4 answers
mikayla
Student
Peoria, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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What job is only coloring hair and mixing colors?
what job is where you only color hair and mix colors?
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4 answers
Suraayah Hunter
Independent Consultant
52
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Suraayah’s Answer
Mikayla, the role you are describing has a specific title and a career path with vast opportunities - and you are in a great position to begin exploring it right now.
The Licensing Foundation
In Arizona, a cosmetology license is the required entry point for any professional color work. The Arizona State Board of Cosmetology requires 1,600 hours of accredited cosmetology training before licensure (Arizona State Board of Cosmetology, 2023). Color specialization builds on top of that license - it is not a separate credential. Enrollment requires a minimum age of 16, so if you are still working toward that, this is your exploration and preparation phase.
If you are currently in high school, Arizona's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program offers cosmetology tracks at no cost through participating schools (Arizona Department of Education, 2023). That is a significant head start worth investigating immediately. Arizona also permits a licensed cosmetologist apprenticeship pathway as an alternative to traditional school enrollment, offering hands-on training under a supervising licensee.
Start Building Now
You do not need a license to begin learning the environment. Many salons hire assistants and receptionists with no prior experience. Working in a salon now puts you alongside working colorists daily, builds relationships that lead to mentorship, and gives you a real picture of how the business operates before you ever hold a license. That early exposure accelerates everything that follows.
The Role You Are Describing
A hair colorist specializes exclusively in color services - formulation, application, correction, and consultation. Within that specialty, a color technician focuses on the technical mixing and application side, often working under a lead colorist or color director in a salon or editorial setting. Both roles exist as standalone careers, and both reward deep technical knowledge over time.
How Peoria, Arizona Places You
The Phoenix metro area - which includes Peoria - supports a strong salon market with consistent demand for color specialists. The client base skews toward balayage, highlights, and color correction, which are among the highest-compensated services in the industry. The market rewards specialists who build a documented portfolio and a loyal clientele early.
Career Pathways Worth Knowing
The colorist career branches in several directions:
- Salon colorist - builds a private clientele, earns commission or booth rental income
- Color director - leads color education and standards within a multi-stylist salon
- Session colorist - works editorial, runway, film, and television; project-based and highly compensated
- Platform artist - represents color brands at trade shows and education events; often salaried plus travel
- Color educator - teaches for beauty schools or directly for product manufacturers like Wella, Redken, or Schwarzkopf
- Product development consultant - works on the back end with companies that formulate color lines, advising on performance, application, and market fit
Salary Range
Entry-level colorists in Arizona typically earn between $30,000 and $45,000 annually. Established colorists with a strong book earn $60,000 to $90,000. Colorists who specialize in correction work, extensions, or wig color customization routinely exceed $100,000, particularly in markets where clients travel for the service (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).
Working Under a Color Director
Starting under an experienced color director accelerates technical development significantly. A color director teaches formulation depth - understanding undertones, porosity, color theory application across different hair textures, and how to read a correction case before touching the hair. That foundation separates technicians who plateau from colorists who build lasting reputations.
Natural vs. Synthetic Color Lines
Understanding the chemistry behind color products opens doors beyond the salon chair. Natural and ammonia-free lines like Aveda, Organic Color Systems, and Natulique behave differently from traditional oxidative color lines. A colorist who understands both - including developer volumes, lift capacity, and deposit behavior across textures - becomes valuable to product companies, educators, and high-end salons that serve chemically sensitive clients.
Allergies and Contraindications
This area of knowledge distinguishes a technician from a true professional. Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is the most common allergen in permanent hair color and causes reactions ranging from mild scalp irritation to severe anaphylaxis (American Contact Dermatitis Society, 2021). A competent colorist conducts patch tests, takes a thorough client history, and understands which product lines offer PPD-free formulations. Clients with psoriasis, eczema, compromised scalp conditions, or recent chemical services require modified approaches. Building this knowledge early establishes the kind of professional trust that sustains a long career.
All Hair Types and Wigs
Colorists who work across all hair textures - including natural, chemically relaxed, locs, and wig and extension color - access a significantly larger client base. Wig color customization is a growing specialty with strong demand across bridal, theatrical, film, and medical hair loss markets. Custom wig color commands premium pricing and often operates outside the traditional salon model entirely.
