Elements and Performance Criteria

Client characteristics may include:
natural hair type, texture, porosity, density and elasticity
natural and/or artificial base colour
hair colour tone
percentage of white hair
presence of lightening agents or artificial hair colour treatments on hair
other existing chemical services
skin tone
length of hair.

Client history may include:
contraindications
previous pre-service analysis
previous services' brand and colour/s selection
previous services' application techniques and processing times
recommended after care products.

Clients may include:
women
men
children
people who present with virgin hair or a range of pre-existing colour treatments on the hair
people from a range of social, cultural or ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Colour, high lift and bleach products must include:
tint products from the workplace range
high lift tint colour products from the workplace range
bleach products from the workplace range
peroxides of varying percentage volumes.

Partial highlighting and foiling tools and equipment must include:
pre-cut and folded foils
tail combs
tint brushes.

Stages and methods of partial head on scalp product application must include:
natural untreated hair
regrowth
roots and then ends
roots, mid lengths and finally ends
ends and then roots.

Foiling must include:
coarse medium or fine woven meshes
spliced meshes
alternated coloured/lightened woven meshes and unwoven natural hair meshes
single or multiple colours and tones
bleached meshes
whole or partial head effects.

Quick service highlighting techniques must include:
pulling strands through a cap
combing/brushing colour or bleach products onto predetermined areas of the hair
colouring/bleaching single strands or meshes.

Client and operator comfort and safety must include:
application of gown and towels to protect client clothes
application of barrier creams to face or neckline areas
application of anti skin stain product
application of colour stain removal product
avoiding contact with client or operator's eyes
avoiding inhalation of fumes whilst mixing product
wearing operator protective gloves during product application.

Relevant legislation may include:
federal, state and local health and hygiene legislation and regulations
occupational health and safety legislation and regulations.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:
client comfort and safety
operator safety
health and hygiene.

Heat acceleration may include:
heat lamps
steamers.

Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit of competency must be able to apply knowledge of the use and application of foiling and quick service highlighting techniques using a defined workplace range of tint, high lift tint and bleach products for a range of colour outcomes on different clients. Knowledge and skill with regard to relevant legislation and workplace procedures that ensure client and operator comfort, health and safety must also be demonstrated.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
knowledge and consistent application of workplace policies, procedures and safe work practices in relation to colour services
consistently applying effective questioning and active listening techniques to consult and negotiate with clients and to ensure client comfort and safety throughout the service
recognising and managing contraindications
reading, accurately interpreting and consistently applying manufacturer's colour charts and product instructions
consistently safe selection, preparation, application, processing and removal of colour and bleach according to manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures
consistently applying weaving and splicing techniques within predetermined workplace timeframes
consistently applying quick service highlighting techniques within designated workplace timeframes
consistently applying client and operator safety precautions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, competency should be consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor and/or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor. The technical expert may include the hairdresser and/or an experienced person at the workplace.
Competency should be demonstrated in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Competency for this unit should be assessed through access to:

relevant documentation, including occupational health and safety legislation and regulations, workplace policy and procedures manuals and manufacturer's product safety data sheets
a salon or simulated salon environment
a defined tint, high lift tint and bleaching product workplace range along with manufacturer's colour charts and product instructions
foiling tools, materials and equipment
clients with a variety of hair colour, high lift or bleach requirements.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested.

Observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in an actual or simulated work environment, over sufficient time to demonstrate his/her handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:

completing workplace documentation relevant to the analysis of client characteristics prior to tint, high lift colour and bleach treatments
demonstrated client consultation and colour selection prior to service
demonstrated clean and safe application of weaving and splicing single and multi-colour foiled effects within designated workplace timeframes, with no product bleed and to client satisfaction
demonstrated quick service highlighting techniques with no product bleed and to client satisfaction.
Third-party reports from experienced hairdressers.

Guidance information for assessment