other add-on services or increasing the overall price of a lightening service by about 20 percent. “We estimate that colorists can make an extra $20,000 per year by adding b3 to their service menu,” says Lewis. Sounds like a win-win situation to us.
The latest innovations in the bond builder and hair strengthening categories:
- Aloxxi RRx Treatment Reparative Serum is part of a two-step professional system that protects hair bonds during the chemical process and delivers reparative benefits to severely damaged hair.
- colorpHlex Color Strengthening Additive improves the strength and quality of the hair via a naturally derived vegetable protein molecule.
- Schwarzkopf Professional Fibreplex N°1 Bond Booster is the initial step of a three-part system. Applied in-salon and mixed into the lightening or lifting system, it protects the hair structure during the coloring process.
- b3 Brazilian Bond Builder penetrates the cortex of the hair and reattaches bonds broken during color services, reducing damage while improving color retention with no added processing time.
- L’Oréal Professionnel Smartbond increases coloring and lightening efficiency while protecting and strengthening strands broken during and after technical processes.
- Milkshake Color Specifics Acid Color Sealer closes hair cuticles after every color service to seal in color. Conditioning and moisturizing agents soften hair, while aloe vera extract calms the skin.
- Goldwell BONDPRO+ Protection Serum is part of a two-step system that penetrates the hair fiber to prevent breakage during chemical processes. It can also be used as a stand-alone service.
- Matrix BOND Ultim8 Sealer is a deep conditioning treatment that restores weakened bonds and adds further protection by sealing in Ultim8 Step 1, which protects hair from the alkaline agents in the lightening process.
- Truss Professional 8 XPowder allows bleaching agents to be evenly distributed into the cortex of the hair fiber, reducing damaging and ensuring vibrant color.
- Keune Bond Fusion Phase 2 Bond Enhancer deeply nourishes and restores by strengthening and sealing the bonds in each individual strand to ensure hair stays in the best condition for as long as possible.
- Redken pH-Bonder Post-Service Perfector is a weekly treatment designed for clients to maintain their hair’s natural pH at home. Works in conjunction with the Bond Protecting Additive and Fiber Restorative Pre-Wash Concentrate.
- ColorProof SignatureBlonde Restorative Filler prolongs the vibrancy of blonde color while filling in gaps in the cuticle for a smooth finish.
From the March issue, click here for the digital edition.