Giving Back Through Color - Cancer Patients and Wig Services
One of the most meaningful applications of color expertise is serving cancer patients experiencing hair loss. Locks of Love (locksoflove.org) serves children ages 6 to 21 experiencing medical hair loss, and Wigs for Kids (wigsforkids.org) provides custom hair systems to children facing cancer, alopecia, and other conditions - both organizations actively partner with licensed cosmetologists who specialize in color and wig customization (Locks of Love, 2023; Wigs for Kids, 2023). A colorist who trains in oncology-sensitive hair services - understanding scalp sensitivity during and after chemotherapy, hypoallergenic color formulations, and custom wig fitting and coloring - builds both a specialized skill set and a deeply meaningful practice. Many hospitals, cancer centers, and nonprofit organizations across Arizona contract with or refer clients to licensed specialists in this area. This work pays professionally and serves a population that carries profound need.
Entrepreneurial Path
A colorist building toward ownership has several structures available:
- Booth rental - low overhead, full autonomy, immediate income control
- Suite ownership - private studio model, builds brand identity and premium pricing
- Mobile colorist - serves clients on location; strong fit for bridal, editorial, and high-net-worth clientele
- Product line development - colorists with deep formulation knowledge have launched independent color lines
- Education business - online and in-person color education generates income independent of chair time
Working Part-Time with Color Companies
Color manufacturers actively recruit working colorists as brand educators, regional trainers, and platform artists. These roles typically require a minimum number of years behind the chair and a demonstrated specialty. Companies like Redken, Wella Professionals, L'Oréal Professionnel, and Kenra compensate educators with salary, product allowances, and full travel coverage. This work runs alongside an active salon career and builds national visibility.
The Bigger Picture
Mikayla, the colorist who understands formulation chemistry, works confidently across all hair types and textures, builds client trust through contraindication awareness, and positions herself entrepreneurially from the beginning builds a career with exceptional longevity and earning power. Peoria gives you a solid starting market. The specialty itself gives you a path that scales as far as your ambition takes it.
- Dr. Hunter
References
American Contact Dermatitis Society. (2021). PPD allergy and hair dye reactions: Clinical guidance for practitioners. ACDS. https://www.contactderm.org
Arizona Department of Education. (2023). Career and technical education: Cosmetology pathway. ADE. https://www.azed.gov/cte
Arizona State Board of Cosmetology. (2023). Cosmetology licensing requirements. ASBC. https://www.azbeauty.gov
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational outlook handbook: Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairstylists-and-cosmetologists.htm
Locks of Love. (2023). About our program. https://www.locksoflove.org
Wigs for Kids. (2023). Our mission and program. https://www.wigsforkids.org
1. Visit azbeauty.gov and review licensing requirements.
2. Find the nearest accredited cosmetology school in Peoria/Phoenix and request a tour.
3. Walk into two or three local salons and ask about assistant or receptionist openings.
4. Watch 30 minutes of beginner color theory on YouTube daily.
5. Visit locksoflove.org and wigsforkids.org to explore volunteer and partnership opportunities in your area.
The Licensing Foundation
In Arizona, a cosmetology license is the required entry point for any professional color work. The Arizona State Board of Cosmetology requires 1,600 hours of accredited cosmetology training before licensure (Arizona State Board of Cosmetology, 2023). Color specialization builds on top of that license - it is not a separate credential. Enrollment requires a minimum age of 16, so if you are still working toward that, this is your exploration and preparation phase.
If you are currently in high school, Arizona's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program offers cosmetology tracks at no cost through participating schools (Arizona Department of Education, 2023). That is a significant head start worth investigating immediately. Arizona also permits a licensed cosmetologist apprenticeship pathway as an alternative to traditional school enrollment, offering hands-on training under a supervising licensee.
Start Building Now
You do not need a license to begin learning the environment. Many salons hire assistants and receptionists with no prior experience. Working in a salon now puts you alongside working colorists daily, builds relationships that lead to mentorship, and gives you a real picture of how the business operates before you ever hold a license. That early exposure accelerates everything that follows.
The Role You Are Describing
A hair colorist specializes exclusively in color services - formulation, application, correction, and consultation. Within that specialty, a color technician focuses on the technical mixing and application side, often working under a lead colorist or color director in a salon or editorial setting. Both roles exist as standalone careers, and both reward deep technical knowledge over time.
How Peoria, Arizona Places You
The Phoenix metro area - which includes Peoria - supports a strong salon market with consistent demand for color specialists. The client base skews toward balayage, highlights, and color correction, which are among the highest-compensated services in the industry. The market rewards specialists who build a documented portfolio and a loyal clientele early.
