Understanding Custom Colour Designs

A Professional Guide for Gold Class Partner Salons

Creating truly bespoke hair extensions begins with colour. While stock shades serve many clients beautifully, custom colour design allows salons to achieve a level of precision and harmony that simply cannot be replicated with off-the -shelf options.

This guide has been created to help Gold Class partner salons understand how custom colour orders are specified, interpreted, and produced, ensuring every bespoke order reflects your client's individual hair journey.

Custom colour orders rely on professional colour referencing, clear communication, and shared terminology.

For this reason, all bespoke colour work is specified using a physical Gold Class colour ring.

(Screen images, photography, and digital swatches may support the process visually, but they should never replace physical shades references when placing an order).

Colour References: The Foundation of Bespoke Orders

Every custom colour begins with a shade number code taken directly from the Gold Class colour ring.

When ordering bespoke hair, it is essential to reference the exact shade and codes required, rather than descriptive language alone.

Where a single shade is used, this process is straightforward. However, when two or more colours are involved, salons must also specify the proportion of each shade. This allows the hair to be blended consistently and ensures the finished result reflects the intended balance of tones.

For example, a request for a lighter blonde with softness and dimension might be specified as 75% of one shade and 25% of another. This level of detail ensures the hair to be created with precision rather than interpretation,

Single Colour Designs

A single colour design uses one shade throughout the entire extension, from root to tip. This option is most appropriate when a uniform, solid result is required and no visible dimension or tonal variation is desired.

Single colour extensions are commonly used for clients with naturally even hair colour, or when extensions are being layered into an existing colour that already contains dimension from the client's own hair. Because no blending is involved, accuracy depends entirely on selecting the correct shade from the colour ring.

Blended Colour Designs

Full Blend

A full blend refers to two or more colours being evenly distributed throughout the extension. The colours are mixed from top to bottom, creating a seamless and balanced result with no obvious separation between tones.

This option is particularly effective for lighter shades, dimensional blondes, and clients who prefer a refined, natural finish.

When specifying a full blend, salons must clearly state the percentage of each shade used. Even small variations in proportion can significantly affect the final tone, so accuracy is essential.

Partial Blend

A partial blend introduces multiple shades, but with less uniform distribution than a full blend. Rather than being evenly mixed throughout, the colours may appear in subtle ribbons or areas of contrast. This creates visible dimension while still maintaining cohesion within the overall colour.

Partial blends are ideal when a client wants variation without committing to a rooted or ombré effect.

Because placement plays a greater role in the finished look, clear written notes are strongly recommended when ordering this option.

Rooted Colour Designs

Rooted colour designs incorporate a darker shade at the root area of the extension, transitioning into lighter lengths. This approach is commonly used to replicate natural regrowth, create depth at the scalp, or support low maintenance colour journeys.

When ordering any custom rooted design, salons must specify not only the root colour itself, but also the length of the root and the nature of transition into the body colour.

Rooted

A rooted design features a defined root shade with a clear transition into the main colour. The fade between root and lengths is relatively short and more structured. This option is ideal when a distinct root presence is desired.

Root length should always be measured in inches and clearly stated when ordering. Without this information, the finished result may not align with expectations.

Rooted Full Blend (Mix)

A rooted full blend offers a softer, more diffused transition between the root and the lengths. Rather than a clear line of demarcation, the root shade gradually blends into the lighter colours, creating a seamless and lived in effect.

This option is particularly popular for modern blondes and clients seeking a natural, low contrast finish.

As with all blends, percentages and shade codes should be clearly defined to ensure consistency.

Rooted Partial Blend (Side-by-side)

A rooted partial blend combines a defined root with visible colour variation through the lengths. Instead of fully blending the colours together, different shades run alongside one another, creating enhanced dimension and visual interest.

This is an enhanced colour option and requires detailed notes from the salon to communicate the desired effect. It is best suited to experienced colourists who are comfortable specifying nuanced placement and tonal relationships.

Root Lengths and Fade Transitions

Root length plays a critical role in how a rooted extension appears once fitted. Short roots tend to create a more structured look, while longer roots and extended fades offer a softer, more contemporary aesthetic.

As a general guideline, roots may range from approximately one to two inches for a subtle effect, through to four inches or longer, blended transition. Fade length refers to how gradually the root colour merges into the body colour, and should be noted where relevant.

If there is any uncertainty, reference imagery alongside written instructions can help clarify expectations.

Grey and Speciality Blends

Grey blending follows the same principles as standard blending but requires additional precision. When ordering grey blends, salons must specify the percentage of grey used, along with the supporting base shade. This ensures controlled coverage and consistent tone.

Grey blends may range from subtle inclusion to higher percentages depending on the client's natural hair and desired result. Clear communication at the order stage is essential, as small changes in proportion can significantly affect the overall appearance.

Writing Effect Colour Notes

The written notes sections of a custom order is an opportunity to communicate nuances that dropdown sections alone cannot capture.

Clear, concise notes help reduce delays and minimise order delays, and the need for clarification. When combined with accurate shade codes, they allow the production process to run smoothly and efficiently.

Final Considerations for Custom Colour Orders

This guide supports Gold Class partner salons placing bespoke requests through our Custom Orders service.

Custom colour extensions are created specifically to order and are therefore non-refundable once approved. Taking the time to specify colour accurately at the enquiry stage is essential to achieving the desired result.

Gold Class bespoke colour services exist to support professional creativity and deliver exceptional results.

Precision, clarity, and thoughtful communication are the foundation of every successful custom order.

---

At Gold Class, bespoke colour design is available across our full professional extension range. Custom colour orders can be placed for pre-bonded hair extensions, micro rings extensions, and hand-tied wefts, in a selection of textures and lengths.

This allows professional salons to achieve seamless, tailored results while working with their preferred application method and specification.

Explore Custom Orders