Color Without Compromise: Blondes Shine with Goldwell LightDimensions SilkLift Strong and Colorance
Are your blondes feeling blah? Give ’em a lift with LightDimensions SilkLift Strong
Sponsored by Goldwell
Brightening Up - Going Super Blonde
This client chose her colorist, Amy McManus, after seeing her beautiful work on Instagram. Before coming into the salon, her hair had been previously balayaged, but it still wasn't as light as she wanted it to be. Here's how they made that happen!
December 10, 2016
1/2
2 min to read
Amy McManus (@camouflageandbalayage ) of Trinity Salon in Fitchburg Massachusetts says she has owned the salon "for 9 1/2 years with a team of 8 stylists that are like family. Most of my stylists came to me fresh out of school and have been with me since I opened back in 2007. I'm a 25 year veteran in the industry. I love to balayage and try to learn from the Industry's best such as Guy Tang, Lisa Hart-Walker @Lisalovesbalayage and Jamie Sea @Prettylittleombre."
Here, she shares the details for this very impressive makeover:
"My guest contacted me after seeing my work on Instagram as she loved my work. She drove 45 minutes to come see me from the Boston area. She showed me her inspiration pictures of what she hoped I could give her. She has been balayaged previously but still wasn't as light as she wanted to be."
Step 1: Using a 2 inch chip paint brush as an application brush, apply a blend of Oligo Blacklight Balayage clay lightener and cool toned lightener with 30 volume developer and Olaplex. Place each section into Colortrak meche strips. Feather lightener upwards to help blur previous balayage. "We both really loved her root area the way it was when she came in so I just softened her previous line to create a seamless finish."
Step 2: Process for 30 minutes at room temperature and the last 10 under an infrared heater. Rinse.
Step 3: Tone with Paul Mitchell PM SHINES 9A diluted with clear for 10 minutes on wet hair right at the shampoo bowl. Rinse and treat with Olaplex #2 with Paul Mitchell POPXG in "Steel" to it to add more violet grey into her blonde. Process for 15 minutes.
Step 4: Shampoo with Unwash BioCleansing Conditioner and trim the hair.
Step 5: Apply Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil and Awapuhi Wild Ginger Mirrorsmooth Primer and blow dry the hair with a Dyson Blow Dryer. Spray Paul Mitchell's Hot Off The Press heat protectant in her hair and curled it with Hot Tools 1 1/4" Marcel iron.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Color
ColorFest 2026: The Hair Color Formulas and Creative Techniques Everyone Will Be Talking About
Trending, fool-proof, and fantastic formulas.
4 Express Salon Add-On Services That Boost Revenue and Keep Clients Coming Back
Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassadors Carly Zanoni and Brendnetta Ashley share the express color and treatment services helping stylists deliver great results in under 30 minutes while creating new opportunities for client retention and revenue growth.
by Anne Moratto
PRAVANA Expands HydraGloss Line with Two Red-Violet Shades Inspired by the “Cherry Cola” Trend
As rich red-violet tones continue trending, the brand introduces two new demi shades designed for depth, shine, and dimensional color.
by Staff
Something Special: Amelia Fugitt's Stunning Transformations
In an industry with so many options and opportunities, we asked artists what made them niche down and select a specialty. Amelia Fugitt (@ameliahairmakeup) says choosing to focus on transformations has transformed her career.
The Rise of “Naturals”: How Foundational Shades Are Driving Salon Growth
From gray blending to glossing services, stylists are redefining low-maintenance hair color and building more consistent, profitable salon business.
by Anne Moratto
Shampoo, Rinse, Repeat: Salon Clients Face a Water Cycle Crisis of Mineral Buildup on Hair
Neutralizing the damaging effects of water benefits the hair from texture to shine to color longevity, and it’s the science behind Malibu C products.
Sponsored by Malibu Wellness
Dazzle With Shiny Haircolor
Craft with confidence, challenge your creativity, work from inspiration. Prepare your chair for every canvas with Moroccanoil's expanded color lines and advanced technology.
Sponsored by Moroccanoil
Step-by-Step: How to Create the Modern Ombre
Create a look of quiet luxury with this modern take on ombré, featuring beautiful dimension and depth with strategic pops of blonde around the face and ends. The initial effect is bright and beautiful, with purposefully placed depth creating longevity as the hair grows out.
From Consultation to Correction: Managing Expectations and Getting Color Right
A master colorist on why great hair color is never “simple.”
by Anne Moratto
Meet Wella's New BlondorPlex 9 with Built-In Metal Purifier
Meet the next generation of lightening with cleaner lift, less breakage, and built-in Metal Purifier Technology.
Sponsored by Wella
Oligo Professionnel Redefines At-Home Blonde Hair Care with New Blacklight Blonde Science Product Line
Oligo Professionnel, the Montreal-based hair color powerhouse, expands beyond the salon with a new routine-driven system designed specifically for blondes and those with highlighted hair.
Magical Creatures: Why These Stylists Love Creating Fantasy Hair Color
These stylists practice hairdresser magic, transforming clients into unicorns, mermaids, rainbows and living works of art.
by Anne Moratto
Alysa Liu’s ‘Halo Hair’ Takes Gold on the Ice by Kelsey Miller Using Schwarzkopf Professional
Ahead of the Winter Olympics, Alysa partnered with St. Louis–based color specialist Kelsey Miller to elevate her DIY bleach work into clean, high-contrast halo placements.
Pink Is for Everyone: PRAVANA Launches Sugarcoated VIVIDS Shades
PRAVANA Sugarcoated expands the ChromaSilk VIVIDS line with two new pink shades, Juicy and Crush.
The American Blonde: The Look That Traveled the World
Blonde hair is as All-American as baseball, apple pie, and Stars and Stripes forever. And as America approaches her 250th birthday next year, we celebrate the birth of the Global Blonde.
Follow the Formula: Garnet Flame and Cherry Red
Two reds that get raves, these looks were designed using Alfaparf Milano. Get all the steps, processing, and expert tips to add these recipes to your rotation.
by Anne Moratto