Career Pathways Worth Knowing
The colorist career branches in several directions:
- Salon colorist - builds a private clientele, earns commission or booth rental income
- Color director - leads color education and standards within a multi-stylist salon
- Session colorist - works editorial, runway, film, and television; project-based and highly compensated
- Platform artist - represents color brands at trade shows and education events; often salaried plus travel
- Color educator - teaches for beauty schools or directly for product manufacturers like Wella, Redken, or Schwarzkopf
- Product development consultant - works on the back end with companies that formulate color lines, advising on performance, application, and market fit
Salary Range
Entry-level colorists in Arizona typically earn between $30,000 and $45,000 annually. Established colorists with a strong book earn $60,000 to $90,000. Colorists who specialize in correction work, extensions, or wig color customization routinely exceed $100,000, particularly in markets where clients travel for the service (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).
Working Under a Color Director
Starting under an experienced color director accelerates technical development significantly. A color director teaches formulation depth - understanding undertones, porosity, color theory application across different hair textures, and how to read a correction case before touching the hair. That foundation separates technicians who plateau from colorists who build lasting reputations.
Natural vs. Synthetic Color Lines
Understanding the chemistry behind color products opens doors beyond the salon chair. Natural and ammonia-free lines like Aveda, Organic Color Systems, and Natulique behave differently from traditional oxidative color lines. A colorist who understands both - including developer volumes, lift capacity, and deposit behavior across textures - becomes valuable to product companies, educators, and high-end salons that serve chemically sensitive clients.
Allergies and Contraindications
This area of knowledge distinguishes a technician from a true professional. Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is the most common allergen in permanent hair color and causes reactions ranging from mild scalp irritation to severe anaphylaxis (American Contact Dermatitis Society, 2021). A competent colorist conducts patch tests, takes a thorough client history, and understands which product lines offer PPD-free formulations. Clients with psoriasis, eczema, compromised scalp conditions, or recent chemical services require modified approaches. Building this knowledge early establishes the kind of professional trust that sustains a long career.
All Hair Types and Wigs
Colorists who work across all hair textures - including natural, chemically relaxed, locs, and wig and extension color - access a significantly larger client base. Wig color customization is a growing specialty with strong demand across bridal, theatrical, film, and medical hair loss markets. Custom wig color commands premium pricing and often operates outside the traditional salon model entirely.
Giving Back Through Color - Cancer Patients and Wig Services
One of the most meaningful applications of color expertise is serving cancer patients experiencing hair loss. Locks of Love (locksoflove.org) serves children ages 6 to 21 experiencing medical hair loss, and Wigs for Kids (wigsforkids.org) provides custom hair systems to children facing cancer, alopecia, and other conditions - both organizations actively partner with licensed cosmetologists who specialize in color and wig customization (Locks of Love, 2023; Wigs for Kids, 2023). A colorist who trains in oncology-sensitive hair services - understanding scalp sensitivity during and after chemotherapy, hypoallergenic color formulations, and custom wig fitting and coloring - builds both a specialized skill set and a deeply meaningful practice. Many hospitals, cancer centers, and nonprofit organizations across Arizona contract with or refer clients to licensed specialists in this area. This work pays professionally and serves a population that carries profound need.
Entrepreneurial Path
A colorist building toward ownership has several structures available:
- Booth rental - low overhead, full autonomy, immediate income control
- Suite ownership - private studio model, builds brand identity and premium pricing
- Mobile colorist - serves clients on location; strong fit for bridal, editorial, and high-net-worth clientele
- Product line development - colorists with deep formulation knowledge have launched independent color lines
- Education business - online and in-person color education generates income independent of chair time
Working Part-Time with Color Companies
Color manufacturers actively recruit working colorists as brand educators, regional trainers, and platform artists. These roles typically require a minimum number of years behind the chair and a demonstrated specialty. Companies like Redken, Wella Professionals, L'Oréal Professionnel, and Kenra compensate educators with salary, product allowances, and full travel coverage. This work runs alongside an active salon career and builds national visibility.
The Bigger Picture
Mikayla, the colorist who understands formulation chemistry, works confidently across all hair types and textures, builds client trust through contraindication awareness, and positions herself entrepreneurially from the beginning builds a career with exceptional longevity and earning power. Peoria gives you a solid starting market. The specialty itself gives you a path that scales as far as your ambition takes it.
- Dr. Hunter
References
American Contact Dermatitis Society. (2021). PPD allergy and hair dye reactions: Clinical guidance for practitioners. ACDS. https://www.contactderm.org
Arizona Department of Education. (2023). Career and technical education: Cosmetology pathway. ADE. https://www.azed.gov/cte
Arizona State Board of Cosmetology. (2023). Cosmetology licensing requirements. ASBC. https://www.azbeauty.gov
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational outlook handbook: Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairstylists-and-cosmetologists.htm
Locks of Love. (2023). About our program. https://www.locksoflove.org
Wigs for Kids. (2023). Our mission and program. https://www.wigsforkids.org
Suraayah recommends the following next steps:
Sijoy Sagar
Program Manager
63
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sijoy’s Answer
Hi Mikayla,
Your question is fantastic, and it's great to see you thinking about work you will enjoy. In the beauty world, if you love coloring and mixing colors, becoming a Hair Color Specialist or Colorist might be the perfect fit for you.
Here's what you would do:
A Hair Color Specialist focuses on coloring techniques like highlights, balayage, and full color changes.
Their main job is to mix colors, apply them just right, and create unique looks for clients.
While some hairstylists also cut and style, colorists often concentrate solely on the art of coloring.
If you love the idea of blending shades and designing looks, this could be a wonderful path for you. Many salons have experts who only do color, and some people even build their whole career around it.
As you explore, consider:
1. Joining cosmetology programs with advanced hair coloring classes.
2. Shadowing or chatting with a local stylist or colorist to see what their daily work is like.
3. Being creative in other areas like fashion, art, or design, since these skills can be valuable in hair coloring.
It's exciting to see you explore careers that match your passions. Keep looking, and you will find the right path for you. All the very Best.
Your question is fantastic, and it's great to see you thinking about work you will enjoy. In the beauty world, if you love coloring and mixing colors, becoming a Hair Color Specialist or Colorist might be the perfect fit for you.
Here's what you would do:
A Hair Color Specialist focuses on coloring techniques like highlights, balayage, and full color changes.
Their main job is to mix colors, apply them just right, and create unique looks for clients.
While some hairstylists also cut and style, colorists often concentrate solely on the art of coloring.
If you love the idea of blending shades and designing looks, this could be a wonderful path for you. Many salons have experts who only do color, and some people even build their whole career around it.
As you explore, consider:
1. Joining cosmetology programs with advanced hair coloring classes.
2. Shadowing or chatting with a local stylist or colorist to see what their daily work is like.
3. Being creative in other areas like fashion, art, or design, since these skills can be valuable in hair coloring.
It's exciting to see you explore careers that match your passions. Keep looking, and you will find the right path for you. All the very Best.
Franny Buzimkich
Executive Concierge
43
Answers
Wolcott, Connecticut
Updated
Franny’s Answer
Hello Mikayla,
If you want a job focused primarily on mixing hair color and coloring hair, the closest career is a Hair Colorist (also called a Hair Color Specialist). According to career and job listings, hair color specialists focus on:
Mixing custom hair color formulas
Applying hair color, highlights, balayage, and color corrections
Understanding color theory and hair chemistry
Consulting clients on the best color choices
Keep in mind that even specialized colorists usually do some client consultation and styling, but they spend most of their time working with hair color rather than cutting hair.
If you're still in high school and this interests you, consider:
Taking art classes (to develop an eye for color).
Learning basic color theory.
Exploring cosmetology programs after high school.
Looking for opportunities to shadow a salon colorist.
A Hair Color Specialist/Colorist is probably the closest job to "only coloring hair and mixing colors."
If you want a job focused primarily on mixing hair color and coloring hair, the closest career is a Hair Colorist (also called a Hair Color Specialist). According to career and job listings, hair color specialists focus on:
Mixing custom hair color formulas
Applying hair color, highlights, balayage, and color corrections
Understanding color theory and hair chemistry
Consulting clients on the best color choices
Keep in mind that even specialized colorists usually do some client consultation and styling, but they spend most of their time working with hair color rather than cutting hair.
If you're still in high school and this interests you, consider:
Taking art classes (to develop an eye for color).
Learning basic color theory.
Exploring cosmetology programs after high school.
Looking for opportunities to shadow a salon colorist.
A Hair Color Specialist/Colorist is probably the closest job to "only coloring hair and mixing colors."
Carly Murphy
Recruiting
4
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Carly’s Answer
I agree with the answers above! It may also be helpful to stop into some local beauty salons and ask if they need an assistant. The salon I go to has promoted from receptionist and worked their way up to their own chair! I love the salon- great environment! Good luck!