Not All Color Corrections Are Created Equal
By Evelyn Clubb, Color Correction Specialist at Forma Collective Salon Denver
Color corrections are hands down one of my favorite services to do here at Forma Collective. They’re never the same twice, and that’s what makes them so fulfilling. Every head of hair tells a different story, from years of box dye to a botched bleach job, or even something as simple as toning down a vivid color or bringing copper back to brown.
I love the challenge, the creativity, and the science that go into each transformation. There’s no formula you can copy and paste. It’s all about understanding the hair in front of you and using color theory, chemistry, and intuition to bring it back to life.
The Beauty Behind a Big Transformation
Big transformations are my favorite part of color work. There’s something powerful about helping someone look in the mirror and see themselves in a new light. It’s not just about changing the color; it’s about creating a shift in confidence and self-expression.
Color correction is the perfect balance of science and art. It takes knowledge, patience, and creativity to bring everything together, but when it does, the results are truly transformative.
box dye: the wild card
Box dye is one of the biggest unknowns in color correction, and it’s something I see often here in Denver. It’s easy to grab off the shelf, but it doesn’t always play fair when it’s time to lighten.
The truth is, bleach doesn’t lie. Once lightener touches the hair, every hidden pigment shows up, including uneven bands, leftover warmth, minerals from water, and even old toner. I’ve taken color swatch photos that show just how uneven box dye can lift, even when the hair looked solid before.
That’s why color corrections take time, trust, and patience. You can’t rush chemistry, and that’s something I always remind my clients during their consultations.
Bleach gone too far
Sometimes a color correction starts with repairing the damage from a bleach job that went too far. Maybe it was a DIY moment, maybe it was pushed past what the hair could handle, or maybe it came from uneven highlights or a rushed application that left the hair patchy and fragile.
The photo to the left is a perfect example. You can see the warm splotches, lighter and darker areas that come from inconsistent placement and overprocessing. It’s a common issue when lightener isn’t applied evenly or when the hair has been lifted multiple times without a clear plan. Every section tells a story, and sometimes that story starts with repair before we can move toward transformation.
When that happens, my first goal isn’t to fix the color. It’s to fix the condition. If the hair feels gummy, stretchy, or weak, we pause and rebuild before going lighter again. I use professional treatments to restore strength and elasticity so that when we do lift again, the hair can handle it safely.
Beautiful color doesn’t mean much if the hair beneath it isn’t healthy enough to hold it.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The small shifts matter
Not every correction is dramatic. Sometimes it’s softening a vivid color into something more natural, or taking copper tones back to brunette. These may look simple, but they require the same precision and understanding of tone, porosity, and balance.
That’s the part I love: finding that perfect formula where everything feels cohesive and the color looks effortless. Even the smallest adjustments can make a huge difference in how the hair reflects light and moves.
Honest Consultations Build the Best Results
Every successful color correction starts with an honest consultation. That’s where I learn your hair’s story, what’s been done, what products have been used, and what your goals really are.
It’s never about judgment. It’s about understanding your starting point so I can create a plan that keeps your hair healthy and gets you to your goal safely. I’ll always be transparent about what’s realistic, how long it may take, and what kind of maintenance your new color will need.
Bleach doesn’t lie, and neither do I.
Why I’ll Always Love Color Corrections
Color corrections are where creativity meets chemistry, and that’s my favorite space to be in. I love that no two transformations are ever the same. They challenge me to stay curious, technical, and artistic all at once, and I’m always up for a challenge.
For me, every correction is a collaboration. It’s about taking something that didn’t go right and turning it into something beautiful, healthy, and full of life again. That’s the kind of transformation that keeps me inspired, and it’s why color corrections will always have my heart.
About Evelyn Clubb
Evelyn Clubb is a Denver-based color and cutting specialist at Forma Collective Salon, recognized for their expertise in corrective color, blonding, and transformational services. They are known for their precision and attention to detail, specializing in both cutting and curly hair to create shapes and textures that enhance each client’s natural movement. Evelyn blends a deep understanding of color theory with an artistic and honest approach to help clients achieve healthy, realistic, and beautiful results.
Follow Evelyn on Instagram at @evelynshairclubb for transformations, behind-the-chair stories, and relatable content about salon life, color education, and self-expression. You’ll find inspiration, humor, and an honest look into the creative side of hair artistry.
@evelynshairclubb