Case Files
The CSI Blog
Diagnostic colour thinking, written for working stylists. Short, sharp, salon-relevant.
The Canvas Comes First. Always.
Most colour mistakes are decided before you mix the bowl. Here is why reading the canvas is the only place to start.
14 May 2026
Residue is the Real Villain
Direct dye, toner stain, mineral build-up. The stuff sitting on the hair is sabotaging your lift before you even open the developer.
2 May 2026
Why Strand Tests Save Careers
A strand test is not extra work. It is the cheapest insurance policy in the salon.
21 April 2026
Stop Apologising at the Backwash
If you feel sick rinsing a colour, your process broke somewhere upstream. Here is how to stop the panic.
8 April 2026
The Toner Trap
Throwing ash at orange will not save you. Toner logic is a science, not a hope.
26 March 2026
Consultation is a Contract
Lead the room. Set the boundary. Get paid for the service you actually deliver.
12 March 2026