Stepping outside your comfort zone takes guts. However, each step makes you a better stylist.

Nikki Booth, Sunlights Educator, is full of great advice, gathered through the courage to step out at an early age and take risks to grow, which is why we’ve selected her as Premier Beauty’s July Educator of the Month.

What do you want stylists to know about hair color?

“Color is only what it’s next to,” she said.

If a client is too solid blonde without enough dimension, they won’t have a gauge to measure how blonde they are. They’ll see their hair as blonder if they have darker pieces that contrast the lighter strands. Hair color is relative.

“Less is more. Be efficient and put color where you need it.”

Instead of saturating the entire head and damaging the hair when it isn’t needed, lighten only the pieces (i.e. the face-framing pieces) that will add a wow factor to the client’s overall look.

What do you want stylists to know about balayage, specifically?

“You have to unlearn everything. Balayage is a completely different animal. Instead of saturating the hair, we’re painting the planes, or surfaces of the hair. It’s funny because the first timers tend to be the students that pick up on it right away, as they have fewer old habits to break through.”

The process of balayage also can be less damaging to the hair than foiling, she said, as it is less likely to unnecessarily overlap into previously lightened hair. Healthier hair means more beautiful color, happier customers, and more longevity for your clientele.

What’s your advice for stylists?

“Use social media to build your brand and attract customers.”

Don’t post just to post; be mindful of your content. By advertising the types of services you'd like to do more of, you can hone your new clientele. If you want to do more fantasy colors, post more vivid hair color makeovers to social media. Booth uses Instagram to branch out and push her creative boundaries, which gives her a chance to grow her skill set and also reaches new and larger audiences.

“Stay consistent with your social media. It takes a good 10 to 15 minutes to make a post, but it’s worth it. It’s helped me me blossom young in my career.”

What’s your advice for aspiring educators?

“Start educating early. The younger you are, the more you’ll have a pulse on younger students and the industry...and I want to be in the industry ‘til I die.”