Gina Bottoni (@gina_bott), a colorist and fine artist based at Salon de Beaute, Parsippany, NJ, has acquired skills through art school instruction and applies it to her own hair work "in ways that many do not," she says. "To put it lightly, I am a colorist for the beautiful marriage of art and chemistry that this industry allows artists to experience. I find the fibers of hair to be a sculptural medium that has organic and artificial appeal."

When we saw her beautiful before and after on instagram, we tracked her down to learn more. "Julianna had a majority of her natural color surrounding some faded out out lightened pieces, as well as some random pink strands," says Bottoni.  "She wanted dimension, but to also maintain an all over singular tone that was 'redder'. I did this look because she enjoys bright, vibrant tones, yet she has not had the courage to try any before. This look allowed her to love her hair and feel excitement from seeing the rich red while also having the ability to maintain her base color easily. Her hair lacked luster and needed shine, so rather than balayaging with lightener and then re- toning, I deciding to melt the two initial formulas together."

FORMULAS, all Pravana:

Formula 1 (base): .75 5.5 (5M) .25 5.66 20 volume
Formula 2 (mid to ends) 7.66 20 volume
Formula 3 (gloss) 7.66 zero lift

Step 1: Apply formula 1 to the base.

Step 2: Section the hair into quadrants, and merge formula 1 with formula 2 in a melting technique by taking small sliced sections and saturating formula 2 through to the ends, while dragging the first formula downward into the second.

Step 3: Continue up the circumference of the head to create a balayage effect that reflects light and allows depth to come through from the base.

Step 4:  Process for 40 minutes. Shampoo and towel dry.

Step 5: Apply formula 3  in the sink for ten minutes and then rinse.

 

 

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