Red-Hot Summer Color Formula: How ToLighter and brighter, rich and glossy, shimmering tones—hair color is heating up for the new season. Though red is a staple year-round, longer summer days bring lighter tones, intricate dimension and plenty of shine to summer updates and transitions. In this how to, featured in the April issue of MODERN SALON, Matrix Artistic Director Chrystofer Benson uses a combination of Color Sync, SoRED and Matrix Cream Developer to achieve a flirty summer finish that has edge and sophistication.

The Artist
Chrystofer Benson
Matrix Artistic Director

The Vision
Working with elements of the Urban Art collection from the Matrix Artistic Team and inspired by graffiti artists, Benson’s summer trend is to “frame” in red and do a strong, darker base color.

The Formula
Natural level: 3 darkest brown
Base Formula: 2 oz. Color Sync 3V + 2 oz. 10-volume Matrix Cream Developer
Decolorizing Formula: 2 scoops V-Light Lightener + 2 oz. 20-volume Matrix Cream Developer
Formula A: 2 oz. SoRED RV + 2oz. 10-Volume Matrix Cream Developer
Formula B: 2 oz. SoRED RC + 2 oz. 10-volume Matrix Cream Developer

The Application
Step 1: Decolorize in back triangle and front two side rectangles with Decolorizing formula one-half inch from scalp through ends. Lay foil on top and do not fold foils.
Step 2: Starting in back triangle section, take two back-to-back horizontal slices and apply Formula A 1/2 inch from scalp through ends. Side brush base formula at scalp.
Step 3: Take four horizontal slices, apply Formula B 1/2 inch from scalp through ends. Side brush base formula at scalp.
Step 4: Move to the side section, take two vertical back-to-back slices using Formula A 1/2 inch from scalp through ends. Side brush Base Formula at scalp. Next take 8 back-to-back slices and apply Formula B 1/2 inch from scalp through ends. Side brush Base Formula at scalp. Repeat pattern on opposite side.
Step 5: Apply Base Formula, scalp to ends, to final top triangle section.

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