Summer Squad: Modern Blonding by L’Oréal Professionnel Artists

We love when artists want to challenge themselves. Such was the case with L’Oréal Professionnel artist Jo Blackwell-Preston who—when it came to models—kept asking for “just one more!” Although Blackwell-Preston, owner of New York City’s Dop Dop salon, was told she could work with one model for this session, she just couldn’t resist as one correction after another walked through the casting door. We had to stop at three—breaking her heart.

Blackwell-Preston knew she was going to have her hands full and pulled in some of her favorite artists to help divide and conquer. Jill Engelsen, national artist for L’Oréal Professionnel and senior stylist at New York City’s Butterfly Salon, and Theresa Adams, L’Oréal Professionnel artist and creative director at Blackwell-Preston’s Dop Dop salon, grabbed their tools and got busy. Each model needed something different, including a variety of techniques including balayage, expert toning and classic foil highlighting.

Blackwell-Preston’s foil technique is quite detailed.

“When doing color I like to do a few slices parallel to the hairline, moving into a textured weave in the interior, working up to micro light on the part line,” she says. “This allows for great saturation of color and ease of distribution in correcting bases without a solid line of demarcation. A key for correction is working on dry hair. Only one thing can occupy space at one time so I don’t want to dilute my color by working on damp hair.”

Adams focused on the men.

“Male clients normally do what they’re told,” Adams says. “Male clients want the why behind what you are doing. When you break down the why and they feel confident, they will be your client for life. They always book their next appointment and show up on time.”

Hair: Jo Blackwell-Preston
Assistants: Jill Engelsen and Theresa Adams
Photographer: Roberto Ligresti
Makeup: David Maderich
Fashion stylist: Rod Novoa
Manicure: Gino Trunzo for Essie