Our Colour Responsibility Policy

At Halo Westcliff, we take our responsibility for skin testing extremely seriously. Understanding our Colour Responsibility Policy expresses how serious we take it while giving you, our clients, peace of mind in how we operate.
 
From March 2021, you will have the option of a Colourstart Passport 

Whether your a current client of Halo or a new customer, we always test your sensitivity to our hair and beauty products. As of March 2021, we will be aligning with the MHRA Approved method and will require you to have a Colourstart Passport. You can read the Government Announcement here. This allows you to record your allergy tests, store the results on your profile and if desired, transfer this test result to other salons, therefore, preventing you from the need to take a new test before each new treatment or visit to a new salon. If you are a client who frequently changes or alters your colour treatment, a Colourstart Passport will be your best option.

To get your Colourstart passport, you will need to register for your Passport via the Colourstart website. Once you have answered the initial few questions, you will be prompted to buy and apply your Colourstart test patch following the instructions in the video below. Once you have received your results, upload them to your online passport and share your results with Halo Westcliff. Once you have created your passport and completed your first test, subsequent colour treatments require you to answer the screening questions only – therefore testing may not be necessary unless something changes (such as pregnancy or changes in medication). Your Colourstart Passport will confidentially store your records.

FAQ’s

How much is Colourstart and where do I buy it?
Signing up and ongoing screening on the Colourstart Passport is free, however, you will need to buy a test priced at £15. You can buy it from Salon Love, a hair-product retailer which supplies all Halo’s product, or directly from Colourstart as you register for your passport.
 

Why does Halo prefer this method for screening for colour allergies?
Using a Colourstart Passport allows your results to be stored in one place. From our perspective, if you choose to share your result with us, we can quickly access this and get on with your service with greater ease and fewer barriers, as the need to retest you each time or before any changes to your treatment will be removed, unless any changes occur in your medication or lifestyle. For example, if you have your hair coloured you can easily continue to get your brows tinted on the same Colourstart passport, previously you would need to have a new AAT test. If you are travelling and you need to use a different salon, you can share your passport result with any salon. You can get your service done with little notice, you do not have to wait 48 hours for a skin test as our previous testing method required.  
 

Once I get my Colourstart passport, is that the only time I need to test myself?
The results from your Colourstart test last for 120 days, so you will need to test yourself much less than the current method, but it won’t be a one-time test as your bodies sensitivity to allergies may change over time. 

My stylist said Colourstart is not suitable for me – why is that?
If you are pregnant or have active dermatitis you cannot test with Colourstart. You should speak to your stylist about an alternative testing method, such as an in-salon AAT (Allergy Alert Test). Whatever your result, we will be able to help you.

I don’t want a Colourstart Passport, how else can I get tested?
If you don’t want to register for a passport, you can come into the salon and receive an ATT patch test 48 hours before your appointment. This will need to be repeated before any new treatment, just as has been carried out in the past.

How long does an AAT take and how much does it cost?
You will need an AAT appointment at least 48 hours before your colour appointment. It only takes 10 minutes in the salon and is a free test. However, If you are a client who frequently changes or alters your colour treatment a Colourstart Passport will be your best option.
 

Why do I need a skin test?
Reactions to hair colour can be serious and even life-threatening. There are strict guidelines from manufacturers, insurers, industry bodies and the MHRA around using hair colour. We endeavour to give you peace of mind so that you can safely enjoy your visits to the salon.
 

Why don't you test me every time?
We use screening to monitor the need for testing you before your service. If nothing has changed since your last test and we have a valid record (typically within the last 6 months) it will be OK to proceed with your service.

I have been colouring my hair for years, why do I need a test?
One of the triggers for sensitivity and reactions to hair colour is exposure over time, therefore it is important we keep monitoring for your safety. Halo Westcliff is committed to your safety and use only the best products and methods for hair colouring.