Tastemakers and Trendsetters: We Chat L’Oreal Professionnel’s Metal Detox with Celebrity Colorist Min Kim
Min Kim
Celebrity hairstylist Min Kim, Global Ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel, is known for her gorgeous hair color and balayage work. We caught up with Kim to learn about her journey in the industry and get her tips on Metal Detox, L’Oréal Professionnel’s latest innovation.
Can you share a little about your journey and how you got into the industry?
I should have known to go to cosmetology school when I was braiding the teacher's hair in school, cutting my friends bangs in the kitchen and plucking everyone's eyebrows during chemistry lab, but I grew up wanting to be a doctor. Then I got to Rutgers University and realized early on it's not where my passion lived. After several years floating around the globe and in different industries I came back to the NYC area and really thought about what I WANTED to do with the rest of my life and decided to go to cosmetology school.
Hair Color by Min Kim
Is there a signature technique you are known for? Are there any projects you are most proud of?
Beachglow balayage is my signature technique, inspired from my childhood growing up on the beach.
Not everyone has had the privilege of presenting on two different stages at the Palais de Tokyo, but I have (for the 110 year anniversary of L’Oréal Professionnel)! Also, landing a role as one of the co-hosts of L’Oréal Professionnel’s Run Le Hair Show is definitely one of my career highs. I went from demonstrating how to do hair to talking about it, so it's a culmination of all of my years of experience rolled into a big talk show format about hair.
Can you share a little about your experience as a L'Oréal Pro Global Ambassador?
It's about inspiring people to want to be better, to do better and in return, to live better. Education, sharing a common goal, elevating people through shows, shoots, and post-Covid digital connection. However, I am looking forward to being able to see all the smiling faces in person and to have more in-person events and projects again!
L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox
What is Metal Detox and is there anything that stylists should know about it before using it? Can you use it with other bonding products?
With 9 patents and 7 years of research, L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox is a pre-treatment spray that removes metals and minerals from inside the hair fiber, leaving hair shinier while preventing breakage. It also works with all color brands, hair types, services and does not require the use of other bonding products.
Which types of clients is it best for? Can you use it on any hair color or is it best for certain colors?
Metal Detox is suitable for all color clients, whether it be for coverage of white hair/global applications, highlights, or balayage. It also doesn't slow down service or add on additional processing times.
What are some of the benefits of Metal Detox and what have clients’ reactions been to the service?
Hair is left softer, shinier and prevents breakage during coloring services.
What can clients do to maintain their Metal Detox at home? Any tips for using the post-color at-home products?
It's recommended to use the at-home care regimen to prevent metals from re-entering the hair shaft. A personal tip I share with all my clients is that even though it's recommended to use the line for the first 2 weeks, they can use it longer if they wish (which most do because it has an amazing scent)!
[Images courtesy of Min Kim/ L’Oréal Professionnel]
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy