Neal Malek (@nealmhair) of Educe salon (@educe_salon) of Orlando, FL, says that his client found him on Instagram six months ago and finally called to set up her color correction.

"She lives four hours away in Miami, and was so excited when she finally arrived in Orlando for her appointment," says Malek. "When I saw her hair, I must say, I felt the pressure to perform at a high level since she drove such a ways to see me for her appointment. As we sat down for her consultation, I learned, to my surprise, that she actually wanted a gunmetal grey and silver balayage color melt! I was not expecting that. So, I thoroughly explained the process behind achieving a color like that and I explained to her that it would most definitely take several sessions of lightening, especially since she had pre-existing Feria Red box color in her hair and who know how many other colors she has done to herself!

"After explaining this to her, I asked her if she would be open to some deeper jewel tones like blues and purples. She was totally open to my suggestion which pleased me, since I knew I didn't have to stress the hair by lifting it past a level 10. I thought this was a very realistic goal and told her during any color correction, I like to set a realistic goal, but you just never know what the hair is going to do when you bleach it. So, once we lightened her, we could choose some tones that would suit her best and take it from there."

Here Malek shares the HOW TO:

STEP 1: Apply base to 2-3 inches down using @lorealprous DiaRichesse - 1/2 4N + 1/2 2.10 + 9 volume.

STEP 2:  While processing, balayage large panels with @lorealprous balayage lightener + 40 volume + Olaplex. Cover with plastic wrap. (Weave pieces throughout sections to lowlight with base formula.)

STEP 3: Lift to a level 8-9, approximately 30 minutes. Apply Olaplex #2 for 10 minutes.

STEP 4: Custom mix Pravana Violet + black & blue + teal + black. Quick dry the hair and apply Violet formula from base to lower midshaft melting into the blue formula. Bricklay sections, alternating blue after each row of sectioning.

STEP 5: Process 25 minutes and rinse with cold water only, no shampoo or conditioner. Cut dry ad style with a Croc flat iron.

 

 

 

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