Let’s be real — no-shows suck. They cost you time, money, and sanity. In this solo episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, I’m sharing the exact strategy that helped me eliminate no-shows completely for four years straight. It starts with one simple rule: no deposit = no booking.

Here’s what we’re covering in this episode:

• Why no-shows are more than just lost income — they hurt your momentum
• How I introduced a $200 booking fee for new clients (and stuck to it!)
• Why I now charge every client a 30% deposit, even regulars
• How TimelyPay makes this process easy, fair, and automated
• What happened when I got bold with boundaries — and how my dream clients responded
• Why this works whether you’re a freelancer, chair renter, or salon owner

This episode is proudly sponsored by Timely salon software.

🎧 Use my exclusive code KRISTINA50 to get 50% off your first 3 months of Timely when you sign up via my link. Click here.

Listen to episode 198 now to learn more.

📝 Episode show notes here:

👉 https://www.kristinarussell.com.au/198

📲 Follow the host on Instagram @colourkristina

👉 https://www.instagram.com/colourkristina

📩 Questions or training enquiries?

👉Send me a DM on Instagram @colourkristina or email me at hello@kristinarussell.com.au

Hosted by award-winning Hair Colourist & Educator, Kristina Russell.

Tired of chasing no-shows, sending endless reminders, or feeling awkward about taking payments?

In this episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers, we’re diving into how Timely salon software can help you streamline your bookings, set up deposit systems, and get paid with confidence, without adding more to your plate.

I’m joined by Sherri Ponisi, ANZ Partnerships Account Executive at Timely, who brings 20+ years of industry experience and deep insight into what hairdressers really need from their software. Sherri started behind the chair, managed busy salons, and now supports salon professionals with tech that actually works.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Timely salon software.

Here’s what we’re covering in this episode:

• Why 65% of new clients now book online — and how to make that work for you

• How to stop no-shows with deposit policies and automation

• What TimelyPay can do to simplify in-salon payments (and even save you money)

• Automations that reduce your admin time by hours every week — including rebooking reminders, revisit texts for lapsed clients, Google review requests, and more

🎧 Use my exclusive code KRISTINA50 to get 50% off your first 3 months of Timely when you sign up via my link. Click here.

Listen to episode 197 now to learn more.

📝 Episode show notes here:

👉 https://www.kristinarussell.com.au/197

📲 Follow the host on Instagram @colourkristina

👉 https://www.instagram.com/colourkristina

📩 Questions or training enquiries?

👉Send me a DM on Instagram @colourkristina or email me at hello@kristinarussell.com.au

Hosted by award-winning Hair Colourist & Educator, Kristina Russell.

Have you ever filled a blonde before going darker and ended up with unwanted red tones? You're not alone — most hairdressers are taught to fill with red, regardless of the target level. But here’s the truth: red is not a universal filler, and using it when it’s not needed can lock you into a cycle of toner corrections and dull results.

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most outdated techniques still taught in beauty school: using red as a default filler.
If your goal isn’t a level 5 red or deeper, red is the wrong choice.

We’ll explore:

🎯 Why red lives at level 6 on the lightening scale
🎯 When filling with red creates more problems than it solves
🎯 What undertones to use instead for levels 7, 8, and 9
🎯 How to avoid root glow, muddy results, and forced toner layering

Plus, I’ll walk you through how I approach real in-salon colour corrections using my target-tone filler method, with golds, orange-golds, and neutral browns that match your client’s desired outcome.

This episode is your reminder to formulate with intention, not habit. It’s time to rethink what you were taught and update your colour toolkit for better, brand-free results.

🎟️ Register now for my FREE online class:
Create Predictable Red & Copper Hair Colour WITHOUT The Costly Mistakes & Refunds
Finally, stop the root glow, banding, and freakouts once and for all — and start colouring with confidence.
👉 Click here to save your seat and learn more.

📝 Show notes and episode blog:
👉 https://www.kristinarussell.com.au/196

📲 Follow @colourkristina on Instagram
👉 https://www.instagram.com/colourkristina

📩 Got questions or want to bring me into your salon for training?
Email me at hello@kristinarussell.com.au or send me a DM.

⭐️ Ready to go deeper into formulation and colour correction?
My signature online course Hair Painting for Redheads, is designed to help you confidently customise reds, coppers, and colour corrections using any salon brand.

This episode is for every hairdresser who’s ever been told, “just fill with red.” Let’s end that myth once and for all.

Feeling stuck on social media? Struggling to stand out in a sea of sameness?

In this episode, we're diving into the biggest shifts in digital marketing for the hair industry and how to cut through the noise to grow your dream salon client list. I'm joined by marketing expert and founder of Six Underground Media, Hayley Mears—a former hairdresser who’s been helping salons and beauty brands slay their social media and marketing content game since 2010.

If you're ready to think outside the box, attract your ideal clients, and future-proof your salon business, this episode is a must-listen!

We discuss what's working now, including:

✔️ Prioritising TikTok for organic reach
✔️ Reels + short-form video to boost engagement
✔️ Liking your own comments (yep—it helps!)
✔️ Tailoring content for each platform
✔️ Thinking beyond digital—QR codes, pop-ups + creative collabs are back!

