SUNDAY Hair Co. · Tape-In Foundation
Module 2 — Colour Matching · Preparation for Fitting

Module 2

Colour Matching

The difference between good and exceptional extensions.

Speaker notes — Colour matching isn’t simply about finding the closest shade. It’s about recreating the natural dimension already present in the client’s hair — or designing something even more beautiful. Great colour matching makes extensions disappear.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Start with the consultation

Before selecting hair, ask yourself

  • What is the client’s natural base?
  • Is the hair coloured or natural?
  • Highlights, balayage or a root melt?
  • Warm, cool or neutral?
  • Seamless match — or added dimension?
Speaker notes — The answers determine your colour plan before you open a single pack.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Match or enhance?

Two professional approaches

Option 1 — Invisible Match

Extensions blend perfectly into existing colour.

  • First-time clients
  • Natural-looking transformations
  • Length and thickness

Option 2 — Enhance

Use extension colours to create depth, brightness and movement.

  • Balayage enhancement
  • Lived-in blondes
  • Luxury dimensional colour
Speaker notes — Agree the approach with the client before ordering hair.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Understanding dimension

Natural hair is rarely one solid colour

Flat colour creates obvious extensions. Dimension creates invisible extensions.

  • Lighter pieces
  • Darker depth
  • Mid-tones
  • Natural shadows
Speaker notes — Train the eye to see variation — then recreate it with SUNDAY shades.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Mixing multiple shades

Don’t limit yourself to one colour

Professional colour matching often uses 2, 3 or even 4 shades. Each Invisible Tape pack uses slim 4 × 0.8 cm tabs — mix shades without creating bulky obvious blocks.

  • 2 shades
  • 3 shades
  • 4 shades
  • Softer, more natural blend that replicates real hair variation.
Speaker notes — Show students how multiple packs create softer transitions than a single solid shade.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Creating pops of colour

More than length and thickness

  • Brightness around the face
  • Extra blonde ribbons
  • Soft lowlights & rich depth
  • Seasonal colour changes — without chemical colour on the client’s own hair
Speaker notes — Extensions can redesign dimension without committing the natural hair to bleach.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Placement

Where should the pops go?

The same colours can create completely different results depending on placement.

  • Where does the client naturally have brightness?
  • Where do I want the eye to travel?
  • Face-framing, through the ends, or hidden underneath for movement?
Speaker notes — Placement is everything — design before you fit.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

The sandwich technique

Dark · Light · Dark

One of the easiest ways to create natural dimension with slim 4 × 0.8 cm tapes.

  • Example: Dark / Light / Dark — or Neutral / Bright / Neutral
  • The brighter shade is softly concealed between surrounding colours
  • It peeks through naturally as the hair moves — seamless, not striped
Speaker notes — Demonstrate with three physical packs if available in class.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Designing the colour map

Treat every head like a personalised colour design

  • Which colours sit at the nape?
  • Which belong through the sides?
  • Where should the brightest shades go?
  • Where do I need depth?
Speaker notes — Never apply colours randomly — map first, then fit.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Common mistakes

Avoid these colour matching errors

  • Choosing one colour only
  • Ignoring natural depth / forgetting the root area
  • Placing bright colours randomly
  • Matching under artificial lighting only
  • Not checking the blend after fitting
Speaker notes — Always assess colour in natural daylight whenever possible.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Key takeaway

Colour matching is design — not just selection

Make them disappear

Understand goals · recreate dimension · mix shades · place thoughtfully · create movement. The best extension work isn’t recognised by the extensions — it’s recognised by how naturally they disappear.

Speaker notes — Transition into preparation for fitting — clean hair is non-negotiable.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Preparation for fitting

Why shampoo choice matters

A clean foundation = strong tape adhesion.

  • Tape adhesive bonds best to clean, residue-free hair.
  • Oils, silicones, conditioning agents or build-up reduce adhesion and shorten lifespan.
  • The quality of your preparation directly affects the quality of your application.
Speaker notes — Reset the room: this is the bridge between colour planning and fitting.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Preparation

What you’re trying to remove

  • Natural oils (sebum)
  • Dry shampoo & styling products
  • Silicones & leave-in conditioners
  • Hair oils, heavy masks
  • Mineral and environmental build-up
Speaker notes — If it’s slippery or coated — it isn’t ready for tape.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Recommended clarifying shampoo

Professional option from the SUNDAY retail range

Joico K-PAK — excellent professional cleansing before tape fitting. Use a clarifying shampoo from the K-PAK range so the root zone is residue-free.

  • Joico K-PAK Clarifying / deep-cleanse protocol before fitting
  • Stocked on sundayhair.co in the Joico K-PAK Colour Therapy range for salon retail
Speaker notes — Hold up the bottle in class. Stress clarifying — not a moisturising wash.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

Washing protocol

Six non-negotiable steps

  • 1. Shampoo twice with a clarifying shampoo.
  • 2. Rinse thoroughly.
  • 3. Do not apply conditioner or a hair mask.
  • 4. Do not use leave-in products.
  • 5. Blow-dry completely until 100% dry.
  • 6. Roots must feel clean and “squeaky” before fitting.
Speaker notes — Demo the squeaky-root check on a mannequin or volunteer.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm

What to avoid

Never use before fitting

  • Conditioner · hair masks · leave-in conditioner
  • Hair oils · heat protectants · serums
  • Smoothing creams · shine sprays
  • Even a small amount around the root area can compromise the tape bond.
Speaker notes — End module ready for application technique.

Invisible Tape shown at true proportion — 4 × 0.8 cm