Terms of Service

These terms describe the current version of The Shade Library. By creating an account or using the service, you agree to these terms.

1. The Service

The Shade Library is a professional reference and client-record platform for hairdressers and colourists. It provides shade-search, cross-brand comparison, colour-theory and client-record features.

The service is developing and may be updated, changed, suspended or discontinued. Features and catalogue content may change over time.

2. Professional Reference Only

Shade information and comparisons are provided as professional reference information. They do not guarantee an identical formula, application result or finished colour across different products, brands, clients or starting conditions.

You remain responsible for:

• Applying your own professional judgement
• Checking current manufacturer instructions and product information
• Completing required allergy-alert, patch and strand testing
• Considering the client's history, hair condition and starting base
• Choosing and applying products safely and lawfully

The Shade Library does not provide medical advice and is not a substitute for manufacturer training, safety instructions or an in-person professional assessment.

3. Your Account

You are responsible for:

• Providing accurate account information
• Keeping your password and account access secure
• Activity carried out through your account
• Not sharing access with unauthorised users

4. Free Trial and Subscription

New accounts currently receive a seven-day free trial without a payment card. An active subscription is required after the trial's recorded expiry time to continue using protected features.

Checkout, payment collection and subscription administration are handled by Lemon Squeezy. The price, billing period, taxes and renewal terms shown at checkout form part of the subscription purchase.

Subscriptions renew automatically until cancelled. When cancellation is available through the account, access normally continues until the end of the current paid billing period. Refunds are not guaranteed and are handled according to the checkout terms and applicable law.

5. Client and User Data

You retain responsibility for the client records, formulas and other information you enter. You allow the service and its providers to store and process that information only as needed to provide, secure and administer the platform.

You must have an appropriate reason and any permission required to enter client information. Do not enter information that is unnecessary, unlawful or that you are not authorised to store.

6. Acceptable Use

You must not:

• Use the service for an unlawful or harmful purpose
• Attempt to bypass authentication, access controls or usage limits
• Access another user's account or client records
• Upload malicious code or interfere with service operation
• Use automated tools to scrape, copy or extract the shade catalogue
• Reverse engineer or attempt to reconstruct the matching system
• Resell, republish or distribute protected service content

7. Intellectual Property and Brand Names

The Shade Library's software, design, original content, catalogue structure, classifications and matching system are protected service assets and may not be copied or redistributed without permission.

Manufacturer names, product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Their appearance in the service does not imply sponsorship, partnership or endorsement.

8. Availability and Accuracy

The service is provided on an as-available basis. Reasonable care is taken when maintaining the platform and catalogue, but uninterrupted availability, error-free operation, completeness and permanent data retention are not guaranteed.

Manufacturer information can change. Users should confirm current product availability, instructions and technical information before relying on a catalogue entry.

9. Responsibility and Liability

To the extent permitted by law, The Shade Library is not responsible for colour results, product reactions, service decisions, client claims, business losses or other outcomes arising from professional decisions made using the reference information in the platform.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

10. Suspension, Cancellation and Data

You may cancel an active subscription through the available account or billing controls. The service may suspend or restrict accounts used in breach of these terms or where access cannot be authorised safely.

Cancelling a subscription does not automatically delete the account or its records. Current data handling is described in the Privacy Policy.

11. Changes to These Terms

These terms may be updated as the service changes. The updated date shown on this page identifies the current version. Continued use after an update means you accept the revised terms.