Episode 192 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast is serving up the hottest social media strategies for 2025—perfect for hairdressers, stylists, salon owners, and hair colour queens who want to slay online. Hit play to level up your socials!

🎧 Listen to episode 192 now
📝 Episode show notes here
📲 Follow @colourkristina on Instagram
📩 Questions or in-salon training requests? Send an email to me at hello@kristinarussell.com.au or DM me on Instagram. Let's chat.

🎟️ Book now for my next livestream class:
CODE RED – Principles of Red & Copper Hair Colouring
https://kristinarussell.com.au/codered/

⭐️ Ready to become an expert hair colourist? You'll love my signature online course, Hair Painting for Redheads. Click here to learn more and enrol now.

Wondering if you need to pre-bleach for that Rihanna Red or the deep berry shade SZA rocked at the Super Bowl?

If your clients bring in haircolour inspo pics of deep, cool-toned reds but you’re unsure how to formulate them, this episode is for you. We’ll cover when to pre-lighten, the best undertones to expose, and how to mix red and violet to avoid warmth or dullness. Plus, I’ll share my pro tips on keeping these shades vibrant longer. Let’s get into it!

We’ll talk about:
✔️ When to pre-lighten vs. when to apply colour directly
✔️ How to mix cherry, burgundy & berry reds without dullness
✔️ What glossing techniques and at-home care keep reds from fading too fast

Whether you're lifting dark bases, layering direct dyes, or trying to avoid murky results, this episode of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for Hairdressers is packed with formulas and strategies you can start using today.

🎧 Listen to episode 191 now
📝 Episode show notes here
📲 Follow @colourkristina on Instagram
📩 Questions or in-salon training requests? Send an email to me at hello@kristinarussell.com.au or DM on Instagram. Let's chat.

🎟️ Book now for my next livestream class:
CODE RED – Principles of Red & Copper Hair Colouring
https://kristinarussell.com.au/codered/

⭐️ Ready to become an expert hair colourist? You'll love my signature online course Hair Painting for Redheads. Click here to learn more and enrol now.

Wondering if 40 vol peroxide is safe for on-scalp use?

In this episode of Colour Kristina Talks, we’re busting myths and breaking down exactly when, why, and how to use 40 vol peroxide safely for red and copper hair. If you’ve ever questioned whether 40 vol is too strong or risky, this episode will give you the answers you need.

We’ll cover these three key scenarios where 40 vol is a must-know technique:

✔️ 40 Vol + High-Lift Tint: The perfect solution for achieving peachy, golden, and strawberry blonde tones without bleach.
✔️ Lifting Dark Bases to Copper: How to safely lift levels 3 & 4 to a rich level 7 copper using 40 vol and high-lift tint.
✔️ 40 Vol with Permanent Colour: When and why some permanent colours allow 40 vol for maximum lift—and how to avoid over-processing.

From formulation tips to common mistakes to avoid (like never mixing 40 vol with bleach on the scalp!), this episode is a must-listen for hairdressers who want to master red and copper hair with confidence.

Listen to episode 190 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast for hairdressers, hair stylist, and salon owners to learn how to use 40 vol peroxide on the scalp.

Episode show notes here.

Follow the show host @colourkristina, and if you have questions or in-salon training requests, email us at support@kristinarussell.com.au or send a DM on Instagram.

The Colour Kristina Talks Podcast is hosted by Hair Colourist and Educator, Kristina Russell.

Click here to register now for the livestream class—CODE RED: Principles of Red & Copper Hair Colouring.

This time of year is all about pausing, reflecting, and setting ourselves up for an even brighter year ahead. I love a good roundup episode—it’s the perfect chance to debrief on what worked, what didn’t, and what we’re most grateful for.

For me, 2024 has been a year of “Living Life Colourfully.” From vibrant hair colour transformations to rainbow-themed travels and unforgettable industry moments, there’s so much to celebrate. One of my personal highlights was being a Finalist for the Australian Hair Industry Educator of the Year—a testament to my mission of empowering hairdressers around the world.

In this episode, I’ll guide you through three key themes to inspire your own salon or business debrief:

• 3 Things to Celebrate in 2024
• 3 Things to Be Grateful For
• Setting Goals for a Bright Future in 2025
  
  
  

Whether you’re a solo operator, team leader, or dreaming of your next big move, this episode will help you reflect on your wins, learn from your lessons, and plan your next steps with purpose. So grab a pen, jot down your thoughts, and let’s debrief together!

Plus, I’ll share how my in-person workshops, online education, and salon training programs can help you hit your goals, boost your confidence, and grow your business in the year ahead.

Listen to episode 189 of the Colour Kristina Talks Podcast to learn how to debrief your year like a pro and set yourself up to become a wildly successful hair colourist in 2025.

Episode show notes here.

Follow the show host @colourkristina, and if you have questions or in-salon training requests, email us at support@kristinarussell.com.au or send a DM on Instagram.

To get you into the spirit of the New Year, I’ve curated my top holiday resources to inspire you and encourage you to take action:

Watch my on-demand 60-minute class and learn how to create predictable reds and coppers without costly mistakes.
👉 Register for the Free Class

Avoid root glow on redheads with long regrowth. This guide shares my expert strategies.
👉 Get the Free Guide

Refresh your Instagram with 15 customizable, hair-themed highlight covers.
👉 Get Your Free Icons Here