It’s not about knowing everything. It’s about understanding what you’re doing – and why.
There’s a common belief that experts are people who have all the answers. But in reality, it’s not about perfection – it’s about depth. Becoming an expert doesn’t just take years in the industry. It takes curiosity. Self-awareness. And the courage to question what you think you already know.
Standing behind the chair for 10, 20 or even 30 years isn’t the same as being an expert. You might have repeated the same technique for decades – without ever truly understanding why it works (or doesn’t).
My motivation behind creating Become A Better Colorist was exactly that: helping hairdressers move from skilled to deeply knowledgeable. From what to why.
1. Start with why
Many people learn what to do. But those who ask why are the ones who grow the fastest.
Why does the color turn out too warm?
Why does a formula work on some hair – but not on others?
Why doesn’t the color cover, even when you’ve done “everything right”?
These are the questions we face as colorists. When you learn to look beyond the result – to connect theory to practice – you start making your own decisions, instead of following someone else’s formula.
And that’s exactly where Become A Better Colorist comes in.
We don’t just train techniques – we train how to think. How to analyze, predict, and take control of color. That’s when real confidence begins.
2. Mistakes aren’t failures – they’re part of becoming an expert
I made plenty of mistakes early in my career. Colors turned out wrong, coverage failed, tones came out completely different than expected.
For a long time, I thought it was the product that didn’t work. But eventually I realized – it wasn’t the color that failed me. It was my knowledge that was lacking.
That’s when I made a decision: I was going to become one of the best at hair color.
So, I started analyzing every mistake. I wanted to understand what went wrong, why it happened, and how I could do it differently next time.
Over time, the mistakes became fewer. But what really took me to the next level was when I began analyzing the results that turned out great too.
That’s when I truly started to understand the patterns – not just that it worked, but why it worked.
That’s when the real expertise started to grow. In every reflection. Every question. And every honest evaluation of my own work.
Want to follow the same path? Start here:
- Write down your mistakes right after each color service – while it’s still fresh
- Ask yourself: What could I have done differently?
- Analyze what went well – and what contributed to the good result
- Be honest – this isn’t about being perfect, it’s about growing
- Treat every service as a learning moment, not just a task
3. Following isn’t the same as understanding
Today, it’s easy to believe that expertise is just a click away.
Thousands of tutorials, pre-made formulas, and quick tips on TikTok and Instagram. It’s inspiring, accessible – but there’s a risk in simply following.
What you learn from copying someone else’s method – without understanding the reasoning – will only take you so far.
It might look great in your feed. But will it work in real life?
On your client, with her hair history, her starting point, your products, and your environment?
Following is not the same as learning.
It’s easy to become dependent on ready-made formulas and popular techniques. But what works for someone else won’t always work in your chair. And when it doesn’t, you need something deeper to rely on – your own knowledge base.
That’s what we build in Become A Better Colorist: deep expertise – not just surface-level instructions.
What makes you an expert is understanding why it works.
What happens in the hair.
What happens in the color.
And what happens in the meeting between the two.
And that requires something more.
Courage. Curiosity. And sometimes a bit of frustration.
The kind of frustration that comes when things don’t go as expected – but when handled right, becomes the beginning of a new mindset. A new level of depth in your craft. A new level of professionalism.
Take a moment to reflect:
- Do you rely on techniques just because they “usually work”?
- Do you use the same formulas on most clients, regardless of hair type or goals?
- Have you asked yourself: Why does this actually work? Or have you stopped asking?
Growth starts the moment you begin to ask better questions.
4. Dare to think beyond the brand
A turning point in my own journey came when I started questioning what I had learned from different brands.
As much as I appreciated certain products, I realized that each brand teaches its version of the truth.
And sometimes, two brands say completely different things – about the same chemical process.
That’s when I started to understand the value of product-neutral knowledge.
But what does that really mean?
Being product-neutral means your knowledge isn’t tied to any specific brand.
It’s independent, objective, and can be applied no matter what color line you’re working with.
You don’t just learn “mix this tube with this developer.” You learn why it works – so you can apply it across any brand.
Product-neutral knowledge makes you freer, more confident – and more professional.
Because you don’t rely on someone else telling you what works. You know it yourself.
When you understand color chemistry, pigment behavior, hair structure and chemical reactions – you make better decisions.
You move from being a brand user to becoming a true colorist.
Want to test if you’re still brand-dependent in your thinking? Ask yourself:
- Would I feel unsure if I had to switch brands tomorrow?
- Can I explain why I choose a certain shade or developer – beyond “this usually works”?
- Do I actually understand the product I’m using – or am I just following instructions?
If you can confidently say “yes” to: I’d be fine no matter what brand I use – then you’re standing on solid, product-neutral ground.
And that’s where true expertise begins.
5. Education makes a difference – if you use it right
Many people take courses for inspiration. And that’s great.
But the ones who grow the most are the ones who apply what they’ve learned.
I often say: the most important thing you do after a course is to come home and try something different.
Test what you’ve learned. Be bold. Reflect.
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get the same results.
Here are three simple questions to ask after each color service:
- What did I choose – and why?
- What was the result – and what made it happen?
- What would I do differently next time?
These questions make you better every day.
And that’s one of the keys to becoming a true expert.
6. Expertise is perishable – keep it fresh
Thinking you’re “done” as a hairdresser is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Products evolve. Trends shift. Hair conditions change. And clients change too.
That’s why the BABC system is built in multiple levels:
- Essentials Edition – where we build the foundation
- Premium Edition – where we add new knowledge each year, based on deeper needs and current challenges
You don’t just get education – you get a structure that helps you stay updated over time.
Because a true expert is never done. A true expert is always curious.
Want to be the best? Then you need to learn from the best.
Think you can become an expert through TikTok and YouTube?
Then you also need to be critical of who’s doing the teaching.
Where did they get their knowledge – and how reliable is it?
You can never become better than the person you’re learning from.
7. What does it mean to be an expert – in your everyday work?
Expertise isn’t a title. It’s a mindset.
You’ll notice it when:
- You stop guessing – and start predicting
- You dare to say no to a service you know won’t turn out well
- You can explain to your client why something will or won’t work
- You create your own formulas – and know exactly why they work
You don’t have to know everything.
But you do need to understand what you’re doing.
And when you do – you’ll feel it: the confidence. The calm. The pride.
Your knowledge is your power
As a hairdresser, your knowledge is your superpower.
It’s what allows you to charge more. Build loyal clients. Earn respect.
And it’s what gives you confidence – even when the hair in your chair is damaged, colored at home, bleached or unpredictable.
My vision with Become A Better Colorist is to revolutionize how we see color education.
To move away from surface, trends and “influencer color” – and back to the foundation.
To the science. To the craft. To the understanding.
Because that’s where expertise begins.
/ Camilla Rörstrand