COLOR CORRECTION: Addressing Gray For That Perfect Blonde Blend

Janel Latessa (@hairbyjanellatessa), owner/master stylist at JL Hair Artistry, Mayfield Heights., Ohio, says her new client “was referred by her sister who I have been doing for years. She kept telling her ‘she loves blondes please go to her!’ Finally she scheduled her appointment.” According to Latessa (proudly one of MODERN's TOP 100 of 2019,) the 80% gray at the front/20% at the back made this a bit more of a challenge. “Gray coverage always needs 40 minutes to process," Latessa says. "Covering gray and creating a perfect blonde in one service is difficult. Keep clean and work slow so make sure you have the full time!”

Here Latessa shares the details for this four hour correction:

STEP 1: Apply to the front and top root area Lakmé Collage color 30g9/0 15g9/3 with 20 volume developer (for the more resistant gray hairline) and 15g 9/0 30g9/17 blended with 30 volume developer in back area.

STEP 2:  While processing apply a full head of babylights starting in the back up to just before the front hairline, using a powder lightener with 20 volume developer.

STEP 3: At the front hairline apply “teased” and feathered highlights in back to back foils using the same lightener with 30 volume developer.

STEP 4: To the ends left out of the foils, balayage with Lakmé Clay Lightener. “It has gentle left especially for previously lightened hair but gives you enough left to get that last bit of yellow out.”

STEP 5: At the shampoo bowl gloss with Lakmé Gloss Pearl and 0/00 to seal the cuticle and add shine.

“Needless to say she loved it and pre-booked through the year.”