Tarah Smeal (@tarahdoeshair), a stylist at Bow + Arrow Salon, Roseville, California, had a challenge . "My client came to me asking to become a blonde," says Smeal, "but more specifically a creamy vibrant blonde. With her previous stylists, she often was left with brassy color and only received chunky highlights instead of getting what she wanted: an all over blonde. She said this was going to be her last time attempting to become a blonde."

Smeal put on a pot of coffee and got busy:

 

Step 1: Apply equal parts of Redken 12 Av 8AA blended with 30 volume developer.

Step 2: Process for minutes and then shampoo and condition. This  will leave a brassy root, "for the moment."

Step 3:  Follow with back to back heavy weaves throughout and balayage any pieces left between with Wella Blondor and 30 volume (blended with and a bond builder.)

Step 4: Process for 30 minutes (to a level 9) and then shampoo and condition.

Step 5: Tone the base with Kenra SV for about 5 minutes.  

Step 6: Rinse and tone the hair with Redken Shades EQ .50 oz 9b .50 oz 8v .25 9n and 1.25 oz of processing solution. 

Cut and blowdry with Enjoy Shaping Lotion and Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum. Flat iron and finish with Kenra Texture Taffy on any flyaways.

The total process took us about 6 hours and that whole pot of coffee! 

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