New Jersey Cosmetology and Hairstyling Practice Exam

What should you consider when choosing color for highlights?

1. Client's eye color

2. Client's natural hair color

3. Seasonal trends

4. Cost of products

The correct answer is: Client's natural hair color

When selecting color for highlights, the client’s natural hair color is a significant factor to consider. The natural hair color serves as the foundation for any highlighting process and greatly influences the end result. It helps determine how well the highlighting color will blend and complement the hair, as well as how vibrant or subtle the highlights might appear. For example, lighter base colors may require different highlighting approaches compared to darker natural colors. Understanding the underlying pigments in a client's natural hair color can guide the stylist in selecting a highlight shade that will enhance the overall look while ensuring the highlights transition smoothly and naturally. While the other factors listed can certainly play a role in the overall decision-making process for hair coloring, they are secondary to the importance of aligning the highlights with the client's natural hair color. Eye color can provide insight into complementary shades, seasonal trends can help with modern aesthetics, and cost considerations may impact client decisions, but none of these factors outweigh the foundational impact of the natural hair color on highlight selection.