Balayage For A Dimensional Ash Blonde

"My Color Correction model Holly had previously hightlighted hair that was box dyed over with a level 5," says Ashlee Norman (@ashleenormanhair), a traveling balayage educator based in Valencia, California. "When she came to me it was a muddy faded level 6 brown. First I razor cut her hair from a short layered haircut into a shattered square one-length." Norman used Holly as a demo model for a class.

Here she shares the details for this gorgeous dimensional ash blonde, all with Wella color:

Step 1: Pre-lighten using Wella Blondor mixed 1:4 with 13 volume Color Touch developer for 20 minutes.

Step 2: Apply a shadow tint (6/76 Illumina 1:2 Pastel developer) and then freehand lowlight (7/81 Illumina 1:2 Pastel developer) and balayage highlight ( /89+ Magma 1:1.5 40 volume freelights developer) in Norman's signature #starknotbalayage pattern.

Step 3: Process for 45 minutes. Shampoo.

Step 4: Base break mid-lengths, ends, and hairline with Illumina 9/60 1:2 with Pastel developer. Shampoo again and apply Post Service Treatment.

Step 5: Tone the roots with 7/0 & 8/81 Color Touch 1:2 with 6 volume. Tone the mids and ends with 9/16 & /68 Color Touch 1:2 with 6 volume. Process for 5 minutes. Rinse and Condition with Magma Seal and Care.

Maggie Mulhern

Maggie Mulhern

Beauty and Fashion Director, MODERN SALON

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